December 13, 20195 yr 2 minutes ago, DTCL11 said: We're not on the same page here. I'm not talking about Easton as a mall. Yes, they built a successful mall. I'm not disputing that. To your point, that's the only reason many people come to Columbus from other places and that's the only part of Columbus they know. They have not built a successful community despite saying that's the goal. It's a specific element of Easton (residential) I'm referring to as being arshot'esque. The parallels are even similar when you bring up the original Easton Commons in the early 2000s as I believe Arshot had a successful tower project then too people used to show they are capable of big tower projects. Or even that the new residential building was discovered online and still not formally released by Easton (like mini-Millenial) I don't believe there is an actual equivalency between those two coincidences there but it is a bit funny in the parallel. My equating the two is specifically related to vague language on the future of a particular element of Easton. Easton was happy to tell us the exact square footage of every element of the retail and office and simply state 'residential' without putting any numbers or renderings to the residential portion, to this day. Putting the comparatives aside between Easton residential plans and Arshot, the skepticism is not unwarranted. Other than the 2008 downturn, it's not as if residential hasn't made any sense until now for such a 'visionary' group of developers. And perhaps they are seeing the error in failing to develop residential for so long and catching up. I'll be happy to see the 300 Units as outlined in the permit but I'm waiting, cautiously, on how much more we are going to see anytime soon, particularly on any of the grand visions of Georgetown or Wexner, or if we are going to see it stop there with a master plan that shows future residential and wait another 5 or if it will be 20 years. I hope its 5, but won't be surprised if its 20. So because Easton, a massive mixed-use project that is still far from being finished, has not built enough residential units so far to match your requirements, it is comparable to Arshot failing to build a race track. That's a bit of a stretch.
December 13, 20195 yr Just now, Toddguy said: You responded to my saying I was being insulted by basically insulting me again(of course that is how I see it.) How did I insult you? You didn't comprehend the distinction that I pointed out. That's a fact, not an insult. You being insulted by me simply pointing that out to you is not my problem. That's also a fact, not an insult. 3 minutes ago, Toddguy said: This discussion has become unfriendly and has "attitude" IMO that is not conducive to any productive discussion, so let's just drop it, ok? I'm not sure what "attitude" you think I have. You wrongfully stated that I purposefully misrepresented your statement. I proved I did no such thing. That's all. I would be more than happy to drop it as it never should have been a discussion in the first place.
December 13, 20195 yr I think what might have went on is that Steiner may have wanted to reach a certain success level with their residential components at other sites such as Liberty Center... whose residential was a big hit.
December 13, 20195 yr Just now, cbussoccer said: So because Easton, a massive mixed-use project that is still far from being finished, has not built enough residential units so far to match your requirements, it is comparable to Arshot failing to build a race track. That's a bit of a stretch. You get hung up on that race track each time. I'm comparing patterns of announcements and vague plans over periods of years vs outcomes. Whether it's a race track, mixed use tower, residential expansions, etc. I'm not sure I can specify or clarify it another way. Let's replace Arshot with any other company that has vague promises. That's just the one that comes to mind as a prominent example. I'll leave it at that. 2 minutes ago, GCrites80s said: I think what might have went on is that Steiner may have wanted to reach a certain success level with their residential components at other sites such as Liberty Center... whose residential was a big hit. Fair. Let's just hope they want to play catch up on residential just as quickly as they like to build out retail.... ?
December 13, 20195 yr 4 minutes ago, DTCL11 said: You get hung up on that race track each time. I'm comparing patterns of announcements and vague plans over periods of years vs outcomes. Whether it's a race track, mixed use tower, residential expansions, etc. I'm not sure I can specify or clarify it another way. Let's replace Arshot with any other company that has vague promises. That's just the one that comes to mind as a prominent example. So what you are doing is describing most developers who publicly announce conceptual plans. Got it.
December 13, 20195 yr There will never be 20,000 residential units at Easton nor will there ever be a 40 story tower and I will bet money on it! ? Pie in the sky dreaming!!! ? That 82 year old Les Wexner waxing rhapsodic about plans for 40 story towers and 20,000 residential units = Yes! it will get built.... ???? just trying to cool the thread down a bit...but the bet is for real! 100 bucks! ( of course I will probably be dead by the time it happens if it does indeed happen so good luck collecting... ? ) Edited December 13, 20195 yr by Toddguy grammar, spelling, etc. etc.
December 13, 20195 yr 3 hours ago, cbussoccer said: They built a massive outdoor shopping center along with restaurants and offices which has become a must-do for almost everyone who visits Columbus. People actually drive into Columbus just to go to Easton. That sounds nothing like Arshot failing to build a race track in an old minor league baseball stadium next to a cemetery on the edge of downtown. I would agree with you about the Arshot comparison- I don't think that's valid. However, we also haven't seen- to this point- any plans for what they described in that article with the last 2 phases of expansion. The article also seemed to be talking about what might be possible future phases over the course of a few decades. It gave no other reference to when this was supposed to happen. I don't think we can realistically say that towers on the order of Columbus' tallest buildings are coming anytime soon to Easton. This is not an argument that they can't happen, only that we should be reasonably cautious about the expectations.
December 13, 20195 yr 2 hours ago, cbussoccer said: Before they built Easton, things like Easton didn't exist. Now they do. Building a 20-story tower at Easton is much less speculative than actually building Easton itself was 25 years ago. I would definitely argue that Easton wasn't as speculative as you're making it out to be. There had been open-air concept malls and lifestyle centers for decades before Easton, including in Columbus. Westland Mall was built as an open-air promenade in the 1960s. The Continent pushed that concept even further in the 1970s. And nationally, there were developments much more similar to how Easton ended up. You could argue that Easton took the concept to a new level and became the template for similar developments, but it was built upon others that had come before it.
December 13, 20195 yr 39 minutes ago, jonoh81 said: I would agree with you about the Arshot comparison- I don't think that's valid. However, we also haven't seen- to this point- any plans for what they described in that article with the last 2 phases of expansion. The article also seemed to be talking about what might be possible future phases over the course of a few decades. It gave no other reference to when this was supposed to happen. I don't think we can realistically say that towers on the order of Columbus' tallest buildings are coming anytime soon to Easton. This is not an argument that they can't happen, only that we should be reasonably cautious about the expectations. Unfortunately "reasonably cautious" will get you tarred with the "pessimism brush" on this thread. *hush up cbussoccer!!!! Edited December 13, 20195 yr by Toddguy
December 14, 20195 yr Woof, this thread went places. I'm just hear to say that I don't really like Easton but I hope they can do some things to make me like Easton.
December 14, 20195 yr I mean, Easton decelopers have been making pitches about the future and convincing some interesting names to buy in and locate there. There must be some special things in the works. I can't imagine some of these places would buy in to just another outdoor midwest shopping mall. I know that Forty Deuce owner gave an interview where he had never even considered the midwest. Then, the Easton developers called him and pitched their plans and he said he was blown away and is now looking to buy a house in the area. Maybe it's nothing, but people seem excited to be a part of what's coming.
January 9, 20205 yr There's a CBF article today about all of the hotels currently under construction in the Columbus area. One of the hotels listed is a 240 room Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites at Easton. I don't recall hearing anything about that being built at Easton and the article I can find relating to it is this article from PACE Equity. Including in the article is the below rendering of a 7-story hotel, but nowhere in the article is the location of the hotel mentioned. Does anyone know where it's being built at Easton?
January 9, 20205 yr The northwest corner of Morse and Sunbury seems likely. That parcel is owned by "Easton Innkeepers LLC" and has an owner address of 4404 Buckeye Ln Ste 220, Beavercreek, OH. Sticking that address in Google brings up Middletown Hotel Management, which is the developer mentioned in that article.
January 9, 20205 yr 36 minutes ago, .justin said: The northwest corner of Morse and Sunbury seems likely. That parcel is owned by "Easton Innkeepers LLC" and has an owner address of 4404 Buckeye Ln Ste 220, Beavercreek, OH. Sticking that address in Google brings up Middletown Hotel Management, which is the developer mentioned in that article. Excellent sleuthing. Thanks!
January 10, 20205 yr 18 hours ago, .justin said: The northwest corner of Morse and Sunbury seems likely. That parcel is owned by "Easton Innkeepers LLC" and has an owner address of 4404 Buckeye Ln Ste 220, Beavercreek, OH. Sticking that address in Google brings up Middletown Hotel Management, which is the developer mentioned in that article. Isn’t there already something under construction on this parcel? Or am I mixing up my intersections?
January 10, 20205 yr 11 minutes ago, FudgeRounds said: Isn’t there already something under construction on this parcel? Or am I mixing up my intersections? If there's something under construction, it's probably the hotel. The CBF article listed hotels currently under construction.
January 10, 20205 yr 2 hours ago, cbussoccer said: If there's something under construction, it's probably the hotel. The CBF article listed hotels currently under construction. That should’ve been blindingly obvious to me haha. That’s exciting, for some reason I assumed it was some sort of boring utility thing.
January 10, 20205 yr 2 minutes ago, FudgeRounds said: That should’ve been blindingly obvious to me haha. That’s exciting, for some reason I assumed it was some sort of boring utility thing. Haha no worries. I suppose they could be doing some utility work there right now. I never drive past this corner so I didn't even know anything was going on here. I never get further west than the Chick-fil-a. It does seem kind of odd that they are building a 7-story hotel way over there though. You would think they would want it within walking distance of the mall.
January 13, 20205 yr Drove by yesterday. Foundations and retaining walls are going in. There’s an existing hotel just north of this site. Can there be any more wires? Edited January 13, 20205 yr by Pablo
January 13, 20205 yr 20 minutes ago, Pablo said: Can there be any more wires? The birds need somewhere to sit.
January 13, 20205 yr Author First Look: Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce Burgers by day, burlesque by night. Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce is now open at 3959 Brighton Rose Way as a part of Easton’s expansion. Spanning two levels, the ground floor hosts the burger side of the operation, offering lunch, dinner and late-night eats seven days a week. Upstairs burlesque is on the menu, along with dancing, DJs and a live band. Kane worked with acclaimed chef Neal Fraser to develop the burger-centric menu. “Most of our burgers definitely have a flavor profile that you’ve never tasted before on burger,” Kane says. That includes signature The Deuce with a red wine reduction and foie gras. The menu is rounded out with a selection of other sandwiches, salads and towering milkshakes. More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/first-look-ivan-kanes-forty-deuce-sp1 "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 15, 20205 yr 36 minutes ago, FudgeRounds said: Not sure how I feel about ordering a food item called “The Deuce”... *stares at username*
January 27, 20205 yr So in regards to the plan to build towers and a new neighborhood at Easton, I have been told directly by those involved that they have hired folks at OSU to help them with this plan. They're supposed to help solve the issues in basically building an entire organic-feeling neighborhood from scratch and incorporating it into the existing development. So there is some movement ongoing. I'm working on getting an interview with them. Edited January 27, 20205 yr by jonoh81
January 27, 20205 yr 26 minutes ago, jonoh81 said: I have been told directly by those involved that they have hired folks at OSU to help them with this plan. They're supposed to help solve the issues in basically building an entire organic-feeling neighborhood from scratch and incorporating it into the existing development. Aka paying less than market rate by selling students on the idea of gaining experience for little to no credit and less pay than market demands if they get paid at all. OSU is also actively involved in Nationwide Children's Healthy Neighborhoods revitalization using student labor for massive data collection on each property. I get it, and I see the benefits for resumes but at the same time, I wish these companies would offer more than 'experience' or substandard pay to the students in the same way people pitch 'exposure' as a form of payment to artists. It could also be noted that this is the same idea that Raleigh is attempting in research and business parks. They've discovered this needs for urbanization and are trying to adapt decades of business park models and sees of parking lots to a new urban model to keep tenants. Preferable with cohesion and a neighborhood feel. This new subsection of urbanization is likely to spread as many business parks will die or adapt to the new market demands. Edited January 27, 20205 yr by DTCL11
January 27, 20205 yr 11 minutes ago, DTCL11 said: Aka paying less than market rate by selling students on the idea of gaining experience for little to no credit and less pay than market demands if they get paid at all. OSU is also actively involved in Nationwide Children's Healthy Neighborhoods revitalization using student labor for massive data collection on each property. I get it, and I see the benefits for resumes but at the same time, I wish these companies would offer more than 'experience' or substandard pay to the students in the same way people pitch 'exposure' as a form of payment to artists. Is could also be noted that this is the same ideas that Raleigh is attempting in research and business parks. They've discovered this needs for urbanization and are trying to adapt decades of business park models to a new urban model to keep tenants. This new subsection of urbanization is likely to spread as many business parks will die or adapt to the new market demands. They actually say university professors, not students, so I'm not sure that's the case.
January 27, 20205 yr 9 minutes ago, jonoh81 said: They actually say university professors, not students, so I'm not sure that's the case. Interesting. I do know for a fact that the Linden studies are completed as assignments by students from professors. I'll be curious to see how they approach Easton then if it's the professors.
January 27, 20205 yr 2 hours ago, jonoh81 said: So in regards to the plan to build towers and a new neighborhood at Easton, I have been told directly by those involved that they have hired folks at OSU to help them with this plan. They're supposed to help solve the issues in basically building an entire organic-feeling neighborhood from scratch and incorporating it into the existing development. So there is some movement ongoing. I'm working on getting an interview with them. I know you haven't actually done the interview yet, but during your quick contact, were you able to get a feeling of whether they are looking to get this rolling quickly or if this is some far off thing down the line? I'm wondering if we're going to see a bit of "keeping up with the Joneses" as Polaris and Bridge Park are building up.
January 27, 20205 yr 1 hour ago, TH3BUDDHA said: I know you haven't actually done the interview yet, but during your quick contact, were you able to get a feeling of whether they are looking to get this rolling quickly or if this is some far off thing down the line? I'm wondering if we're going to see a bit of "keeping up with the Joneses" as Polaris and Bridge Park are building up. I got the feeling it was something they're excited about and looking forward to seeing happen, fwiw.
January 28, 20205 yr 20 hours ago, jonoh81 said: So in regards to the plan to build towers and a new neighborhood at Easton, I have been told directly by those involved that they have hired folks at OSU to help them with this plan. They're supposed to help solve the issues in basically building an entire organic-feeling neighborhood from scratch and incorporating it into the existing development. So there is some movement ongoing. I'm working on getting an interview with them. I searched the past few pages because I wasn't quite sure what you were talking about. Are you referring to this? Just trying to make sure I fully understand. I haven't paid attention to this thread as much as I should be. Seems like I need to make my biannual trip to Easton and check it out!
January 28, 20205 yr 1 hour ago, Zyrokai said: I searched the past few pages because I wasn't quite sure what you were talking about. Are you referring to this? Just trying to make sure I fully understand. I haven't paid attention to this thread as much as I should be. Seems like I need to make my biannual trip to Easton and check it out! Yes, not the current expansion, but the plan to build towers and a whole new mixed-use neighborhood on remaining land.
February 2, 20205 yr Some of the new retail development in the latest Easton expansion: The new 17,500 sq. ft. Arhaus Furniture building opened in January. More about it at https://www.columbusunderground.com/arhaus-furniture-now-open-at-easton-sp1 Restoration Hardware's new 60,000 sq. ft. RH Gallery building opened in December. The building also features a rooftop restaurant and wine bar with a large landscaped rooftop patio. More about this at https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2019/12/12/photos-rh-gallery-opens-at-easton-featuringrooftop.html
February 17, 20205 yr Has anybody heard about Dreamscape? I've seen it popping up on Instagram a bit. It's some VR experience coming to Easton soon through a partnership with AMC. Apparently, they identified key US markets to go to first. Those markets were LA, Dallas, New York/New Jersey metro, and Columbus. So far, it's only in LA, Dallas, and Dubai according to the VisitDreamscape Instagram account. It's pretty cool that we're grouped in with some pretty important markets to go to first. I wonder what the criteria was for "key markets" and how we fit in with those. Here's Easton's page for it: https://eastontowncenter.com/tenants/dreamscape-at-amc Here's an article I found online about it: Dreamscape Kicks Off Its Nationwide Roll Out With December 2018 Launch Of Westfield Century City Immersive VR Destination LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreamscape Immersive, the location-based VR studio and retailer backed by some of Hollywood's heaviest hitters, today announced it will open its premier venue in Westfield Century City this December 2018. Audiences can purchase advance tickets for the Westfield location starting today from dreamscapeimmersive.com. The opening marks the start of an onslaught of activity for the company, centered around a rapid expansion which includes the introduction of four new stand-alone and in-theatre venues via its partnership with AMC Theatres, the world's largest cinema exhibitor. AMC has identified a series of key markets for its new Dreamscape destinations, including Dallas/Ft. Worth, Columbus Ohio, and the New York/New Jersey metro area. AMC will begin to introduce these locations in mid 2019. More here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamscape-to-launch-immersive-vr-destination-in-partnership-with-amc-theatres-on-august-15-in-dallas-northpark-center-300897409.html
February 26, 20205 yr On 10/7/2019 at 4:10 PM, cbussoccer said: A new structure application was filed a few days ago for a "5 story type 3A construction building sitting atop a 2 story type 1A construction building". I'm assuming this means 5 stories of residential atop two stories of parking. Based on how Easton has been developed, I would assume (and hope) that at least the portion along Worth would include ground floor retail. This application is related this parcel which was discussed a few posts ago: A 7-story structure would make sense considering the below picture from the CU article posted above. I was out at Easton last night and was surprised by a new tower crane. Looks like they’ve started on this.
February 26, 20205 yr 5 minutes ago, TH3BUDDHA said: I was out at Easton last night and was surprised by a new tower crane. Looks like they’ve started on this. So they have two up now? I haven't been over there in a few weeks.
February 26, 20205 yr 1 hour ago, cbussoccer said: So they have two up now? I haven't been over there in a few weeks. Yep, there are currently two.
February 26, 20205 yr Author First Look: Dreamscape VR experience – backed by Steven Spielberg – opens this week at Easton Easton Town Center is playing host to a new virtual reality experience, the first of its kind in the Midwest. Dreamscape – a VR simulator – will open its doors Feb. 28 in place of a few of the screens at the AMC Theater on the second floor of the main building. This is the fourth location for the concept, which first opened in Los Angeles 14 months ago and has since added locations in Dallas and Dubai. "At Dreamscape, our singular goal is to create magical memories between families and friends that can’t be experienced anywhere else," Bruce Vaughn, CEO of Dreamscape Immersive, said in a statement. "We do this by building unforgettable immersive worlds and fusing them together with stories filled with adventure, joy, collaborative challenges, and heartwarming moments." More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/02/26/first-look-dreamscape-vr-experience-backed-by.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 27, 20205 yr Author More on that... Dreamscape Virtual Reality Attraction Opening at Easton Los Angeles, Dallas, Dubai and now, Columbus. Dreamscape — an immersive virtual reality attraction co-founded by former Disneyland and DreamWorks Pictures leadership, among others — is opening at Easton on Friday, Feb. 28. The Columbus attraction, in partnership with AMC, is located at one of the company’s most successful locations: Easton Town Center. Dreamscape took two of AMC’s theaters and created an immersive, full-body VR experience that suits up guests with head, back, hand and foot trackers and takes them through vividly imagined worlds to complete adventurous missions. The immersive experience plays on the strengths of its entertainment industry veteran co-founders. That includes Bruce Vaughn, former chief creative officer of Disney Imagineering and former chief creative executive at the Shanghai Disneyland. His background is in designing and building theme parks, cruise ships and hotels, and that experience has influenced small details to integral parts of the Dreamscape experience. From cases in the lobby featuring “artifacts” from each experience, to guests having “departure” times rather than show times, all of it contributes to the background storytelling and narrative building that complete the attraction’s overall feel. “It’s really about the storytelling and stepping into the narrative of the story,” said Vaughn. More below: https://www.columbusunderground.com/dreamscape-vr-experience-opening-at-easton-tm1 "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 27, 20205 yr https://www.dispatch.com/business/20200227/zoning-restrictions-threaten-eastonrsquos-plans-to-grow-upward The shopping center sought zoning approval this week for a 20-story hotel on a parking lot at 3871 Stelzer Road, at the northwest corner of Stelzer and Easton Way, next to the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Easton officials say they have no definitive plans to put a high-rise on the site, but want approval to build far above the 60-foot height restrictions currently in the area’s zoning code. The Columbus Board of Zoning Adjustment granted the request Tuesday in a case that could have far-reaching implications for Easton’s development. Looks like they are actually serious about the residential, retail and office towers at Easton. As the article says, they don't have a specific plan for this particular parcel yet, but are seeking the variance so that they can build something of this or greater height later on. The title also doesn't really reflect the content. The variance was approved and the local commission stated they don't have any issue with greater height. Edited February 27, 20205 yr by jonoh81
February 27, 20205 yr 7 minutes ago, jonoh81 said: Looks like they are actually serious about the residential, retail and office towers at Easton. ....as I've been saying....
February 27, 20205 yr 1 minute ago, cbussoccer said: ....as I've been saying.... It hasn't happened yet, and a lot can go wrong.
February 27, 20205 yr 51 minutes ago, jonoh81 said: https://www.dispatch.com/business/20200227/zoning-restrictions-threaten-eastonrsquos-plans-to-grow-upward The shopping center sought zoning approval this week for a 20-story hotel on a parking lot at 3871 Stelzer Road, at the northwest corner of Stelzer and Easton Way, next to the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Easton officials say they have no definitive plans to put a high-rise on the site, but want approval to build far above the 60-foot height restrictions currently in the area’s zoning code. The Columbus Board of Zoning Adjustment granted the request Tuesday in a case that could have far-reaching implications for Easton’s development. Looks like they are actually serious about the residential, retail and office towers at Easton. As the article says, they don't have a specific plan for this particular parcel yet, but are seeking the variance so that they can build something of this or greater height later on. The title also doesn't really reflect the content. The variance was approved and the local commission stated they don't have any issue with greater height. The article says next to Barnes and Noble, but Stelzer is on the other side of the Hilton. There is a surface lot between the Hilton and Barnes and Noble. How does a journalist miss something so easy? Edit: They mean this lot which is neither next to B&N nor at the northwest corner of Stelzer and Easton Way ?♂️ : Which was labeled a hotel back in November, 2018: There were rumors of a St. Regis. Edited February 27, 20205 yr by aderwent
February 27, 20205 yr 3 minutes ago, jonoh81 said: It hasn't happened yet, and a lot can go wrong. Obviously.
February 27, 20205 yr 53 minutes ago, aderwent said: They mean this lot which is neither next to B&N nor at the northwest corner of Stelzer and Easton Way Wait, how do you know they mean that spot. When I put in 3871 Stelzer road in maps, the pin is right on Nordstrom, which is also not where they say it is lol.
February 27, 20205 yr I look forward to the day when Easton builds more towers and housing units a year than downtown... I can certainly see a scenario where that happens if downtown is only able to put 1000 units, give or take, online a year. Single land ownership. Significant investment. Easy peasy. ... in theory... after all, the casino got a zoning variance for a hotel up to 375' in 2012... That was a fun experiment, though, now let's see them also put out a conceptual variance for a street car and a central transit center... if they intend to go this big, they need to be damn serious about a transit system and not simply go with a car dependent urban suburban model this large. A street car that circulates the Easton property (not a stupid self driving shuttle). And such a development should be able to fund a private streetcar and not wait for COTA to catch up with the times. A transit center that ties the streetcar to a COTA BRT and Northern AirConnect etc etc etc. Prepare for it now and not after the fact. But really, why is there even a height limit that applies to Easton? That should have been handled blanket early on. Even if the commission is easily granting variances, it takes a random change of heart or commission members to become much less receptive.
February 27, 20205 yr 59 minutes ago, TH3BUDDHA said: Wait, how do you know they mean that spot. When I put in 3871 Stelzer road in maps, the pin is right on Nordstrom, which is also not where they say it is lol. https://www.columbus.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2147502426
February 28, 20205 yr 14 hours ago, DTCL11 said: I look forward to the day when Easton builds more towers and housing units a year than downtown... I can certainly see a scenario where that happens if downtown is only able to put 1000 units, give or take, online a year. Single land ownership. Significant investment. Easy peasy. ... in theory... after all, the casino got a zoning variance for a hotel up to 375' in 2012... That was a fun experiment, though, now let's see them also put out a conceptual variance for a street car and a central transit center... if they intend to go this big, they need to be damn serious about a transit system and not simply go with a car dependent urban suburban model this large. A street car that circulates the Easton property (not a stupid self driving shuttle). And such a development should be able to fund a private streetcar and not wait for COTA to catch up with the times. A transit center that ties the streetcar to a COTA BRT and Northern AirConnect etc etc etc. Prepare for it now and not after the fact. But really, why is there even a height limit that applies to Easton? That should have been handled blanket early on. Even if the commission is easily granting variances, it takes a random change of heart or commission members to become much less receptive. If Easton becomes more of a proper modern downtown than actual downtown, I can't say I'll be thrilled with that. I've long thought Easton should have been "created" closer to the urban core of downtown as a catalyst and not an artificially planned "second downtown commercial disttrict" miles away from the actual downtown of Columbus. I've gotten over it, but there was a time when downtown was dead enough that they could have done this. Oh well. I would be happy if Easton does what COTA won't and implements some kind of awesome transit. Anything to kick COTA into higher gear, imo. But I don't expect this to happen. We're going to drive down car-centric streets that are far too wide to get from one side of Easton to the other and like it!
February 28, 20205 yr 13 minutes ago, Zyrokai said: We're going to drive down car-centric streets that are far too wide to get from one side of Easton to the other and like it! Car-centric Easton streets. Far too wide! Urban, pedestrian-centric streets downtown. Now that's more like it!
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