October 21, 20204 yr 23 minutes ago, TH3BUDDHA said: Yea, honestly, they should just take the mesh thing off because it looks ridiculous. It would be better off without it. Even without that it still has a Soviet-instantly-aged look to it-it looks like it is 5 decades old. It looks shabby as hell and that pic of it looks to be on a sunny day too. How did it turn out like this?
October 21, 20204 yr Examples of parking garage exteriors that don’t suck a**. Might start a petition for them to do something better. It’s annoying because I drive past it several times every week.
October 21, 20204 yr This one in Cleveland is a local favorite of mine and I would promote something similar maybe using the roof pattern and colors of the convention center. There is one going up in Chicago in West Loop that is a STUNNING kinetic motion screen. I could watch it for hours... similar to this... which is what we should have gone with if we were aiming for kinetic.
October 22, 20204 yr 5 hours ago, DevolsDance said: Thank you (and to the other examples as well). I knew there was a kinetic garage facade I'd seen before, but I couldn't find it. Our's was an idea that probably sounded great in concept, but turned out like a failed experiment in reality. If they had just done a static version of the mesh cladding to look like the rendering they presented below - that would have been fine:
October 22, 20204 yr ^What would happen is that after events ended is that the platform would fill with vehicles wanting to load out through that ramp in the middle. The garage is supposed to ease that crush. It was pretty chaotic. I haven't worked in the building since Battelle Hall got converted into a ballroom though.
October 23, 20204 yr I also don't understand why it doesn't wrap around the other side of the garage or go one floor lower. I think part of the reason it looks so, so bad is it looks they stopped halfway through installing it. It's just not cohesive.
October 23, 20204 yr 51 minutes ago, 17thState said: I also don't understand why it doesn't wrap around the other side of the garage or go one floor lower. I think part of the reason it looks so, so bad is it looks they stopped halfway through installing it. It's just not cohesive. If it also was just one big piece all the way down, I think it would have looked better also.
January 10, 20223 yr Make it happen, Cap’n! Here's where a Columbus Amtrak station could go if vision for passenger rail comes to fruition “If Amtrak’s vision for establishing passenger rail service between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati becomes a reality, local officials are prepared with a plan for where Columbus’ downtown station would go. The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority envisions a two-level station at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, near the intersection of High Street and Nationwide Boulevard, according to a newly released plan. Convention Facilities Authority Executive Director Don Brown said the plans for the nearly $23 million downtown station, which would be paid for mostly by Amtrak, are conceptual and dependent on Amtrak securing approval to launch the passenger rail service by the state of Ohio, as well as freight operators CSX and Norfolk Southern, which currently control the rail lines themselves. Brown said he has confidence that the Amtrak vision will actually come to fruition. “Number one, Amtrak has the money to do it,” Brown said, referring to the $66 billion it received in the recently passed infrastructure deal. “Number two, Amtrak has prioritized this route. Number three, there’s a strong business case for it. It will generate $130 million of economic growth in the state. That’s why I’m confident.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/01/10/columbus-downtown-amtrak-station.html
January 10, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, amped91 said: Make it happen, Cap’n! Here's where a Columbus Amtrak station could go if vision for passenger rail comes to fruition “If Amtrak’s vision for establishing passenger rail service between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati becomes a reality, local officials are prepared with a plan for where Columbus’ downtown station would go. The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority envisions a two-level station at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, near the intersection of High Street and Nationwide Boulevard, according to a newly released plan. Convention Facilities Authority Executive Director Don Brown said the plans for the nearly $23 million downtown station, which would be paid for mostly by Amtrak, are conceptual and dependent on Amtrak securing approval to launch the passenger rail service by the state of Ohio, as well as freight operators CSX and Norfolk Southern, which currently control the rail lines themselves. Brown said he has confidence that the Amtrak vision will actually come to fruition. “Number one, Amtrak has the money to do it,” Brown said, referring to the $66 billion it received in the recently passed infrastructure deal. “Number two, Amtrak has prioritized this route. Number three, there’s a strong business case for it. It will generate $130 million of economic growth in the state. That’s why I’m confident.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/01/10/columbus-downtown-amtrak-station.html Wow it's pretty awesome to see the city actually being proactive when it comes to some form of public transportation for once. Really hope this one goes through.
January 10, 20223 yr There's gonna be a lot going on at this arrival court if this is the location they choose...
January 10, 20223 yr Good news is that it really is pretty simple project considering how the convention center is already dual-level along the RR tracks there -- the snippet from the article basically says that the existing Starbucks is all that really moves. Now we've just gotta get a train to the airport that is also serviced by this station, and it can all connect at street level with the High Street streetcar!
January 10, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, amped91 said: Make it happen, Cap’n! I think it's a good location. It's not going to be like Zurich's station and it's 2,900 daily trains. Thanks for the heads up amped91, I cross posted this to the Ohio Intercity Railway thread.
January 10, 20223 yr 12 minutes ago, jebleprls22 said: Good news is that it really is pretty simple project considering how the convention center is already dual-level along the RR tracks there -- the snippet from the article basically says that the existing Starbucks is all that really moves. Now we've just gotta get a train to the airport that is also serviced by this station, and it can all connect at street level with the High Street streetcar! Just completely spelling out the dream right there, I hope someday it is reality though. Its kinda wild how this could go from one of the weirdest dead zones along High to a hub of activity between thousands of hotel rooms, multiple levels of transit connections and the convention center... I cant handle this level of excitement on a Monday.
January 10, 20223 yr Gorgeous, and 100% practical. Make it happen, indeed. The cake icing would truly be a COTA commuter line running to this station from the airport, which instantly boosts Columbus's ability to attract conventions and more business because travelers wouldn't have to rent a car or ride a damn bus on 670 just to find their way into town. This would also boost the appeal of living in Gahanna and other east side burbs & neighborhoods, and commuting into town for work, entertainment, etc. Dublin might throw its own hat in from the NW as well. This actually could be the catalyst that puts Columbus on the map as a legit city. I mean, we know it is. And the rest of the world might just finally figure it out too.
January 11, 20223 yr 44 minutes ago, Pablo said: I love how the design team plopped an articulated bus on the cover. Maybe a little foreshadowing??
January 11, 20223 yr If they do put the station there, they have to re-clad the Hyatt. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 11, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, Pablo said: I love how the design team plopped an articulated bus on the cover. COTA was supposed to purchase 6 articulated buses 10+ years ago…not sure what ever happened to that plan. https://news.wosu.org/news/2009-02-10/cota-to-try-out-ultra-long-buses
January 11, 20223 yr 21 hours ago, jebleprls22 said: Good news is that it really is pretty simple project considering how the convention center is already dual-level along the RR tracks there -- the snippet from the article basically says that the existing Starbucks is all that really moves. Now we've just gotta get a train to the airport that is also serviced by this station, and it can all connect at street level with the High Street streetcar! That really would be amazing. Sharing the existing tracks among Amtrak and the freight traffic from CSX and Norfolk Southern sounds like it is going to be a difficult task, though. Not sure how much more track they'd be willing to give up for local transit to the airport and other places. I wish the proposal from several years ago to build a new freight rail yard outside the center city for CSX/Norfolk would've come to fruition, or could be put back on the front burner. Those freight trains really get no benefit going through downtown. In fact, I think they have to slow down quite a bit going under the convention center; there was a derailment there a decade or two ago. I also wonder how this would meld with the proposed multi-modal facility at the current Greyhound bus station. It would be nice to have some kind of free shuttle connection along High St. and/or 3rd St. to connect both nodes to better facilitate transit across the region. The multimodal facility might also serve as a better hub for local bus and rail transit rather than trying to squeeze that all in under the convention center. All in all, though, it's incredibly exciting to see this plan being put forth. It really rekindles hope to see passenger rail service in Columbus in my lifetime! Edited January 11, 20223 yr by CMHOhio
January 11, 20223 yr 13 hours ago, .justin said: COTA was supposed to purchase 6 articulated buses 10+ years ago…not sure what ever happened to that plan. https://news.wosu.org/news/2009-02-10/cota-to-try-out-ultra-long-buses Might have gotten axed in the 2009-2010 citywide budget cuts that wiped out the streetcar/light rail plan.
January 11, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, CMHOhio said: It would be nice to have some kind of free shuttle connection along High St. and/or 3rd St. to connect both nodes to better facilitate transit across the region. You mean, like a... "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 11, 20223 yr Not to be a Debbie downer, but I think convincing CSX and Norfolk Southern will still be the catch. They have quickly shot down any such idea in the past and unless the federal government pulls out some eminent domain leverage or has some special upper hand, I still think it's going to be alot harder to convince them than Mr. Brown projects. Study upon study for regional transit hasn't convinced them to give up any land or right of way to my knowledge. A North South line along 71 is a no brainer but they have shot those ideas down too. And I'm not sure many people realize just how heavily those tracks are utilized on a daily basis. It's not just a couple trains a day. It can be multiple large trains an hour and while Amtrak *should* barely be a blip on the radar with as little service as it will get, CSX and NS may still be reluctant. Unless there is a way to start rerouting the freight rail lines around the city instead of through it, it's likely going to be a long battle. Perhaps he does have something in his back pocket but leaders have projected these ideas before and there's been no movement. I'd also echo the idea of a hub. As cool as an amtrak station at the convention center sounds, and as ridiculously easy for me to use it would be, part of me wants a better mutimodal hub that doesn't require as much piecemealing. But without a whole of system approach and a boat load of money to implement it, we will have to take what we can get I suppose.
January 11, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, DTCL11 said: And I'm not sure many people realize just how heavily those tracks are utilized on a daily basis. It's not just a couple trains a day. It can be multiple large trains an hour and while Amtrak *should* barely be a blip on the radar with as little service as it will get, CSX and NS may still be reluctant. Unless there is a way to start rerouting the freight rail lines around the city instead of through it, it's likely going to be a long battle. This is what I'm worried about as well. Back in 2003 when COTA was proposing their Fast Trax light rail line from downtown to Polaris along the freight tracks next to I-71, they got as far as a MOU with CSX and Norfolk Southern: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2003/10/13/daily19.html I recall also, but can't find any source, that a plan was also floated to build new tracks and a facility for the two freight companies somewhere in Delaware or Union Co. so that the freight lines that run through the core of the city could be opened for regional and local rail. 20 years later we're still trying to figure out a way to appease the freight companies in order to get passenger rail service back in Columbus.
January 11, 20223 yr Very valid points by @DTCL11regarding the potential pushback by NS and CSX as well as limitations of the location. Regarding issues with NS and CSX, it wouldn't surprise me if talks have already been occurring to figure out a workaround. It would obviously take a lot of work to find a solution for all parties, but it's definitely something that would have already been considered. In terms of limitations of the site, I agree. I wonder if a better option in the long term would be to build a "Central Station" on the east surface lot off Nationwide between 3rd and 4th. You could probably fit 2 or 3 platforms which would allow for future route expansion. It seems the lot is long enough for a train to pull off, but I don't know that for sure.
January 12, 20223 yr Study: Amtrak Station, New Plaza Could be Added to Convention Center Plans have been drawn up to build a train station on High Street, something that hasn’t existed in Columbus since the 1970s. Whether or not the station is actually built will depend on the fate of the latest plan to connect Ohio’s three largest cities with passenger rail. In response to some promising news on that front, last summer the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) commissioned a study to look at the feasibility of building an Amtrak station near the convention center. The results of that study were presented to the authority’s development committee on January 4. “This is a high-level feasibility study, aimed at understanding the big picture issues surrounding bringing a new station to Columbus,” said Stephen Van Dyck, a partner at LMN Architects, during a presentation to the committee. “I’m pleased to say, to give you a spoiler, we do think this is a feasible project, and it’s very exciting.” More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/study-amtrak-station-new-plaza-could-be-added-to-convention-center-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 27, 20223 yr https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/01/25/convention-center-look-name-sale-boost-revenue/9210927002/ "The Greater Columbus Convention Center will consider changing its name to make money off naming rights. " Yikes, not a fan of this. I'm sure the pandemic has squeezed finances, but this seems like a bad idea. At this point people expect stadiums to have some dumb brand name splashed across it. But the convention center is the intro to the city for a lot of people, I have to imagine that having your introduction at "The Greater Columbus Convention Center" leaves a better impression than the hypothetical "White Castle Convention Center of Columbus Brought to you by Encova Insurance"
January 27, 20223 yr ....though if they DID add a White Castle to that food court, I wouldn't be mad. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 27, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, 17thState said: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/01/25/convention-center-look-name-sale-boost-revenue/9210927002/ "The Greater Columbus Convention Center will consider changing its name to make money off naming rights. " Yikes, not a fan of this. I'm sure the pandemic has squeezed finances, but this seems like a bad idea. At this point people expect stadiums to have some dumb brand name splashed across it. But the convention center is the intro to the city for a lot of people, I have to imagine that having your introduction at "The Greater Columbus Convention Center" leaves a better impression than the hypothetical "White Castle Convention Center of Columbus Brought to you by Encova Insurance" Value City Convention Center coming right up.
January 27, 20223 yr 16 hours ago, 17thState said: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/01/25/convention-center-look-name-sale-boost-revenue/9210927002/ "The Greater Columbus Convention Center will consider changing its name to make money off naming rights. " Yikes, not a fan of this. I'm sure the pandemic has squeezed finances, but this seems like a bad idea. At this point people expect stadiums to have some dumb brand name splashed across it. But the convention center is the intro to the city for a lot of people, I have to imagine that having your introduction at "The Greater Columbus Convention Center" leaves a better impression than the hypothetical "White Castle Convention Center of Columbus Brought to you by Encova Insurance" Cincinnati has already done this with their convention center, the Duke Energy Center. If selling naming rights provides the convention center added revenue that allows it to be bigger and better, who cares what the name is. It's not like some association will refuse to have their convention in Columbus because of the building's name.
January 27, 20223 yr 5 minutes ago, Mogilny89 said: Cincinnati has already done this with their convention center, the Duke Energy Center. If selling naming rights provides the convention center added revenue that allows it to be bigger and better, who cares what the name is. It's not like some association will refuse to have their convention in Columbus because of the building's name. Huntington in Cleveland
January 27, 20223 yr 14 hours ago, John7165 said: Value City Convention Center coming right up. The name "Value City Arena" still makes me cringe.
January 27, 20223 yr 18 hours ago, 17thState said: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/01/25/convention-center-look-name-sale-boost-revenue/9210927002/ "The Greater Columbus Convention Center will consider changing its name to make money off naming rights. " Eh, blah. It is what it is. I am not a huge fan of naming rights in general but I understand the realities arenas/stadiums/convention centers face. It's always a tossup because naming rights can be casual like Nationwide or get confusing like the LC/ Express Live/Kemba Live... Imagine The Worthington Industries Convention Center Columbus. If they want to do it, whatever, just find a sponsor who will sign loooonnnnggg term and is a Columbus brand since it's a civic structure that represents the city. Edited January 27, 20223 yr by DevolsDance
January 27, 20223 yr 53 minutes ago, DevolsDance said: Eh, blah. It is what it is. I am not a huge fan of naming rights in general but I understand the realities arenas/stadiums/convention centers face. It's always a tossup because naming rights can be casual like Nationwide or get confusing like the LC/ Express Live/Kemba Live... Imagine The Worthington Industries Convention Center Columbus. If they want to do it, whatever, just find a sponsor who will sign loooonnnnggg term and is a Columbus brand since it's a civic structure that represents the city. So you're saying you want the Safelite Center. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 27, 20223 yr 23 minutes ago, ColDayMan said: So you're saying you want the Safelite Center. No, I want The Slider Center or Jeni's Splendid Center. These are the only acceptable options! I hope you're listening Convention people! Edited January 27, 20223 yr by DevolsDance
January 27, 20223 yr 3 hours ago, CMHOhio said: The name "Value City Arena" still makes me cringe. What's a 3 point shot worth in Value City Arena? $2.99! 🤣 I'll show myself out.....
January 19, 20232 yr Nothing super exciting proposed for Downtown, but the Drury is proposing a renovation.
January 19, 20232 yr Can we counter propose a redevelopment of the site? Lol Edit: on a more serious note, it is city land. I wonder what the conditions of the land lease are that may hinder or promote convincing someone to redevelop the property. Doesn't need to be a Hilton 3.0, but something that utilizes the space better, and has more functionality and perhaps uses the new garage behind rather than its own garage. Edited January 19, 20232 yr by DTCL11
January 19, 20232 yr 24 minutes ago, DTCL11 said: Can we counter propose a redevelopment of the site? Lol Edit: on a more serious note, it is city land. I wonder what the conditions of the land lease are that may hinder or promote convincing someone to redevelop the property. Doesn't need to be a Hilton 3.0, but something that utilizes the space better, and has more functionality and perhaps uses the new garage behind rather than its own garage. Yeah, a complete tear down and rebuild would be the better option. Maybe the commission will ask that, but I doubt it.
January 19, 20232 yr Honestly the new design proposed for the Drury is an improvement but yeah, overall the hotel is a waste for a prime spot literally on the CC block. Really I want both the Drury and Siesta to modernize or completely redevelop. Both properties feel out of place at this point and are wildly underutilized. However, I will be happy to see the peaked roof go.
January 19, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, VintageLife said: Nothing super exciting proposed for Downtown, but the Drury is proposing a renovation. Lipstick on a pig.
January 19, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, DTCL11 said: Can we counter propose a redevelopment of the site? Lol Edit: on a more serious note, it is city land. I wonder what the conditions of the land lease are that may hinder or promote convincing someone to redevelop the property. Doesn't need to be a Hilton 3.0, but something that utilizes the space better, and has more functionality and perhaps uses the new garage behind rather than its own garage. The lease should be publicly accessible if anyone knows how to file an FOIA request. On that Downtown Strategic Plan website where you could place project ideas on a map I mentioned this site (including the Ohio Center and garage). Woefully underused, and just plain ugly. Side note, why are we in this thread instead of the Convention Center thread? Edited January 19, 20232 yr by aderwent
January 20, 20232 yr Judging by those elevations it looks like the hotel is being upgraded through the renovations from merely a "Drury Inn & Suites" to a "Drury Plaza Hotel" - now sure, it's not the Ritz but that is at least their relatively upscale and more full-service hotel brand So while I'd love to see the site redeveloped entirely, we're at least getting a bit of a service upgrade over the existing hotel vs a purely cosmetic renovation
January 20, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, aderwent said: Side note, why are we in this thread instead of the Convention Center thread? Because I didn’t know where this should be posted.
June 18, 2024Jun 18 Putting this here as it includes a build out of a new space. Smith and Wollensky is moving to the Hyatt. It'll have a High Street-facing space with a patio: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/06/18/smith-wollensky-arena-district-hyatt-columbus.html
June 18, 2024Jun 18 36 minutes ago, aderwent said: Putting this here as it includes a build out of a new space. Smith and Wollensky is moving to the Hyatt. It'll have a High Street-facing space with a patio: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/06/18/smith-wollensky-arena-district-hyatt-columbus.html That area has so many steakhouses, I’m curious how it will do right there. I like that they are making the Hyatt property better though.
June 19, 2024Jun 19 On 6/18/2024 at 12:22 PM, VintageLife said: That area has so many steakhouses, I’m curious how it will do right there. I like that they are making the Hyatt property better though. It’s because of the business traffic from conventions and trade shows, everyone in their brother has to go to one during those for some reason.
June 19, 2024Jun 19 On 6/18/2024 at 11:44 AM, aderwent said: Putting this here as it includes a build out of a new space. Smith and Wollensky is moving to the Hyatt. It'll have a High Street-facing space with a patio: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/06/18/smith-wollensky-arena-district-hyatt-columbus.html I was really putting my money on this showing up at the Peninsula, but I guess AD makes sense too.
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