There is now a webcam to see the progress on the North Bank Condo project in downtown Columbus.  I watch it first-hand everyday from my window in the Leveque Tower, and it is really something to watch. Here's a link to the webcam:

 

www.northbankcondos.com

We love the North Bank Park. Epecially the fountains.

Business First of Columbus - February 19, 2007

 

AEP, city pledge $20 million for 'Scioto Mile'

Business First of Columbus

- 3:02 PM EST Monday, February 19, 2007

by Kevin Kemper Business First

 

Plans for a park along the Scioto River in downtown Columbus took a big step forward Monday, when American Electric Power Company Inc. and the city pledged a combined $20 million toward the development. Columbus-based AEP said it will work with the city to raise money for elements of the proposed Scioto Mile park.

 

"The concept to develop the riverfront in downtown Columbus is outstanding and long overdue," said American Electric CEO Michael G. Morris said in a release. "This project will help improve the area's attractiveness for economic development, as well as connect open spaces and foster better linkages between the riverfront and downtown."

 

The Scioto Mile will become a system of parkland, bike and pedestrian paths along the Scioto, stretching from North Bank Park on Long Street to the Whittier Peninsula in Brewery District.  American Electric Power and the city will grant $10 million a piece to the Columbus Downtown Development Corp., which is in charge of the project.

 

Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/02/19/daily7.html 

Financing coming together for Columbus riverfront park

February 20, 2007

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio -  The city and American Electric Power each pledged $10 million toward construction of a riverfront park that was first proposed almost five years ago.  The goal is to have the park, which will be built downtown along the Scioto River, finished for the city's bicentennial in 2012.  Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2008, although city and corporate donors must raise an additional $15 million to complete the Scioto Mile project.

 

Mayor Michael Coleman and Michael Morris, AEP's chairman, president and chief executive officer, announced the financial pledges Monday at the Columbus-based utility's headquarters.  The mayor unveiled his plan for the riverfront park when he announced a downtown development initiative in April 2002. The plan hadn't received funding since then because of a tight city budget, but finances have improved, Coleman said.

 

Read more at http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1171975879155370.xml&storylist=cleveland

I love good corporate citizenship.  AEP seems to be following Nationwide's example.

CONSTRUCTION ZONE

Scioto Mile plan calls for green, surprises

Monday, February 26, 2007

Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH 

 

Walking along the Scioto River Downtown using Civic Center Drive may be a bad idea, unless you’re the daring type.  The view across the river is nice, with COSI providing a link between Battelle Park and Bicentennial Park. But only a narrow sidewalk separates pedestrians from the river bridge and the five-lane street, or "freeway," as Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman calls it.

 

The architect of the newest section of the Scioto Mile, a $38 million development that will join the two Downtown parks along the east bank of the river, agrees.  "Right now, it’s not a place you would go back to," said Matthew Urbanski, principal and lead designer for Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. "There’s no comfort, shade, or choice. You walk back and forth on the same path. There’s no place to sit."

 

That will change, beginning next year. The city last week announced a partnership with American Electric Power to help finish the Scioto Mile by building two walkways along the river. The Scioto Mile is referred to as a continuous pathway running from Bicentennial Park up to North Bank Park.  The missing piece now is the link between Bicentennial Park and Battelle Park, where the Santa Maria is anchored. A little more than $3 million is in place for the project from state and federal sources. AEP and the city will seek an additional $15 million in private funds to complete the project, promised by the city’s bicentennial in 2012.

 

Read more at http://dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/26/20070226-B6-00.html

 

 

The title of this thread might need to be changed to "Scioto Mile Park News" since this development is moving south of the Arena District and North Bank Park.

Here's a slightly underexposed update pic. The webcam link that AmericaWestCMH posted above probably gives a better feel of what's going on, but I was out for a walk last night with the new camera.

 

This could definitely use a little sprucing up.  Although I was able to find a few pillars that weren't crumbling into the river...so that's a plus.  :-D

 

 

 

 

A little powerwashing should do the trick, and won't cost a whole lot either.

You axed for 'em...more pics of Columbus.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice.

I'd personally argue that North Bank Park is the first riverfront park that Columbusites actually pay attention to the river.  Certainly Genoa Park is wonderful...but it's across the river from a dead CBD.  North Bank is actually near...well...people and is seemingly more accessible.

^ I agree.  There were dozens of runners, bikers, people out walking around...and <gasp> even a family!

 

I love signs of life.

The problem with Genoa Park, I think, is that they designed it to look aesthetically pleasing from across the river in the CBD, and sort of ignored the whole functionality needed to attract people.

 

Anyway, great pics!

Genoa Park = Confluence of Scioto & Olentangy?

Genoa Park = Confluence of Scioto & Olentangy?

 

Genoa Park = the park (amphitheater) in front of COSI.  It serves its purpose well during the summer festivals, but isn't very inviting during the other 360 days of the year.

Those photos are terrific, thanks Brewmaster!

Darned nice!

Great...thx for sharing!!!  LeVeque is wonderful....if only the other tall bldgs in Cbus were any decent whatsoever!  Thank god that new condo tower is nice, because the other talls in Cbus are hideous!

^I agree with you about the Rhodes tower (is that even the name? I don't know), but I like the Huntington tower, it appears darker here and the angle doesn't give you a good look at the form of the roof.

It is mainly Rhodes that incites that upchuck reflex in me.

^To be fair, every city in Ohio really isn't exactly gleaming with PoMo delights either.  Cincinnati has horrendous skyscrapers aside from Carew and Central Trust.  Scripps is about as interesting as the Huntington Center.  Cleveland is horrendous boxy except for the three tallests (and I really don't care for the BP Tower either...).  Had Ohio had a sort of Atlanta outlook on PoMo, it would've been much better...but we didn't.  Oh well.

^Good point. Although, I think more of Scripps.

^^I think we can all agree that Ohio was pissed on by PoMo architecture...but I think that Rhodes certainly takes the cake in this discussion.  And the bad thing is, is that Rhodes is such a prominent bldg in the Cbus skyline...at least Cincy and Cleveland have their crappy ones hidden somewhat.

Great photos, Brewmaster!  Looks like it was that perfect time of day.

Proof that even an old railroad bridge can look great at sunset.  Great pix Brewmaster !!

Thanks for posting Brewmaster!  They look great!

A few shots I took this evening in North Bank Park just as a rain storm was moving in.

Excellent skyline view.

North Bank Park really is Columbus' first "true" riverfront park, aside from Genoa.

^Bicentennial?

Oh please.  Who goes there besides a festival or two... ;)

Scioto Mile riverfront park update from November that I originally posted in "Columbus: RiverSouth News" at http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1965.30.html.  I should have posted it here but I didn't catch this older thread at the time. 

There is a new website for the Scioto Mile riverfront project at http://www.sciotomile.com.

Hi. Can these threads be merged?

If any of the mods want to merge this thread with the RiverSouth News thread, I won't object.  However, it might make more sense to keep the Riverfront Park News and RiverSouth News thread separate.  Here's my take on it. 

 

The SciotoMile riverfront project and the RiverSouth area are adjacent to each other and do compliment each other.  However, the riverfront park projects and the RiverSouth redevelopment projects are distinctly separate projects with updates, schedules and outcomes that can stand on their own. 

 

- RiverSouth has the Lazarus Building renovation, the parking garage at Front & Rich and proposed residential projects. 

 

- SciotoMile is a compliment to the RiverSouth area, but is really a functionally separate project.  SciotoMile is also an extension of the North Bank Park that was previously done north of it. 

Beautiful!

WOW...... That last rendering is very nice!!! I think we are moving in the right direction C.O.

NEW TOWN-RICH STREET SPAN

Altered design shaves millions off bridge tab

Sunday, March 9, 2008

By Robert Vitale, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The last time Columbus planned for a Downtown bridge over the Scioto River, bids for a Main Street span came in almost $15 million higher than expected.  So here’s a bit of welcome news: When it’s to build a companion bridge between Town and Rich streets, city officials say they’ve found ways to do it for $9.5 million less.

 

By tweaking the design for the bridge connecting the Downtown side of the river with Franklinton, Public Service Director Mark Kelsey said Columbus will get its next big project done cheaper and faster. “We certainly did not break the bank on this project,” he said.  The new design calls for arched concrete ribs under the roadway instead of costlier curved plates of steel. It still has decorative flourishes — five arches and a plaza on the Franklinton side to honor veterans — but the design is less complicated and, therefore, easier to construct, Kelsey said.

 

PREVIOUS BRIDGE DESIGN

 

 

NEW BRIDGE DESIGN

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/09/bridge.ART_ART_03-09-08_B1_LU9JADK.html?sid=101

I think you mixed the pics up. This is a huge waste of $26 million. The Town St bridge was barely used, now they're going to move it closer have it parallel the entire new Main St bridge just a block away, while the Main St bridge is going to be pedestrian-friendly anyway, bridges haven't spurred development in the area. Umm, why are we building this again?

Scioto Mile on track with Messer selected as construction manager

Business First of Columbus

Brian R. Ball Business First

Friday, March 7, 2008

 

Construction of the next phase of the Scioto Mile park through downtown Columbus has moved a bit closer with the selection of a construction manager for the $38 million project. Messer Construction Co. has completed negotiations on the contract to manage the private-public project that includes improvements to Bicentennial Park and features that will make Civic Center Drive more accommodating for pedestrians.

 

Messer and the Columbus Downtown Development Corp., which serves as project developer for the city, expect the project to get under way in May after a ground-breaking in mid-April. Completion is set for fall 2011. Messer executives said the first phase of the project will reduce Civic Center Drive from five southbound lanes to two lanes headed north and two headed south between West Broad and West Rich streets.  One lane of traffic will be maintained during construction.

 

Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/03/10/story15.html

Summer along river is all work, no play

Scioto Mile project, roadwork forces festivals, fireworks to move for now

Thursday, April 10, 2008

By Tim Doulin, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Civic Center Drive is going to be a happening place this summer -- if you prefer heavy machinery and construction over festivals.  Work is under way to transform the east riverfront strip from Bicentennial Park to W. Broad Street into the Scioto Mile, which includes a promenade with benches and swings, bicycle and pedestrian paths, planters and fountains along Civic Center.  To accommodate the work, Civic Center is down to one lane southbound.  Besides inconveniencing drivers, some of the festivals and events traditionally held there are moving elsewhere temporarily, some for at least two years.

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/10/CIVICWORK.ART_ART_04-10-08_B4_LK9SUE6.html?sid=101

Recent Scioto Mile construction photos via Cap City Savvy:

 

 

 

Link: http://capcitysavvy.com/2008/03/30/riversouth-is-under-construction/

http://columbusretrometro.typepad.com/columbus_retrometro/2008/04/community-and-b.html#more

 

Monday, April 14, 2008

Community and Business Leaders to Break Ground on Scioto Mile Park

For Immediate Release

Contact: Mike Brown, City of Columbus, 645-6428

Pat Hemlepp, AEP, 716-1620

Amy Taylor, CDDC, 545-3942

 

Long-held community dream will become reality

 

(Columbus)  The Scioto Mile will be a signature park for the community and will transform the riverfront into an active, urban amenity, attracting people from the entire region.  The park will play an essential role in the revitalization of downtown – attracting and complementing residential development, boosting property values and stimulating commercial growth.  The public and private sectors have joined together in an historic 50-50 funding effort to raise the $38 million to build the Scioto Mile.

 

WHO:

Mayor Michael B. Coleman

Michael Morris, Chairman, President and CEO, AEP

U.S. Representative Deborah Pryce

State Senator Steve Stivers

Franklin County Commission President Marilyn Brown

City Council President Michael Mentel

Guy Worley, President and CEO, CDDC

 

WHAT:

Groundbreaking for the Scioto Mile riverfront park

 

WHEN:

Monday, April 14 11 a.m.

 

WHERE:

Bicentennial Park

Corner of Civic Center Drive and Rich Street

 

 

Work begins on Scioto Mile park project

Business First of Columbus

Monday, April 14, 2008 - 2:25 PM EDT

 

Backers of a $38 million transformation of the downtown Columbus riverfront broke ground on the project Monday, three years ahead of the scheduled opening of the city's Scioto Mile park.  The groundbreaking comes about a month before roadwork is set to begin on Civic Center Drive, which will be transformed from a five-lane, one-way route to a two-way road with two lanes in each direction.  With additional space, the city plans to add a Myers/Schmalenberger Inc.-designed promenade to the road between West Broad and West Rich streets, said Amy Taylor, spokeswoman for Columbus Downtown Development Corp.

 

Another key facet to the park, a central element of the city's move to revitalize downtown in time for its 2012 bicentennial, is a revamped Bicentennial Park featuring a permanent band shell and a fountain.  Taylor said the project is expected to wrap by November 2011.  The next phase of construction, which includes a small canal as part of the promenade as well as construction of the band shell and a glass-walled cafe at Bicentennial Park, is scheduled to begin next year.

 

Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/04/14/daily5.html?surround=lfn

Update on the Main Street Bridge currently under construction next to the Scioto Mile project from XING Columbus http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/.

 

Main St. Bridge Update

XING Columbus

June 2, 2008 by Eric

 

With the recent delivery of a couple arch pieces and a second crane for the Main St. Bridge, it appears that things will start getting interesting in the next week or two.

 

I’m guessing that the cranes will work in concert, with one supporting the bolted on arch pieces, while the other grabs the next section.  The first piece should bolt up with the concrete pedestal on the left half of the picture.  Those two steel supports on the right half (one is obscured by the crane) will likely just support the arch until the tension is added.

 

Read more at http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/main-st-bridge-update/

Eh, not bad.

My last post about the Main Street Bridge construction got me to searching for some renderings of it.  Couldn't find a construction page with the city or county but I did find some renderings from the Harvard professor who designed the concept.

 

 

 

Scioto's bank may go au naturale

Friday, June 6, 2008

BY ROBERT VITALE, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

It wouldn't be the same Scioto that Lucas Sullivant gazed upon, but the Downtown riverfront could get a more natural look in coming years.  City officials are seeking permission from the federal government to tear down a stretch of 80-year-old concrete wall along the eastern bank of the Scioto River.  As part of the Scioto Mile riverfront makeover, they want to recreate an earthen slope from Civic Center Drive down to the water 25 feet below.

 

The Scioto's limestone cage would stay in place north of Town Street, where the bridge is scheduled to come down in 2010.  But between Town and Main Street, where a new bridge is scheduled to open next year, the riverfront would take on a more natural look as part of the $38 million Scioto Mile project.

 

 

 

The city wants to remove a wall along the eastern bank of the Scioto River between Town Street and the Main Street bridge under construction and replace it with a more natural slope.

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/06/riverfront.ART_ART_06-06-08_B8_M2ADUQA.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101