April 5, 201015 yr Blighted tower might be gone this year Saturday, April 3, 2010 - 2:50 AM By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus officials hope to tear down the long-vacant Poindexter Tower by the end of the year. They plan to go to court this month to get the process rolling. Franklin County has foreclosed on dozens of condominium units for delinquent taxes in recent years to gain control of enough of them to file a suit to tear down the Near East Side building. The 10-story tower, built in 1960 as public housing, was emptied seven years ago. But the foreclosures took longer than expected, said Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard. Each unit had to be offered twice at sheriff's sale before it could be foreclosed upon, Leonard said. How did things get so bad? In 1993, developer Charles Adrian bought the building for $1 from the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. Three years later, he received a $2.4 million federal grant to convert the units into condominiums for low-income seniors. Adrian never completed the project. In 2003, the building was deteriorating and was so mired in debt that city officials told residents to move out. Each received an average settlement of $2,200 from the $100,000 left in Adrian's grant. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/03/blighted-tower-might-be-gone-this-year.html?sid=101
April 15, 201015 yr King-Lincoln “De”-vitalization 04 15 2010 While the rehab of a decades defunct Lincoln Theatre has been completed the remaining commercial buildings nearby continue to dwindle at a rapid pace, meaning less opportunities for spin-off revitalization efforts. The commercial building on the NW corner of Long and 21st was just torn down. Before http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_3996.jpg[/img] After http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_5389.jpg[/img] more on the Historic church nearby... http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_5394.jpg[/img]
June 2, 201015 yr Church razed; 'gaping hole' left Building had been major part of city’s development plan Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 2:51 AM By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Just eight years ago, Centenary United Methodist Church was touted as one of the King-Lincoln neighborhood's 25 "major community assets" and a key to plans to redevelop the historic heart of the city's black community. Today, there's a hole in the ground where the church had stood for more than eight decades. Crews demolished the church at 928 E. Long Street last week, just more than a month after an engineer's report determined it was unsafe and the city ordered the building stabilized or torn down. Second Baptist Church owned the building and already had applied to have it demolished. The demolition is the second along Long Street to recently anger some neighbors. In March, the city tore down a 100-year-old commercial building it owned to clear the way for a seven-unit condominium building at 1072 E. Long Street. LOCATION MAP PHOTO OF 928 E. LONG ST. - BEFORE CHURCH DEMOLITION PHOTO OF 928 E. LONG ST. - AFTER CHURCH DEMOLITION Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/29/copy/church-razed-gaping-hole-left.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
June 16, 201014 yr Blighted tower might be gone this year Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/03/blighted-tower-might-be-gone-this-year.html?sid=101 Update about the 10-story former Poindexter Tower building that is vacant and abandoned near the King-Lincoln neighborhood... City cleared to pursue razing of 10-story eyesore Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 2:52 AM By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The city is one step closer to razing a Near East Side eyesore. Now that Franklin County commissioners have transferred 23 condominium deeds to a community-improvement corporation, Columbus can go to court to tear down the vacant, 10-story Poindexter Tower. Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard said he hopes it will come down this year. The county has foreclosed on dozens of units in the building for delinquent property taxes, and now has transferred deeds for 71 of the 101 units to the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corp. That, Leonard said, gives officials control of enough units to go to court to begin proceedings. Another dozen units are in the early stages of foreclosure, he said. Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/06/09/copy/city-cleared-to-pursue-razing-of-10-story-eyesore.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
June 17, 201014 yr I think the previous failed private renovation and then vandalism is responsible for that.
July 1, 201014 yr 8 NEW HOMES ON NEAR EAST SIDE Federal aid helps transform neighborhood Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 2:52 AM By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Standing out on N. 21st Street are two of the new, "green" homes that were funded by $1.9 million in federal neighborhood stabilization money given to Columbus. Five of the eight new homes have been sold by the Columbus Housing Partnership, which developed them, for $140,000 to $160,000. MAP OF NEWLY BUILT HOUSES IN THE KING-LINCOLN DISTRICT Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/06/26/federal-aid-helps-transform-neighborhood.html?sid=101
July 27, 201014 yr I've been really excited to watch <A href="http://www.thewhitney-condos.com">The Whitney Condos</a> come along really quickly. Going to be a really nice anchor for this area. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/construction10.jpg"> It looks like the Whitney Condos are making good progress in the King-Lincoln neighborhood. I was kind of lukewarm on this project at the earlier rendering/site plan stage. But this is really turning out to be great looking infill project. I agree with Walker that this will make a nice anchor for the area. Here's the site plan: View of the buildings from Mt. Vernon & Hamilton - similar to the photo Walker took back in March: View of the same buildings from the other end of Hamilton Avenue: Here's a close-up of the same:
July 29, 201014 yr The NW corner of Long and 21st - site of a controversial demolition earlier this year - is now the site of an affordable condominium development project. Below is a view of the building that was demolished and a post-demolition view of the site. A two-story brick house remaining at this location would be renovated into two condo units. Two new buildings would be constructed on the remainder of the site. The total project would feature nine condo units across three buildings. NW corner of Long and 21st Before http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_3996.jpg[/img] After http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_5389.jpg[/img] This is the site plan for the project. The existing house to be renovated is at 1066-1070 E. Long Street. A new two-unit building would be at the corner of the site (1072 E. Long St. / 137 N. 21st Street). A new five-unit building would face 21st Street (141-149 N. 21st Street). This is a view of the project from Long Street. The existing house to be renovated is to the left. The two new buildings to be constructed are to the right. The brick clad building is at the corner of Long and 21st. The brick and clapboard sided building faces 21st Street.
July 29, 201014 yr Much more about the Long and 21st Street redevelopment project from Columbus Underground: CHP Announces “NoBo on Long” Condo Development Mayor Coleman, City Councilmember A. Troy Miller, and Amy Klaben, CEO of the Columbus Housing Partnership are unveiling “NoBo on Long”, a new affordable condominium development located on the Near East Side. This development consists of nine condo units spread across three buildings at the corner of 21st Street and Long Street in the King Lincoln District. Walker Evans of Columbus Underground recently spoke with Craig Murphy, Director at Homeport, a division of the Columbus Housing Partnership, to discuss this new development. Full interview plus additional renderings and plans at http://www.columbusunderground.com/chp-announces-nobo-on-long-condo-development
July 29, 201014 yr They've been busy on many residential side streets in the area, so I'm glad to see a Long St presence, although it's too bad it had to come at the expense of a historical commercial building.
August 7, 201014 yr Former Sawyer Towers complex attracts tenants since reopening Business First of Columbus - by Brian R. Ball Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 8:00am EDT When VTT Management Inc. bought the Sawyer Towers public housing in October, CEO Vaios Theodorakos hoped the Columbus project would attract eight to 12 new tenants a month. A bit more than a month on the market, the first half of the renamed Skyview Towers has signed 50 tenants following extensive renovations to the two-building complex. “It’s been received well,” Theodorakos said. “Way beyond our expectations.” VTT Management, based in suburban Boston, bought the 392-apartment complex off Leonard Avenue on the east side for $2 million from the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, which was selling several public housing projects it operated. VTT has put $3 million into one of the towers and expects to invest $2 million in the other high-rise during the next two years. The renovations have included an indoor basketball court, fitness center, boxing gym, pool room and laundry facilities. MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/08/02/story10.html
August 23, 201014 yr Been awhile since I posted an update on these, but they look 90% finished now. Nice! <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/whitney1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/whitney2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/whitney3.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/whitney4.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/whitney5.jpg">
August 30, 201014 yr For all the positive projects happening in the King-Lincoln area, there's still a nagging problem of demolitions on Long Street. This could be the third one this year. Near East Side building slated for demolition City is insensitive to historic nature of apartments, neighbors grouse Friday, August 27, 2010 By Robert Vitale THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Another Near East Side building built, owned and operated by black residents of Columbus’ segregated past is slated for demolition. City officials said yesterday that they’ve received an emergency order from their own Department of Building and Zoning Services to fix or raze the Charles Building at 905 E. Long Street. The 80-year-old apartment building originally was owned by Dr. William Method, who was known as “the dean of Negro physicians.” He helped build a hospital next door and taught others to become doctors and nurses. It was named the Charles Building after his only son. The city-owned building had been slated for a federally funded renovation by the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County. But architects told the city it would cost $2.1 million to renovate the building and $1.5 million to tear it down and start over. “Our recommendation at this point is to bring the building down and start new,” said Rita Parise, the city’s housing-division administrator. LOCATION MAP & BUILDING PHOTO Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/08/27/near-east-side-building-slated-for-demolition.html?sid=101
August 30, 201014 yr It's not much more to renovate it rather than tearing it down for $1.5 million and building costs. Looks like they want something resembling an East Campus Gateway. It's not like there aren't plenty of empty lots for new builds: and you know they're going to pale in comparison to the older structures.
September 6, 201014 yr More about Sawyer Towers, the former public housing on the near east side, turning into the privately-owned Skyview Towers: Article from the Dispatch: Diverse city living moves to low-income high-rise Project website: The Skyview Towers And a bunch of photos at Columbus Underground from someone who moved into the renovated building: Skyview Towers Apartments on Sawyer Blvd.
October 7, 201014 yr East Long Street has been losing the most buildings of any mixed-use street in all of Columbus in recent years. There was a great opportunity to bring back the entire intersection of E Long and N 17th. All of the red highlighted buildings shown on Google Maps which are now dirty, grassy lots. Two of them are brand new within a time frame of just a handful of months ago. http://columbusite.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/elongand17th.jpg[/img] Image from Google Maps With the recent demolitions of the Charles apartment building on the SE corner and the large church that sat adjacent just northeast of here, there is now only one building left in the same block as Urban Spirit Coffee Shop and the Book Loft, meaning rehabbing and occupying existing structures to create a little critical mass of local destinations and adding some residential density is entirely up to the whim of developers to rebuild in these spots, with the exception of the footprint where the Charles building stood: that is owned by the city of Columbus and will likely see development poised to happen somewhat quickly like the lot on East Long and 21st. The demolition of the church was declared an emergency, since parts of it were falling onto the street, which obviously presents a deadly situation for unsuspecting passersby. Unfortunately, I think we'll see once again why rehabbing vs. building anew is the way to go, since the vast majority of developers aren't looking at places like this the same way I do and are going to take their sweet time before rebuilding this street as they have for years. Before and after of he church. (Not visible in the SE corner of the before photo is the Charles apartment building which was standing at the time.) http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_5390.jpg[/img] http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_7374.jpg[/img] Charles building before. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_5391.jpg[/img] What's left of the Charles building at Urban Spirit Coffee Shop. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Long%20Street/IMG_7375.jpg[/img] East Long in King-Lincoln already had a high number of undeveloped grass lots, but now it may very well have the highest ratio of grass lots to buildings which is never a good sign for a neighborhood that is trying to attract more residents and businesses. At least this neighborhood has some awesome homes to fall back on. http://columbus-ite.com/2010/10/07/east-long-street-going-going/
October 8, 201014 yr ...rehabbing and occupying existing structures to create a little critical mass of local destinations and adding some residential density is entirely up to the whim of developers to rebuild in these spots... Wasn't it also up to the whim of developers to renovate those crumbling buildings in their current state? None of them were move-in ready for new retail tenants. They were all vacant and in need of hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs. Even the Alpha Building, that now houses Urban Spirit and The Book Loft was given a major major overhaul by owner and developer Peter Loscocco. It took someone with the money and determination to make it happen. And that just wasn't happening for any of those other buildings... which is sad but true. I'm willing to bet that development will occur on these lots faster over the next 5-10 years than it would have in buildings had they continued to sit empty and deteriorate. I'm a fan of historic preservation, and it was a shape to see certain buildings go... but the reality is that without private investment, there's really not a lot that can usually be done.
November 9, 201014 yr Well, this sounds like some troubling news for the Whitney Condos - an attractive infill development whose construction was documented on July 27, 2010 and August 22, 2010 in this thread: City may aid condo project with $3.4 million Tuesday, November 9, 2010 By Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus is prepared to spend $3.4 million to rescue a Near East Side condominium project that developers are struggling to finish more than three years after breaking ground. The money would refinance a $3 million construction loan the Whitney condos project received from the nonprofit Ohio Community Development Finance Fund in 2008. It also is aimed at reducing interest rates and keeping the condominiums affordable. The nonprofit Whitney Young Collaborative is building the 28-unit project at 733 Mount Vernon Avenue. Mayor Michael B. Coleman considers the project key in his effort to redevelop the King-Lincoln District. MORE: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/09/copy/city-may-rescue-near-east-side-condo-project.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
November 17, 201014 yr Committee to lead renewal on Near East Side Hospital neighborhood focus of aid Wednesday, November 10, 2010 By Doug Caruso, The Columbus Dispatch A new committee will help Ohio State University, the city of Columbus and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority get the most out of a planned $10 million investment in the neighborhood around University Hospital East. "We want to create a sustainable community," said Frederick Ransier, a Near East Side resident, lawyer and former city councilman who was named chairman of the 16-member committee yesterday. "There is great pride and history in this area." Ohio State and the city announced a partnership in February to improve the Near East Side. The university pledged to use $10 million to help the neighborhood near University Hospital East. The money would be generated from a city income-tax rebate on new jobs created through a $1 billion expansion at OSU's main-campus medical center. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/10/committee-to-lead-renewal-of-area.html?sid=101
November 20, 201014 yr I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Mayor eventually get this Whitney Condos bail-out loan through City Council. But at least for now, Council members are balking. COUNCIL MEMBERS' QUESTIONS City slows bailout plan for unfinished condos Thursday, November 18, 2010 By Mark Ferenchik, The Columbus Dispatch Some Columbus City Council members question why Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s administration wants to spend $3.4 million to bail out a stalled Near East Side condominium project. Council member Charleta B. Tavares had planned to introduce emergency legislation to provide funds to refinance a $3 million construction loan the project received from the nonprofit Ohio Community Development Finance Fund. Then the questions started. Now, the council will get a briefing from administration officials who want to rescue the Whitney condos, a linchpin in Coleman’s plans to revitalize the King-Lincoln area. Council President Michael C. Mentel suggested the briefing. A date has not been set. The mayor’s administration has said the money would help reduce the project’s interest rates and keep units affordable. The nonprofit Whitney Young Collaborative began building the 28 units at 733 Mount Vernon Avenue three years ago. No units have been sold, and no model units have been finished. That means there has been no income stream to pay off the original loan. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/18/city-slows-bailout-plan-for-unfinished-condos.html?sid=101
December 7, 201014 yr Update on the Whitney Condos bail-out loan from last night's City Council meeting: "A struggling condominium project on the Near East Side will benefit from a $3.4 million city loan. Columbus City Council members approved it last night during their second-to-last meeting of the year. The loan will refinance $3 million that the developers of the stalled project borrowed in 2008. It will be controlled by the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, not by the developers, the Whitney Young Collaborative."
December 7, 201014 yr I just can't help but think about the effect that 3.4 million would have had if spent on rehabbing existing homes or commercial buildings (the Edna). Where the neighborhood does attract residents seems to be the southern half: buying a condo up on Mt Vernon is much different than buying one (Hamilton Park condos) on Long St. Why do I have the feeling that unless an area is a current pet project of the city government that they wouldn't have received financial assistance. What about the planned condos to be built on an empty lot of E Main? Is the city going to give them the funding to get them built and then worry about being paid back later?
March 7, 201114 yr Paperwork slows Poindexter Tower's demise City talking with last few condo owners or their estates Thursday, February 24, 2011 By Elizabeth Gibson, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH It might be months before Columbus obtains a demolition order for the rundown high-rise on the Near East Side, but Franklin County took a step forward Tuesday by acquiring another block of condominium units. It now has 87 of 101 units in the 50-year-old building with seven more expected shortly. The remaining units are in the late stages of foreclosure, are owned by people in bankruptcy, or have owners who are still hanging on to the property, said County Treasurer Ed Leonard. The county has been seizing the units through foreclosure or when people are behind on their taxes. It has been consolidating the ownership under the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corp. If a foreclosed property goes to sheriff's sale twice without being bought, the county can claim it. The county doesn't need to own the units for Columbus to demolish the building, but it helps. The fewer the owners, the fewer parties Columbus has to deal with in court as it works toward demolition, said Columbus Assistant City Attorney Jody Spurlock. Also, if the building were demolished with 101 owners, each person would have an interest in the property and it would be difficult to sell. READ MORE: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/24/copy/paperwork-slows-high-rises-demise.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
March 18, 201114 yr Columbus Compact putting Old National Trail condos for sale in Olde Towne East Business First - by Brian Ball Date: Friday, March 18, 2011, 9:54am EDT The renovation of four Victorian-era homes into two-unit condominiums could boost the nonprofit Columbus Compact Corp.’s effort to re-enter the business of market-rate housing three years after the housing bubble burst. Columbus Compact CEO Jonathan Beard said the first two units of the developer’s Old National Road Condominiums project – from 1023 to 1051 E. Main St. and 379-81 S. Ohio Ave. – have occupancy permits and are set for sale through Carriage Trade Realty. The remaining six units should be completed between early April and mid-May... Read more at: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/03/18/columbus-compact-putting-old-national.html
March 19, 201114 yr I took pics a little while back. E Main right here was voted dry thanks to efforts by OTENA, so we'll see what effects that will have on improving the area. A lack of carryouts catering to the criminal element in the area can't be a bad thing here, but it could very well lead to higher concentrations of criminal activity pushed to eastern and western 1/3s of E Main between Downtown and the RR where remaining carryouts prioritize customers who buy malt liquor, loosies, and crack pipes. It only makes sense that Main St needs to be addressed ASAP: a lot of the area immediately around E Main is nice and then drops off immediately within a block or right on E Main: these are perfect places to see what OTE looked like over a decade ago since they've been mostly untouched by revitalization. Condos Smothered Gravy soul food restaurant: grand opening TBA, hopefully soon as it would compliment the condos across the street very nicely.
April 17, 201114 yr From the Columbus Construction Update - Spring 2011 at Columbus Underground: "Work on the NOBO on Long development in the King Lincoln District has made much progress in the past month. The historic building on the left is being renovated into 2 condo units, and the building on the right is a new build that will house 7 more units."
June 6, 201114 yr Columbus Compact putting Old National Trail condos for sale in Olde Towne East Business First - by Brian Ball Date: Friday, March 18, 2011, 9:54am EDT The renovation of four Victorian-era homes into two-unit condominiums could boost the nonprofit Columbus Compact Corp.s effort to re-enter the business of market-rate housing three years after the housing bubble burst. Columbus Compact CEO Jonathan Beard said the first two units of the developers Old National Road Condominiums project from 1023 to 1051 E. Main St. and 379-81 S. Ohio Ave. have occupancy permits and are set for sale through Carriage Trade Realty. The remaining six units should be completed between early April and mid-May... Read more at: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/03/18/columbus-compact-putting-old-national.html Columbus Underground recently interviewed the leader of the Columbus Compact Corporation, the non-profit developer that renovated the Old National Road Condos on the near east side. In addition to this project, they discussed other previous CCC projects in the area, such as the COTA Transit Center, Central Community House, Heritage Square Marketplace, Sherman Oak Condominiums and CCC's own offices located in the former Engine House 11 historic city firehouse. Old National Road Condos Completed on East Main By Walker Evans, Columbus Underground May 2, 2011 - 1:30pm This Wednesday, May 4th, the Columbus Compact Corporation will be cutting the ribbons on their latest development. The Old National Road Condominiums is a set of eight renovated units on East Main Street in Olde Towne East. We recently spoke with Jonathan Beard, President and CEO of the Columbus Compact Corporation, to find out more about this new development. FULL INTERVIEW: http://www.columbusunderground.com/old-national-road-condos-completed-on-east-main
June 9, 201114 yr The Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association revamped its website. Looks pretty good. http://www.oldetowneeast.org/ (P.S.: I also retitled this thread since Olde Towne East and King-Lincoln make up what is commonly refered to as the "Near East Side". And since there seems to be some Olde Towne East development heating up again, it made sense to include them into the previous King-Lincoln development thread.)
June 10, 201114 yr Really generic terms such as "Near East Side" are probably going to go away as Columbusites rediscover the old names of our neighborhoods or rebrand areas that didn't have specific names. Pretty neat if you ask me. In 1990 people only knew Clintonville, Beechwold, German Village, Franklinton and maybe the Short North (I don't remember; it was mostly a place to get tires then). Everything else was just a Side.
June 11, 201114 yr Well, "Near East" for the area between Downtown & Bexley and 670 and 70 is easier than knowing the boundaries of OTE, KL, Woodland Park, Eastgate, and Franklin Park. I think it'll be a while before the latter three become as commonplace in everyday speech.
June 15, 201113 yr Columbus C.E.O. magazine ran a cover story about a recent partnership between the City of Columbus, Ohio State University and the Columbus Metro Housing Authority in the Near East Side. The City, OSU and CMHA are working together to revitalize the Near East Side neighborhood surrounding OSU’s University Hospital East. (Full article at the link below) Fighting the Blight: OSU, Columbus and the housing authority have teamed up to resuscitate the Near East Side. Can this powerful partnership make it a good neighborhood again? View of the neighborhood around OSU’s University Hospital East from the hospital's helicopter pad.
June 16, 201113 yr Eh. The city of Columbus is the best of the bunch: I'm not impressed by CMHA and all OSU knows how to do is bulldoze a neighborhood for expansions. The handful of entrepreneurs that opened businesses in these neighborhoods have done more to bring life back ot the area than these three could ever hope to.
June 20, 201113 yr ^ I'm thinking that the City will likely be taking the lead with these neighborhood efforts. CMHA is involved because they have significant properties that they'll either renovate, rework or sell off. OSU is involved because their hospital property. But OSU seems more like the silent partner with the funding in this case. The $10 million for the neighborhood efforts referenced in the Columbus CEO story was negotiated by the City when OSU applied for tax breaks for their $1 billion medical center expansion on the main campus.
June 20, 201113 yr Local Matters and Circle 77 Launching Food Co-Op on Near East Side By Walker Evans, Columbus Underground May 31, 2011 - 4:25pm With the help of a $150,000 grant from The Community Health Funders’ Collaborative, Local Matters is working on the establishment of a community owned food cooperative on the Near East Side of Columbus. This area was selected for this project due to the lack of existing access to fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Local Matters is partnering with Circle 77, an existing neighborhood food buying club of fifty members who work to launch this resident-led project. . . . No specific location has been selected for the co-op as of yet, said Todd Mills, Development and Marketing Director at Local Matters, but members of community will be engaged this summer to help with the planning and identification of the location. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/local-matters-launching-food-co-op-on-near-east-side
June 20, 201113 yr Local Matters and Circle 77 Launching Food Co-Op on Near East Side No specific location has been selected for the co-op as of yet, said Todd Mills, Development and Marketing Director at Local Matters, but members of community will be engaged this summer to help with the planning and identification of the location. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/local-matters-launching-food-co-op-on-near-east-side Columbus Underground also had an interesting follow-up discussion on the location part of the food co-op proposal at "Where's the ideal location for Near East Side Food Co-Op?". Walker Evans got the conversation started by suggesting two possible food co-op locations. The first location was the Franklin Park Trolley Barn, which was a proposed renovation project previously discussed here. The second location was the former Carl L. Brown Foodliner IGA building at Mount Vernon & Champion, which is currently vacant. Other posters chipped in with some different locations for this tantalizing food co-op proposal.
June 23, 201113 yr Stalled condo development to restart with city funds Monday, June 13, 2011 By Mark Ferenchik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The stalled Whitney condominium project on the Near East Side should resume in the next month, now that city bond money is available to help pay to finish two model units. The project, championed by Mayor Michael B. Coleman as a key to redeveloping the King-Lincoln District, has been dormant since August after the developer, the nonprofit Whitney Young Collaborative, ran out of money. "The construction cost exceeded the available funds," said Steve Gladman, the executive director of the Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin County. "There wasn't enough money to fund the whole build-out." In December, the Columbus City Council approved a $3.4 million loan to bail out the project: 28 town homes at Mount Vernon and Hamilton avenues east of I-71. The money was used to repay the original $3 million construction loan from the nonprofit Ohio Community Development Finance Fund. The remaining $400,000 will help pay to finish two model units, plus cover landscaping, sidewalks and parking areas, Gladman said. His group controls the loan. READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/13/stalled-condo-development-to-restart-with-city-funds.html?sid=101
June 26, 201113 yr Columbus C.E.O. magazine ran a cover story about a recent partnership between the City of Columbus, Ohio State University and the Columbus Metro Housing Authority in the Near East Side. The City, OSU and CMHA are working together to revitalize the Near East Side neighborhood surrounding OSU’s University Hospital East. (Full article at the link below) Fighting the Blight: OSU, Columbus and the housing authority have teamed up to resuscitate the Near East Side. Can this powerful partnership make it a good neighborhood again? View of the neighborhood around OSU’s University Hospital East from the hospital's helicopter pad. This story (and two-page photo spread) gave me a chuckle. They could have used a much worse photo for "Fighting the Blight". If that photo represents Blight in Columbus, I'd say we're doing ok. ;)
July 10, 201113 yr The recently completed Old National Road Condominiums in Olde Towne East has a website: http://www.oldnationalroadcondos.com/ The project's private non-profit developer, The Columbus Compact Corporation, also has a website featuring its residential and commerical development in the Olde Towne East neighborhood: http://www.colscompact.com/realestate.html
July 10, 201113 yr Homeport Gallery Opens in King Lincoln District The Columbus Housing Partnership has maintained a presence in the King Lincoln District over the past few years through their involvement in development projects through their Homeport housing programs, as well as the successful North of Broad development. Their presence just expanded again with the grand opening of the Homeport Gallery, a new arts venue located in one of the retail spaces in the Lincoln Theatre building. Columbus Underground recently spoke to Kimberly Cox, Communications Coordinator at Homeport, to find out more about the new gallery. FULL INTERVIEW AT http://www.columbusunderground.com/homeport-gallery-opens-in-king-lincoln-district
July 10, 201113 yr Still more about Poindexter Tower, still waiting to be demolished. This time from NBC4: Vacant East Side Condo Likely To Be Demolished Soon By MIKE BOWERSOCK, NBC4 Published: June 24, 2011 An east Columbus icon that is also an eyesore will likely be demolished by the end of the year - if not sooner. Poindexter Tower, a ten-story condominium project that has sat vacant since 2003, is on the verge of being torn down. Franklin County only has two more condominium owners to reach an agreement with, but the county said it's going ahead with its planned demolition. The county hopes to get permission from the courts to demolish the tower by the end of the summer – in late August or early September. READ MORE: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/jun/24/8/house-hell-more-towering-inferno-ar-562917/
July 10, 201113 yr From the Columbus Construction Update - Spring 2011 at Columbus Underground: "Work on the NOBO on Long development in the King Lincoln District has made much progress in the past month. The historic building on the left is being renovated into 2 condo units, and the building on the right is a new build that will house 7 more units." Ink posted some updated construction progress for the Long & 21st condo project in the Near Eastside Columbus Progress photo thread:
July 13, 201113 yr Another installment in the Dispatch's on-going look at Columbus neighborhoods. This one looks at Olde Towne East - with an emphasis on businesses that have located at Oak and Parsons. Where We Live: A new life for Olde Towne Once dangerous intersection morphs into hot spot for eclectic shops, eateries
September 9, 201113 yr King Lincoln District has revamped their website - http://kinglincolndistrict.com/ Looks good. The front page has this nice four minute tour of the area: King Lincoln District in Columbus, Ohio
September 9, 201113 yr It looks like a new three-story building is coming to the corner of Long and 17th, where the city demo'd a vacant structure last year. Not alot of information yet, but there is a thread over at Columbus Underground: New development at Long and 17th?? Here's a photo of the lot at Long at 17th Here's an elevation of the new three-story building
October 10, 201113 yr From the Columbus Construction Update - Spring 2011 at Columbus Underground: "Work on the NOBO on Long development in the King Lincoln District has made much progress in the past month. The historic building on the left is being renovated into 2 condo units, and the building on the right is a new build that will house 7 more units." Ink posted some updated construction progress for the Long & 21st condo project in the Near Eastside Columbus Progress photo thread: The NoBo housing project at Long & 21st is now finished - with a ribbon cutting ceremony planned for tomorrow (Tuesday, October 11) at 1:30pm - according to NoBo on Long Development Celebrates Opening with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Columbus Underground. Here are a few exterior photos of the finished project from the Columbus Underground article. View of the project from the corner of Long Street and 21st Street Left: View down 21st of new construction --- Right: View of the restored building facing Long Close-up of the new building at the corner of Long & 21st. Restored building facing Long in background. MORE PHOTOS AND PROJECT INFORMATION AT http://www.columbusunderground.com/nobo-on-long-development-celebrates-opening-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony MORE ABOUT NOBO AT http://www.northofbroad.com
October 13, 201113 yr Another really good series of exterior photos about the Long & 21st development from the project developer: NoBo on Long 9-20-2011
November 23, 201113 yr It looks like a new three-story building is coming to the corner of Long and 17th, where the city demo'd a vacant structure last year. Not alot of information yet, but there is a thread over at Columbus Underground: New development at Long and 17th?? Here's a photo of the lot at Long at 17th Here's an elevation of the new three-story building An updated construction pic about this project at Long & 17th in the King-Lincoln from Columbus Underground at The List: 12 New Apartment Developments Around Columbus
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