3 hours ago, columbus17 said:

OSU needs to rip up the turf and put grass down. From what I've heard no college or pro player likes the turf.

It’s amazing they didn’t have a problem with any of it for the past 20 years because the old Astro turf was causing ACL tears left and right(speaking from experience it was horrible on everyone’s knees and joints). Now all of a sudden they have a problem with the new stuff that isn’t like concrete, makes zero sense.

Ohio State's green energy center open for corporate tenants

 

Ohio State University's $49.3 million Energy Advancement and Innovation Center is open, and several outside companies are in talks to rent portions of its wide-open spaces in the gateway to the Carmenton innovation district.

 

Three-fourths funded by the private company that manages the campus energy infrastructure, the nearly transparent building will be a hub for research on renewable energy, smart energy systems and green mobility. Faculty and students will rub shoulders with entrepreneurs leading spinoffs and engineers from large corporations.

 

"We’re creating the ability to interact and collaborate with open space," said Paco Herson, OSU's associate dean for research innovation and professor of neurosurgery. "We have to bring people together, and this building is built with that specifically in mind."

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/inno/stories/news/2023/12/07/ohio-state-energy-advancement-innovation-slideshow.html

 

 

It appears the Drake is completely down now!

 

Anyone interested can check the live webcam (under "live updates" near the bottom of the page) here:

 

https://buildingthefuture.osu.edu/cannon-drive-relocation-phase-2

 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 20231 yr by Luvcbus

New renderings for Up at 16th

 

 

So Pavey Square II.

1 hour ago, ColDayMan said:

So Pavey Square II.

I think this looks way better than Pavey Square though. The housing in front is exact for sure, which I don’t think is always bad. 
 

I still think the second redesign or whatever it was, was the best, but this is probably the best they can do with the crappy university review board. 

3 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

So Pavey Square II.

Since it's on a curve, don't you mean Pavey πr Squared!!  🤣

15 minutes ago, Pablo said:

Since it's on a curve, don't you mean Pavey πr Squared!!  🤣

 

Man, I wish they would take that on as the name of this development! 🤣

 

Wood framing rising at the Rambler on Lane

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio Stadium and St.John Arena in the distance with no Drake

 

 

 

University District: New Plan Presented for Apartments, Event Space Approved

 

The University District Review Board will get another chance next week to weigh in on a development proposal for the former Summit on 16th United Methodist Church. Plans for the site, located at 82 E. 16th St., have been updated several times since the initial proposal was brought before the board last summer.

...

Event Space Lands Approval

 

Another long-discussed proposal for the neighborhood got approved at last month’s UIDRB meeting. The project, from local restaurant group A&R Creative, calls for a two-story event space to be built on what is now a parking lot at 16 E. 13th Ave.

The new building would sit in between Ethyl and Tank and Midway, which are both operated by A&R Creative.

 

A narrative submitted by the company along with plans for the new building explained that the space is needed to meet “the increasing demands from students, faculty, guests and community partners to gather and celebrate each other.”

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/university-district-new-plan-presented-for-apartments-event-space-approved-bw1/

 

 

On 12/12/2023 at 3:41 PM, ColDayMan said:

University District: New Plan Presented for Apartments, Event Space Approved

 

The University District Review Board will get another chance next week to weigh in on a development proposal for the former Summit on 16th United Methodist Church. Plans for the site, located at 82 E. 16th St., have been updated several times since the initial proposal was brought before the board last summer.

...

Event Space Lands Approval

 

Another long-discussed proposal for the neighborhood got approved at last month’s UIDRB meeting. The project, from local restaurant group A&R Creative, calls for a two-story event space to be built on what is now a parking lot at 16 E. 13th Ave.

The new building would sit in between Ethyl and Tank and Midway, which are both operated by A&R Creative.

 

A narrative submitted by the company along with plans for the new building explained that the space is needed to meet “the increasing demands from students, faculty, guests and community partners to gather and celebrate each other.”

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/university-district-new-plan-presented-for-apartments-event-space-approved-bw1/

 

 

I'm not necessarily opposed to this but I'm kinda shocked it got approved considering Midway is such a nuisance to the university. It seems counterintuitive to build what will likely be another very loud/rowdy bar right across the street from the Union. I wouldve rather just seen this lot and Midway get redeveloped, but oh well. 

14 minutes ago, Dblcut3 said:

I'm not necessarily opposed to this but I'm kinda shocked it got approved considering Midway is such a nuisance to the university. It seems counterintuitive to build what will likely be another very loud/rowdy bar right across the street from the Union. I wouldve rather just seen this lot and Midway get redeveloped, but oh well. 

Even with this getting approved I give this plan a 45% chance to actually happen. The same group was supposed to do a bunch of updates and work on the ethyl and tank building and never did any of that. 

Proposed apartments on historic church site still too big, review board says

 

“Despite their journeys back to the drawing board, developers on Monday did not receive approval from the review board to move forward. The board, tasked with ensuring any development proposals harmonize with the history and character of the neighborhood, remained concerned that allowing a zoning variance for the six-story building would set bad precedent.”

 

university review board is a joke and if you are here and part of it, just know you are a problem and not a good one. 

23 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Proposed apartments on historic church site still too big, review board says

 

“Despite their journeys back to the drawing board, developers on Monday did not receive approval from the review board to move forward. The board, tasked with ensuring any development proposals harmonize with the history and character of the neighborhood, remained concerned that allowing a zoning variance for the six-story building would set bad precedent.”

 

university review board is a joke and if you are here and part of it, just know you are a problem and not a good one. 

I understand the initial proposals. But they designed the last in a way much like Jaeger Square - stepping back the main building and creating "home-like" facades. The commission clearly has no idea what they are doing. You really think OSU will stop at University Square?

49 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

I understand the initial proposals. But they designed the last in a way much like Jaeger Square - stepping back the main building and creating "home-like" facades. The commission clearly has no idea what they are doing. You really think OSU will stop at University Square?

Exactly, the developer did everything the commission asked, and they still said no. I just really wish developers would go straight to the city for approval. 

 

Rambler on Lane starting to make its presence known

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 hours ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

Rambler on Lane starting to make its presence known

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Won't be done until summer 2025.

It's pretty crazy how just putting the building closer to the road makes it already feel more dense than before.

Grabbed a few pics of the Rambler when I dropped off my tuition check.

Biomedical Engineering Building Renovations/Addition

Ripping up parking lot for Cannon Drive realignment.

 

Progress check at the Drake

 

 

 

It's finally gone!  PRAISE ALLAH!!!

 

West Campus Natural Gas Power Plant 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

West Campus Natural Gas Power Plant 

 

 

 

Beat me to it! I saw the cladding up last week and was like FINALLY! I'm sure the workers were too...

 

A few more looks at the Rambler -

 

Up to four floors on the north side!

 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

A few more looks at the Rambler -

 

Up to four floors on the north side!

 

 

 

 

Hey (from across the street!)

 

More from the Rambler on Lane

 

 

 

 

I graduated from OSU 25 years ago and I feel like I could spend an entire day walking around campus just to see all the things that have changed since then.  I can't believe the Thirsty Scholar is still there!

4 hours ago, JohnOSU99 said:

I graduated from OSU 25 years ago and I feel like I could spend an entire day walking around campus just to see all the things that have changed since then.  I can't believe the Thirsty Scholar is still there!

I just had a memory pop up that my freshman year was 17 years ago; I barely recognize it.

Do we have any solid updates on 15th and High? Feels like there was alot of momentum and then none. The retail tenants are basically full and I'm eagerly awaiting the next phase to get the build out of Pearl Alley and hotel. 

58 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

Do we have any solid updates on 15th and High? Feels like there was alot of momentum and then none. The retail tenants are basically full and I'm eagerly awaiting the next phase to get the build out of Pearl Alley and hotel. 

Haven't heard/seen a peep. Doubt it'll happen anytime soon.

19 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

Do we have any solid updates on 15th and High? Feels like there was alot of momentum and then none. The retail tenants are basically full and I'm eagerly awaiting the next phase to get the build out of Pearl Alley and hotel. 

There is movement. I'd expect to hear more about it this year.

The commission does it again, this project looks terrible, so I'm sure it will be approved now. 

 

New renderings for Up Campus at 16th

Here is a decent project that looks like it will replace some single family homes. Address is 127-135 E Woodruff Avenue. The building doesn't look awesome, but seems like a nice area to add a little coffee shop and some more multifamily housing. 

 

 

BLOV needs to rework their logo or their name...all I see is that their design blows....

38 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

The commission does it again, this project looks terrible, so I'm sure it will be approved now. 

 

New renderings for Up Campus at 16th

I don't hate it. Looks like a building a bunch of college students would live in for a few years at most. At least it has a good footprint.

5 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Here is a decent project that looks like it will replace some single family homes. Address is 127-135 E Woodruff Avenue. The building doesn't look awesome, but seems like a nice area to add a little coffee shop and some more multifamily housing

 

I'll certainly take it, but it's funny we're getting a coffee shop in this project at Woodruff & Waldeck while the other project at a much more obvious corner for retail (16th & Waldeck) gets bupkis

28 minutes ago, NW24HX said:

 

I'll certainly take it, but it's funny we're getting a coffee shop in this project at Woodruff & Waldeck while the other project at a much more obvious corner for retail (16th & Waldeck) gets bupkis

This project has to get approved before that coffee shop happens haha

Ohio State-area houses could be replaced with new apartments

 

According to city staff comments, the proposal is not consistent with the University District Plan. The two houses currently there were built in 1913 and 1924 and are considered contributing, city staff said.

Staff recommends the developer rework the proposal to include the existing buildings.

The UIDRB will consider the plan at its Jan. 25 meeting.

 

Here are the current houses on the site. 
 

 

Edited January 19, 20241 yr by VintageLife

That is honestly going to be a struggle with much of the UD. And I'm not necessarily upset by that. There's going to be a fine line between wiping out blocks of single or double family homes for the sake of density and preserving a neighborhood.  I think there are places for both, but when it comes to this, these decisions should be more carefully considered rather than rubber stamped. 

 

Yes, 'it's just two semi isolated' is one side of the argument to take in to consideration. But kind of like other buildings, condition or current use isn't necessarily a factor in my mind. For this site, the opposing and adjacent properties dont provide for continuity as is so I lean toward these are less impactful, but at the same time, if a developer can incorporate them, perfect. A cafe would fit in a first floor of either of those in the same just the same. So asking a developer to maybe give another option in the first go, not the worst thing to me. I really think it's OK for pause.

 

The issue I always have is when developers come back with these considerations in mind, the commission gets their panties in a bunch and says, 'well, we see you preserved them like we asked, but the adjacent building is 1.3ft too tall' ... or 'thanks for preserving half a block of retail but we just don't think a 17 story building belongs where A CVS once stood at High and Lane'... the commission isn't generally willing to give when developers show they are. 

 

 

Edited January 19, 20241 yr by DTCL11

9 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

That is honestly going to be a struggle with much of the UD. And I'm not necessarily upset by that. There's going to be a fine line between wiping out blocks of single or double family homes for the sake of density and preserving a neighborhood.  I think there are places for both, but when it comes to this, these decisions should be more carefully considered rather than rubber stamped. 

 

Yes, 'it's just two semi isolated' is one side of the argument to take in to consideration. But kind of like other buildings, condition or current use isn't necessarily a factor in my mind. The biggest being cohesiveness. For this site, the opposing and adjacent properties dont provide for continuity as is so I lean toward these are less impactful, but at the same time, if a developer can incorporate them, perfect. A cafe would fit in a first floor of either of those in the same just the same. So asking a developer to maybe give another option in the first go, not the worst thing to me. I really think it's OK for pause.

 

The issue I always have is when developers come back with these considerations in mind, the commission gets their panties in a bunch and says, 'well, we see you preserved them like we asked, but the adjacent building is 1.3ft too tall' ... or 'thanks for preserving half a block of retail but we just don't think a 17 story building belongs where A CVS once stood at High and Lane'... the commission isn't generally willing to give when developers show they are. 

 

 

Thats my problem with them not approving/giving so much push back on the Up Campus at 16th proposal. They changed everything they were asked to and the commission still complained and said not good enough. 

2 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

That is honestly going to be a struggle with much of the UD. And I'm not necessarily upset by that. There's going to be a fine line between wiping out blocks of single or double family homes for the sake of density and preserving a neighborhood.  I think there are places for both, but when it comes to this, these decisions should be more carefully considered rather than rubber stamped. 

 

Yes, 'it's just two semi isolated' is one side of the argument to take in to consideration. But kind of like other buildings, condition or current use isn't necessarily a factor in my mind. For this site, the opposing and adjacent properties dont provide for continuity as is so I lean toward these are less impactful, but at the same time, if a developer can incorporate them, perfect. A cafe would fit in a first floor of either of those in the same just the same. So asking a developer to maybe give another option in the first go, not the worst thing to me. I really think it's OK for pause.

 

The issue I always have is when developers come back with these considerations in mind, the commission gets their panties in a bunch and says, 'well, we see you preserved them like we asked, but the adjacent building is 1.3ft too tall' ... or 'thanks for preserving half a block of retail but we just don't think a 17 story building belongs where A CVS once stood at High and Lane'... the commission isn't generally willing to give when developers show they are. 

 

 

 

Ohio State itself has literally wiped out perhaps hundreds of homes over the last several decades, and many more were demolished by 1960s-1980s-era horrifically plain apartment buildings. Most of those latter demolitions were just 1-2 houses a pop, but they definitely added up. I'm all for densifying these areas where possible- vacant lots or otherwise replacing said existing mid-century crap, for example- but I don't like the idea of just continuously tearing down the original buildings everytime someone has a proposal. I generally hate these commissions because they're always so anti-density, but not in this case. I'm tired of Columbus losing its historic fabric because developers are too lazy or cheap, or when the city gets lobbied that a building is somehow an "imminent" community hazard. 

Much of the area around Ohio State in the 90s and early 2000s was a dump. I am glad for what they are doing to improve the area. As someone who spent a lot of time in many of those older establishments like Sloopy's, etc. it was sad to see them go, but I appreciate what has come in their place now.

More infill on its way.

22 minutes ago, aderwent said:

I assume a detention system is being installed under the old surface lot. The hole was pretty big when I passed it this morning - I can’t imagine what sewer they’d be connecting to that large. 

That substation really interrupts the flow of the new riverfront aestetically. I cant recall if they intended to move it at some point or not? 

4 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

That substation really interrupts the flow of the new riverfront aestetically. I cant recall if they intended to move it at some point or not? 

There’s really no place to move it unfortunately.