Now this is how High Street infill across from OSU should be done.  I hope this project moves forward.  Here's more about that updated Lane & High project from CU:

 

http://www.columbusunderground.com/lane-and-high-development-bw1-2

 

 

And speaking of quality High Street infill across from OSU.  Two blocks south of Lane & High is the recently completed View on High mixed-use project (aka the Wendy's replacement building).  The View on High has a website and here are a few high-res pics of the completed project from http://theviewonhigh.com/:

 

 

 

DAYTIME VIEW FROM 18TH & HIGH OF THE GROUND FLOOR WENDY'S

 

DAYTIME VIEW FROM WOODRUFF AVENUE & HIGH STREET

Yeah, more Wendy's infill...less Highpoint.

Late November 2015 photos of the Ninth & High renovation project from http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-november-2015-part-2:

 

Rowhouse on West Ninth Avenue:

 

Apartment Building at High Street and Ninth Avenue:

Very good.

OSU's East Regional Chilled Water Plant - which was completed last year - was featured in the latest issue of Architectural Record.  Here are a couple of photos from http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11547-the-ohio-state-east-regional-chilled-water-plant:

 

 

 

More photos at http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11547-the-ohio-state-east-regional-chilled-water-plant

Mid-March 2016 photo of the Ninth & High renovation project from http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-university-district.  This photo shows the High Street portion of the apartment building at West Ninth Avenue and High Street.  Previous Nov. 2015 photo showing the Ninth Avenue portion of this apartment building and the Ninth Avenue rowhouse were posted here:

Mid-March 2016 construction photo of the four-story, 45-unit student apartment building on Lane Avenue next to Tommy's Pizza - previous January 2016 update posted here.  Photo from http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-university-district:

 

Couple more photos of the on-going construction at the North Campus Residential District on the OSU campus from http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-university-district:

 

High Street looking north toward Lane Avenue:

 

Lane Avenue west of High Street:

Mirror Lake amphitheater to get $700,000 in renovations

 

 

A Mirror Lake landmark is set for hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations.

 

The Browning Amphitheater at Ohio State University will receive about $700,000 of restoration work.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2016/03/mirror-lake-amphitheater-to-get-700-000-in.html

Mershon Auditorium saved? Ohio State recommending renovation over demolition

 

 

Mershon Auditorium should not be demolished, Ohio State University officials have concluded, recommending instead the campus landmark be renovated as the school develops its High Street arts district.

 

Ohio State trustees have been considering two options for an extensive overhaul of the area west of 15th Avenue and High Street. The biggest question mark was Mershon's future. One option called for its demolition and replacement with a facility for the Ohio State Theatre Department. The other kept Mershon but with renovations and a new building wrapping around it.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/04/04/mershon-auditorium-saved-ohio-state-recommends.html

^I am glad to hear that Hughes Hall may be saved as well. I like Hughes more than Mershon, personally.

Ohio State needs $50M worth of parking garages to replace surface lots

 

 

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will need a new parking garage – or two – and still won't be able to replace all the parking spots it will lose to the relocation of Cannon Drive, university planning officials say.

 

The medical center is asking university trustees to approve $600,000 Friday to hire an architect for a project estimated at $50 million to replace the lost spots, although details are sparse.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/04/07/ohio-state-needs-50m-worth-of-parking-garages-to.html

Those are big tailgating lots. I wonder if people will complain about losing them.

It's not a construction project, but I've always marveled at the scale of big Spring graduation held in Ohio Stadium.  Here are links to a couple of reports on this year's record-setting Spring event.  11,235 students accepted their diplomas with over 7,900 bachelors degrees, 1,700 masters degrees and 880 professional degrees in a graduating class representing 97 different countries and six continents:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/05/08/osu-commencement.html

 

http://www.columbusunderground.com/record-setting-11235-students-graduate-from-osu

 

---

Also a couple of photos that show the scale of the graduation ceremony - with a ton more photos at http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/05/08/osu-commencement.html:

 

Grads walking from French Field House to Ohio Stadium:

 

Grads filing into Ohio Stadium:

Okay, now for the University Area construction projects.  And there's alot going on in two different areas.  Here are the south area April 30 photos from http://www.columbusunderground.com/osu-campus-construction-photos:

 

(Cross-posted in the South Campus Gateway thread:  http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,9206.msg771846.html#msg771846 and http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,9206.msg783855.html#msg783855)

 

South:  Along High Street between 8th & 9th Avenues.  Land being cleared for an Edwards 5-story, 140-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail and structured parking.  Over 300-units of other Edwards apartments are under construction along 8th Avenue to the right and between 8th & 9th around a parking garage:

 

South:  Construction of the 5-story building along High Street cannot begin until this 60-unit affordable housing project, to be operated by the Columbus Housing Network, is completed.  CHN sold a smaller apartment building along High Street to Edwards in exchange for this new building:

 

South:  Northwest corner of 9th & High - across the street from the future Edwards 5-story building.  Renovation continuing on the three-story apartment building at the corner and the two-story rowhouse along W. 9th Avenue:

Here are the north area April 30 photos from http://www.columbusunderground.com/osu-campus-construction-photos:

 

North:  High Street looking north toward Lane Avenue.  North Residential Dorms being built on the OSU Campus:

 

North:  Turning onto Lane Avenue looking west.  More North Residential Dorms being built on the OSU Campus:

 

North:  Across Lane Avenue from the OSU campus, the 45-unit "Doric on Lane” apartment building under construction next to Tommy's Pizza:

Ohio State seeing 'significant' cost overruns for Covelli Arena

 

Two major pieces of Ohio State University’s new athletics corridor are each $10 million over budget, giving administrators pause before approving construction.

 

The Covelli Multi-Sport Arena, which would house teams playing at St. John Arena, and the Student-Athlete Development Center are budgeted at $30 million and $32 million, respectively, and each are seeing large cost overruns, Ohio State officials said Thursday at committee meetings ahead of Friday’s board of trustees meeting.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/06/02/ohio-state-seeing-significant-cost-overruns-for.html

 

:|

Take that money and just renovate St. John Arena.  The proposed Covelli looked awful, imo.

Campus Partners announced the 15th and High project. It looks pretty good. Funny that they're mimicking historic buildings with the new construction but demolishing the few historic buildings. The Edwards piece at 16th remains the weakest architecturally.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/06/17/first-look-ohio-state-unveils-dramatic-overhaul.html

Campus Partners announced the 15th and High project. It looks pretty good. Funny that they're mimicking historic buildings with the new construction but demolishing the few historic buildings. The Edwards piece at 16th remains the weakest architecturally.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/06/17/first-look-ohio-state-unveils-dramatic-overhaul.html

 

 

In that article someone was quoted as saying the Wexner Center was built in the 'late nineties'..uh..about a decade off..it was built late 80's opened 1989.

 

I want the hotel 'centerpiece' to(of course) be a bit taller lol. And they are demo'ing every. single. building. Not even a facade will be preserved apparently unless some developer really wants to save one. Oh well.

Much better than I expected, if you're going to take away so many memories for so many people it had to look like this or we were going to raise hell.

Slideshow: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/06/17/first-look-ohio-state-unveils-dramatic-overhaul.html#g1

 

Campus Partners Unveils Plans for 15th & High Development

 

 

 

Representatives from Campus Partners and The Ohio State University announced their full plan for the large-scale redevelopment surrounding the 15th Avenue and High Street intersection in the University District.

 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide connectivity between the university and the community,” said Keith Myers, Ohio State’s associate vice president for Planning and Real Estate and chair of the Campus Partners Board. “A signature public space east of High Street, soon to be known as University Square, will complement Ohio State’s dynamic arts district on the west side of High Street.”

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/campus-partners-unveils-plans-for-15th-high-development

Five-Story Lane and High Development Approved

 

Schiff Properties received approval last night from the University Review Board to build a five-story mixed-use development at the southeast corner of Lane Avenue and High Street.

 

The new building will feature 69 apartments, 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a parking garage with space for 150 cars.

 

http://www.columbusunderground.com/five-story-lane-and-high-development-approved-bw1

 

 

Ohio State campus getting 'iconic' 75-foot clock tower

 

 

Ohio State University will add a signature tower as the centerpiece for its north campus redevelopment.

 

Central Ohio businessman Tom W. Davis is donating $1.4 million for a 75-foot tall clock tower in the public square between Lane and Woodruff avenues.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/06/28/ohio-state-campus-getting-iconic-75-foot-clock.html

Lots of interesting stuff going on along High Street next to OSU.  The five-story Lane & High project - which will finally replace that decommissioned Shell station at the corner - will be a dramatic improvement!!

 

Across the street from the Lane & High project, OSU's North Residential District transformation continues.  Some of the dorm building are finished, but a few are still under construction.  Estimated completion date is this fall semester.  Below is a recent aerial photo of the North Residential District looking westward that was on one of architectural firms involved in the project.  More North Residential District photos available at http://sca-ae.com/project/the-ohio-state-university-north-residential-district/:

^^ That 75-foot tall clock tower project looks intriguing too.  The clock tower idea is a sound one.  And the description in the Business First article - about re-using the four carved tablets that were previously on the Main Library but were removed during the 2009 renovation and having a video screen for campus messaging - makes the clock tower project sound more interesting then the mediocre rendering produced for it.  Below is the site plan that was included with the Business First article at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/06/28/ohio-state-campus-getting-iconic-75-foot-clock.html.  The clock tower would be located at the plaza labeled "Town Square" that is surrounded by the North Recreation Center, Nosker House and Scott House:

And finally, the biggest future High Street project: 15 + High (aka Central Campus Gateway).  That's not what OSU is calling it, but it does kinda seem like the 21st-century version of South Campus Gateway.

 

Prior to these new renderings for 15th & High, the only indications for this project were some generalized site plans.  Then the Edwards 16th/17th & High building plans were revealed a few months ago.  At the time it seemed like a perplexing tabula rasa project that didn't fit into the overall context.  However, with these new renderings, it becomes clear how the Edwards 16th to 17th project fits into the university's plans for 15th & High.  Even if one disagrees with the tabula rasa approach that is taken here, it does create a cohesive urban design plan for this central campus gateway.

 

It also blurs the current strong demarcation line on High Street separating town from gown.  I like this aspect of the 15th & High plan the best.  In rendered form it comes through clearly.  The aerial rendering below is a view from the campus looking east toward a remade High Street from 14th to 17th Avenues:

 

The aerial rendering below is a view from east of High Street at the proposed 15th & High plaza - looking west toward a remade campus-side plaza and the Oval.  The tower portion of the Main Library is visible in the distance:

 

The tower portion of a hotel proposed next to 15 & High plaza attempts to create a counterpoint to the Main Library tower across the distance of the Oval.  It's a good attempt.  However, as was pointed out earlier, the hotel tower could stand to be taller if it wishes to achieve this:

I only graduated six years ago but it's basically an entirely different campus from then.  I hated the 15th Gateway project when it was first announced but those renderings do look really good.  Just hope that some of the finer college dive bars that are being forced to move can find new locations somewhere around campus.  Also are they buying up all the fraternity and sorority houses on 15th?  Or are they just sprucing up the street and leaving all the existing houses there? 

^ Looks like all the fraternity and sorority houses on 15th are staying and they're sprucing up the street.  Below is the site plan released along with all the other renderings for the 15th + High project:

 

The Beta Theta Pi house at the southeast corner of 15th and Indianola has been demolished and will be rebuilt.

https://ca.columbus.gov/CA/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Engineering&capID1=14LAC&capID2=00000&capID3=00900&agencyCode=COLUMBUS

Proposal for University District Would Set New Height Limits

 

 

The City of Columbus is moving ahead with plans to change the zoning code to better reflect recommendations made in the University District Plan. That plan was adopted in 2015 after more than a year’s worth of community meetings, but discrepancies between its recommendations and existing zoning (which the plan did not change) have been an issue in a neighborhood that is seeing many large-scale development proposals.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/proposal-for-university-district-would-set-new-height-limits-bw1

Demolition Set to Begin Soon at High & 16th in University District

 

 

Construction fencing has gone up, lane closures are in effect and the entire block between 16th Avenue and 17th Avenue is scheduled for demolition.

 

The first set of eight buildings — which stretches from the former Huntington Bank to the former Bernie’s Bagels & Deli — will be coming down soon to make way for a six-story mixed-use apartment and retail building from Edwards Communities. As previously reported, the new building will include a 161-unit apartment facility that will house up to 448 students, on top of 50,000 square feet of ground floor retail and a 171-space parking garage.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/demolition-set-to-begin-soon-at-high-16th-in-university-district

Those are big tailgating lots. I wonder if people will complain about losing them.

 

Washington, Tennessee, and Wisconsin tailgate on boats in a body of water (Lake Union, Cumberland River, Lake Mendota). At Ole Miss, tailgating is concentrated to one quad on campus that's become famous for legendary tailgating.

 

I really wish our tailgating wasn't just in parking lots, which I see as a lame vestige of typical no-frills B1G Ten football. It's 2016 and football is all about the frills, or else it's boring.

Demolition Set to Begin Soon at High & 16th in University District

 

 

Construction fencing has gone up, lane closures are in effect and the entire block between 16th Avenue and 17th Avenue is scheduled for demolition.

 

The first set of eight buildings — which stretches from the former Huntington Bank to the former Bernie’s Bagels & Deli — will be coming down soon to make way for a six-story mixed-use apartment and retail building from Edwards Communities. As previously reported, the new building will include a 161-unit apartment facility that will house up to 448 students, on top of 50,000 square feet of ground floor retail and a 171-space parking garage.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/demolition-set-to-begin-soon-at-high-16th-in-university-district

 

Farewell, buildings filled with nostalgia and character.

Demolition Set to Begin Soon at High & 16th in University District

 

 

Construction fencing has gone up, lane closures are in effect and the entire block between 16th Avenue and 17th Avenue is scheduled for demolition.

 

The first set of eight buildings — which stretches from the former Huntington Bank to the former Bernie’s Bagels & Deli — will be coming down soon to make way for a six-story mixed-use apartment and retail building from Edwards Communities. As previously reported, the new building will include a 161-unit apartment facility that will house up to 448 students, on top of 50,000 square feet of ground floor retail and a 171-space parking garage.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/demolition-set-to-begin-soon-at-high-16th-in-university-district

 

Farewell, buildings filled with nostalgia and character.

 

The only one's filled with nostalgia & character are those shown in the picture.  The Huntington Bank building is a hideous 70s/80s building and everything behind Charlies and where Evolved looks condemned.  I was extremely opposed to this before I saw what the result is going to be and now I have come to terms that I will no longer be able to revisit my Too's and O-Patio days and see a random bdsm photographer taking pictures in the back hallway of Bernie's.

I'm really going to miss Toos, Chumley's, the O, and Mama's. I even went back last month to get my last tidal wave shot on film, haha.

Too's was my favorite campus area bar. Sad to see it go! These new plans for this area look nice, but unless they're executed extremely well and with first rate materials, I fear it will look generic, cheap, and bland like so many campus-adjacent developments nationwide.

Demolition Set to Begin Soon at High & 16th in University District

 

 

Construction fencing has gone up, lane closures are in effect and the entire block between 16th Avenue and 17th Avenue is scheduled for demolition.

 

The first set of eight buildings — which stretches from the former Huntington Bank to the former Bernie’s Bagels & Deli — will be coming down soon to make way for a six-story mixed-use apartment and retail building from Edwards Communities. As previously reported, the new building will include a 161-unit apartment facility that will house up to 448 students, on top of 50,000 square feet of ground floor retail and a 171-space parking garage.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/demolition-set-to-begin-soon-at-high-16th-in-university-district

 

Farewell, buildings filled with nostalgia and character.

 

The only one's filled with nostalgia & character are those shown in the picture.  The Huntington Bank building is a hideous 70s/80s building and everything behind Charlies and where Evolved looks condemned.  I was extremely opposed to this before I saw what the result is going to be and now I have come to terms that I will no longer be able to revisit my Too's and O-Patio days and see a random bdsm photographer taking pictures in the back hallway of Bernie's.

 

The Huntington building is gone. Demo has started on the north end, moving south.

 

Untitled by paul2741, on Flickr

Demolition Begins at High & 16th in University District

 

 

Three buildings have begun the demolition process at the site of the High & 16th redevelopment project in the University District this past week. The former Huntington Building, Charley’s Grilled Subs, and the house behind it have all been reduced to rubble with cleanup left to be completed once the weather improves.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/demolition-begins-at-high-16th-in-university-district

I'm really going to miss Toos, Chumley's, the O, and Mama's. I even went back last month to get my last tidal wave shot on film, haha.

Is the the "Mama's" you're talking about?? If I'm not mistaken, in the 70's this was an old-style family-run Italian restaurant called Tony's (I think, or some other common Italian name, and replete with red-checkered tablecloths) that probably went back to the 50's or longer. They served only a handful of basic red-sauce dishes and the prices were super-cheap. This has to be the same place, although it's hard to place with the windows covered (what goes on in there? lol). As I recall no alcohol was served back then. It should be declared an historic landmark

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

Later that day...

I answered my own question, and it was called Roma's--

http://www.mamaspastaandbrew.com/history.html

Roma's maybe in the early 70's. By 1976 it was called Froggy's for a year or two before it became Mama's. It's seedy -- certainly not sleazy, and absolutely a great dive bar with a retinue or regulars. Very friendly. I took my son there two years ago for his first legal beer.

Roma's maybe in the early 70's. By 1976 it was called Froggy's for a year or two before it became Mama's. It's seedy -- certainly not sleazy, and absolutely a great dive bar with a retinue or regulars. Very friendly. I took my son there two years ago for his first legal beer.

come to think of it, I do have a vague recollection of Froggy's. I hated the name. I don't suppose Charbert's or the Char Bar are still around. Or Bernie's Bagels. Or Venetian Pizza...

Bernie's is being bulldozed like right now, while Char Bar is still open across from the convention center.

come to think of it, I do have a vague recollection of Froggy's. I hated the name. I don't suppose Charbert's or the Char Bar are still around. Or Bernie's Bagels. Or Venetian Pizza...

 

Char Bar moved south to downtown in 1990 and is still in business at that location, https://www.yelp.com/biz/char-bar-columbus

 

The longest running old-time campus dives that are still on campus are now probably Bier Stube https://www.yelp.com/biz/bier-stube-columbus and The Library https://www.yelp.com/biz/library-bar-columbus

thanks. I remember when Bernie's opened. They also opened a second, much bigger location on High Street downtown, taking over an ornate, historic bar. I don't think that lasted too long. (I remember someone who went to the Bier Stube practically every night :drunk:)

Very little remains of my mid-70s OSU world: Buckeye Donuts, Apollo's gyros, Library, Mama's, Bier Stube. Used Kids and Johnny Go's House o' Music trace their lineage, respectively to Schoolkids and Mole's Record Exchange, but Johnny Go's has been tractored out and Used Kids moved to 4th and Hudson. (The loss of record stores from a campus strip is like a canary in the coal mine for the vibrancy and authenticity that students need.) Larry's, one of the all-time great bars, disappeared a few years back. At least the Dube and Dick's Den still thrive.

^I imagine Gordon's Ice Cream is long gone. The proprietor, Mr. Gordon himself, was already old in the 70's (who am I kidding, I'm probably that same age now). They had two locations. The "uptown" one was the nicer. Also, remember the vegetarian Seva Longevity Cookery? Also two places. And Jolly Roger Donuts? Did they ever clean that place??

Very little remains of my mid-70s OSU world: Buckeye Donuts, Apollo's gyros, Library, Mama's, Bier Stube. Used Kids and Johnny Go's House o' Music trace their lineage, respectively to Schoolkids and Mole's Record Exchange, but Johnny Go's has been tractored out and Used Kids moved to 4th and Hudson. (The loss of record stores from a campus strip is like a canary in the coal mine for the vibrancy and authenticity that students need.) Larry's, one of the all-time great bars, disappeared a few years back. At least the Dube and Dick's Den still thrive.

 

Larry's was great, the site of my first gin and tonic. I believe it set me back 2.00.

 

I'm wondering if these new places will ever attain "authentic" status, as you say. I know it's very hard to prevent this kind of change, it's just too bad the old has to come at the expense of the new.

 

At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if Dube was replaced by a Cheesecake Factory.