"Columbus Monthly asked a simple question of people active in community affairs: What does Columbus need to improve itself? Here are the more than 300 answers from the 102 respondents, including Mayor Mike Coleman, civic association presidents, Titans, bar and restaurant owners and Jack Hanna. Check out the September issue of Columbus Monthly for the full story."

 

http://www.columbusmonthly.com/names.html

 

You can read these responses above. There's 10 pages of responses and while there's a lot to read it is interesting. Suggestions ranged from developing a Marina District on the riverfront and more convenience for current downtown residents to more parking and more Jesus (Yikes!).

 

Lack of ethnic neighborhoods or rather *accessible* ethnic neighborhoods is a factor that I don’t understand. Why is it that two of the largest immigrant populations, Mexican and Somali, have to be so far away from downtown? They are in the outskirts of the city. Pilsen, Chicago’s Latino neighborhood, is located only about 2 miles from the Loop. Ours is at least twice as far from our downtown and is totally disconnected from downtown and nearby neighborhoods. The only way to get there is by car, the bus would take forever.

 

When you think about it, transportation plays another important role other than moving people around. Mass transit can give a sense of place. Right now, there's some vague area out on the west side of the city where Mexicans live. With a light rail/subway stop smack dab in the middle there, it would take you to what Columbus Alive dubbed "Little Mexico" and that would probably be the answer if you were to ask someone where that stop takes you. I hope that situation will actually happen someday.

 

Getting back to what Columbus needs, I actually just posted my thoughts on this a couple days ago on Columbus RetroMetro. Building on the suggestion for a bodybuilding hall of fame, I say why not have a bunch of niche (nice way of saying "obscure") attractions? That bodybuilding hall of fame along with say, an S&M museum and an Atheism museum (they don't have to be museums and these are just examples I'm throwing out) together would make for an interesting day out. Of course, discount tickets to see all these attractions would be available rather than having to pay for each one. Some edgy public art, which Ms. Simonian from the Wexner Center suggested, is something that I think would compliment the niche idea. That, and a good to great mass transit system (of course) would spur the kind of development we want to see.

 

So what do fellow Columbusites and visitors here think Columbus needs? Did you find yourself in agreement with most suggestions or did you just shake your head in dismay?

I also read that. I agree with a lot of the suggestions. I liked the person who said we need more God! Just expressing my agreement with her with regards to my faith. In addition to better mass transit, one thing that caught my eye, oddly enough, was the part on shopping. I do think that Columbus does need better shoppping. I mean, how did Cincy and Indy get a Tiffany and Co.? And three more H&M's will be opening up in the Cleveland area. I think it will only be a matter of time before we start to get more high-caliber stores.

Having stores like Bloomingdales, Louis Vuitton, etc. will definately set Columbus apart. But then again, we have Ohio's only Cole-Haan, Henri Bendel, and Von Maur (not to mention in times gone by, Ohio's only Jacobsons, Lord and Taylor, and Gucci). I could be wrong about the Jacobons. Not only that, but my girlfriend told me that Chanel opened up a boutique in the Saks at Polaris and Nordstroms added a designer department to the Easton store. She said it seems like the transformation is beginning.

What Columbus needs is soul food and an image and then it would be a perfect place.

There is a little bit of a soul food presence, but they're not in the best neighborhoods. King-Lincoln is one such area to check out.

 

^^And I agree with the shopping options, but what fashionable clothing brands want to have a store out in some suburban mall? That Tiffany & Co is at Fountain Square in Cincy. This reminds me of another thing we need, good public spaces. Surround those with shops and restaurants topped with condos/apartments. We so need that.

No.

 

Linden Cafe, JP's, Chesapeake Food, etc are not "good" but they aren't necessarily "bad."  I'm talkin REAL soul food.

 

And what Columbus REALLY needs is a downtown.  That'll solve your "public square; Tiffany & Co [though they'll go to Polaris or Easton before downtown]; and restaurants" issue.

Columbus needs

Better mass transit

more inner city redevelopment (all cities do)

As Coldayman said an Identity-achievable by having something unique or well known that bears the city's name (i.e. not The Ohio State University). Something like a truly world class orchastra or shopping district or even Pro Basketball, Football and Baseball teams.

 

What is Columbus lacking? An Apollo program for its public school system. Serious mass transit. Aggressive downtown business development/attraction/retention. Smarter parking. More visibility for its ethnic communities. A five year moratorium on new housing starts outside of I-270. And I think I speak for all mankind when I say a touch less Jesus and a scosh more pig's knuckles.

 

On the topic of food, where's the good CHEAP ethnic food in Columbus?

 

Categories:

 

1) Indian (Taj Mahal on High is decent; Cuisine of India out in the Trainwreck at Polaris is okay, but $12 for Chicken Tikka? Get out of Mumbai...)

2) Mexican or Tex/Mex

3) Middle Eastern (Ghallaba, Mjadra, Tomato Kibbe, etc.)

4) Mediterranean (Again: Happy Greek? $12 for Pastitsio? Stavros please...)

5) Ethiopian (How's that place in high north of Taj Mahal?)

6) Thai/Pan Asian (No thank you, Molly Woo. Uncle Chan's out in Polaris okay, but again No Happy Money Yum Yum).

7) Polish (Really pushing my luck there, I know). One shade easier: Polish beer, specifically Tyskie, Zyweic, Piast and/or Okocim)?

 

Again: key word CHEAP. Like dinner for two for $15-$18 cheap. Such a thing is totally doable in Detroit. 

Agree with the food. I'd LOVE to see a Moroccan restaurant, even though I'm sure it wouldn't be the same as it was in Morocco. For Mexican food you have to go to the far west side and check out some of the taco stands. Middle Eastern, there's Nazareth and Al Ameer both in that Emporium square east of Cleveland Ave. I plan to try something besides the standards, so I can't vouch for those rarer dishes. And then there is that newer Polish deli in Grandview, Krystyna's. If you like pirogis they've got a wide variety and they're supposed to be freshly made. I don't think they're that cheap though.

Yeah, the west side definately has the best Mexican (gee...I wonder why...).

...And then there is that newer Polish deli in Grandview, Krystyna's. If you like pirogis they've got a wide variety and they're supposed to be freshly made. I don't think they're that cheap though.

 

Djekuje Bardzo for the tip. I'll check it out directly and report back my findings. By the way, "pierogi" is already plural. Say it right and you can score a Polish hottie like I did.

 

Na prawda!

Perhaps the new condos at 8 On The Square will be home to a future Tiffany and Co. or Cartier!? Who knows? It has an ideal location at Broad and High Streets, across from the Statehouse and surrounded by various businessess. Not only that, but maybe the transformation of the Lazarus bldg. will spur some upscale retail development. Or Mills Co. can sell City Center to Nationwide and they can turn it into the destination mall it is supposed to be for Columbus and Ohio!

Perhaps the new condos at 8 On The Square will be home to a future Tiffany and Co. or Cartier!? Who knows? It has an ideal location at Broad and High Streets, across from the Statehouse and surrounded by various businessess. Not only that, but maybe the transformation of the Lazarus bldg. will spur some upscale retail development. Or Mills Co. can sell City Center to Nationwide and they can turn it into the destination mall it is supposed to be for Columbus and Ohio!

 

Try Channel 4.

 

And City Center is a done deal.  Just destroy it and make it a mixed use mini-neighborhood.

I know. We're waiting...why again? So it can continue to be an eyesore (a useless one at that)? And make it a HIGH DENSITY mixed use mini-neighborhood, we are severely lacking in that department. Which street can you stand on, look down it, and see blocks of 10 story condo and apartment buildings with stores, etc lining the streets? In Europe, you can see that in cities a fraction of our size. Oh well, someday...

Columbus simply needs a soul.  People here are so stuck into a mundane, meloncholy existence.  It does not take much to please Columbusites.  Give them a half-way decent paying job, a house in the "fastest growing suburb," an SUV, a bar or two complete with a chain restaurant, a church and life is simply grand.  Columbus is the epitome of a boring city.  As much as I love living here, it gets to me sometimes (a part of me is looking forward to my current lease expiring).  I've just never witnessed people settling for so much less than what a truly vibrant city can offer.  It is one thing to be easy to please.  At least set the initial bar high.  This idiotic obsession with the Buckeyes is next to obscene.  A "city" willing to be defined by a college football team?  WTF?

"...And I think I speak for all mankind when I say a touch less Jesus and a scosh more pig's knuckles..."

 

Exactly me sentiments.  The religious establishment here has people so brainwashed to the point that they fear that if they have even an inkling of fun they will burn in hell for an eternity.  Ugh! 

 

Columbus simply needs a soul.  People here are so stuck into a mundane, meloncholy existence.  It does not take much to please Columbusites.  Give them a half-way decent paying job, a house in the "fastest growing suburb," an SUV, a bar or two complete with a chain restaurant, a church and life is simply grand.  Columbus is the epitome of a boring city.  As much as I love living here, it gets to me sometimes (a part of me is looking forward to my current lease expiring).  I've just never witnessed people settling for so much less than what a truly vibrant city can offer.  It is one thing to be easy to please.  At least set the initial bar high.  This idiotic obsession with the Buckeyes is next to obscene.  A "city" willing to be defined by a college football team?  WTF?

 

There's a reason demographers sample Columbus when they're looking for a "typical American city."

 

Unfortunately, Ohio's relationship with its colleges is for keeps; I heard a report a couple weeks ago to the effect that they're a make-or-break economic driver. That and they're crazy recession-proof.

 

I think the Columbus frustration is kind of like the frustration a high school guidance counselor feels for the pretty, popular student with loads of potential, but who chooses to merely slide by. 

 

Put another way, Cleveland is a brunette, Cincinnati seems like a red head, but Columbus is definitely a blonde.

^Jeez, thanks. Cincinnati gets to be the redheaded step child :[

I was going to say Cincinnati had grey hairs, but alas.

Columbus simply needs a soul.  People here are so stuck into a mundane, meloncholy existence.  It does not take much to please Columbusites.  Give them a half-way decent paying job, a house in the "fastest growing suburb," an SUV, a bar or two complete with a chain restaurant, a church and life is simply grand.  Columbus is the epitome of a boring city.  As much as I love living here, it gets to me sometimes (a part of me is looking forward to my current lease expiring).  I've just never witnessed people settling for so much less than what a truly vibrant city can offer.  It is one thing to be easy to please.  At least set the initial bar high.  This idiotic obsession with the Buckeyes is next to obscene.  A "city" willing to be defined by a college football team?  WTF?

 

I think it'll get your genus loci (or "soul") soon.  It just needs time to establish itself as a major city to gain an image and "soul."  We can look at a city like Austin, which previously lacked a "soul" as well, and see an image form.

^Jeez, thanks. Cincinnati gets to be the redheaded step child :[

 

I was thinking more in terms of her being striking, volatile and great in the sack.

  As much as I love living here, it gets to me sometimes (a part of me is looking forward to my current lease expiring). 

 

you don't mean that you'll move to a different city, do you?

Not sure, Summit Street.  I have been considering Cleveland or Cincinnati a lot lately.  I'm definitely not considering moving out of state.  Not at all.  Perhaps I will give Columbus another good year and see how it goes.  Ohio is my oasis in the desert.  So I definitely would not consider moving out of state.  Just considering all of my intra-state options.   

 

There's a reason demographers sample Columbus when they're looking for a "typical American city."

 

 

Columbus is actually losing that status because there are too many young people and not enough Hispanics for it to be a "Snapshot of the U.S."

columbusguy20 there used to be a jacobsons in franklin park mall in toledo too.

 

i dont think shopping option improvements will matter much as columbus already has a rep as a city big on shopping malls.

 

however, i agree when columbus builds up its cbd downtown it will go a long ways to get itself more of a personality. i hope to see that unfold over time as much more organic, rather than the fakey/corporate 'instant fun' places like the arena district (in appearance). rethinking city center asap might inspire this stuff to happen much quicker. the trolleys will help too.

 

 

Living in C-bus for the better part of a decade, I think Columbus needs to recognize the things it has done right and to quit looking for the big thing that will make it a "real" city.

 

If Columbus could dissect what the Short North and German village did to turn themselves around they could recreate some of the things that make those area's so vital.

 

So, foster more local business associations, guide and train them, give them the tools they need to make their contiguous businesses a neighborhood center, and let the neighborhood thrive.  As opposed to uber-government agencies throwing tons of money and power around, bulldozing neighborhoods and building lifestyle centers

What Columbus needs is soul food and an image and then it would be a perfect place.

 

And everyone here knows you're the man to provide both to C-bus. :-D

It sounds like you guys have expectations of Columbus that are higher than what is even feasible. And with that being the case, I'd suggest moving to Chicago or New York or something like that. Columbus is not going to change over night and it's not going to be some kind of ultra-urban wonderland anytime soon; it's not Dubai. You'll have to learn to like it for the pace at which it moves or move out.

It sounds like you guys have expectations of Columbus that are higher than what is even feasible. And with that being the case, I'd suggest moving to Chicago or New York or something like that. Columbus is not going to change over night and it's not going to be some kind of ultra-urban wonderland anytime soon; it's not Dubai. You'll have to learn to like it for the pace at which it moves or move out.

 

Couldn't that be said for 99.9% of every city in the United States.

No. There's plenty of large cities with a larger percentage of people that think the way people do on this forum.

 

I hear Beirut is pretty nice this time of year though.

^Jeez, thanks. Cincinnati gets to be the redheaded step child :[

 

I was thinking more in terms of her being striking, volatile and great in the sack.

 

technically according to urban ohio protocol, that would go for akron, dayton and toledo too. beware ginger kids!

 

What Columbus needs is soul food and an image and then it would be a perfect place.

 

And everyone here knows you're the man to provide both to C-bus. :-D

 

Go build a highway!

^ bring back marble gang - that was my hang!

I can't speak for others, but I don't think Columbus should be another Chicago or New York. However, there's no reason Columbus can't at least be a very nice/good sizeable city. Increased population density and decent mass transit should increase by a pretty good amount after the 1st streetcar route is finalized. When it is, I hope this will motivate developers to then seriously build where they can along that future route knowing that being close to a streetcar stop will offer unparalleled urban convenience in this city. Being able to park somewhere and take a streetcar to any urban neighborhood, just making this city walkable would make me happy.

However, there's no reason Columbus can't at least be a very nice/good sizeable city.

 

Columbus IS a very nice/good sizeable city already.  It's just that the Columbus natives regard the "town" as KnoxvilleNorth.  Meaning, a non-major city, which in reality, Columbus IS a major city.  It needs the "big city" attitude and confidence for things to really shape up.

I can't speak for others, but I don't think Columbus should be another Chicago or New York. However, there's no reason Columbus can't at least be a very nice/good sizeable city. Increased population density and decent mass transit should increase by a pretty good amount after the 1st streetcar route is finalized. When it is, I hope this will motivate developers to then seriously build where they can along that future route knowing that being close to a streetcar stop will offer unparalleled urban convenience in this city. Being able to park somewhere and take a streetcar to any urban neighborhood, just making this city walkable would make me happy.

 

But with an economy that allows us to live sprawled out, how could anyone expect Columbus to be extremely dense, pedestrian friendly, etc in the next 10 years? If environmentalism and urbanism was a priority we'd already have subways in every city and compact hydrogen cars. Unfortunately its economics that dictate how much we're concerned with efficiency...not because we want dense cities. Unless Columbus' inner city sees some huge economic boom, I don't see that happening. Cincinnati is dense because it's landlocked and older and it was harder to travel in the 1800s. It wasn't because people wanted live right up against each other.

However, there's no reason Columbus can't at least be a very nice/good sizeable city.

 

Columbus IS a very nice/good sizeable city already.  It's just that the Columbus natives regard the "town" as KnoxvilleNorth.  Meaning, a non-major city, which in reality, Columbus IS a major city.  It needs the "big city" attitude and confidence for things to really shape up.

 

It's needed that for 30 years now.  Look at our last 5 mayors; Stensenbrenner, Moody, Reinhart, Lusukita, and now Coleman.  Columbus would love be big-time/prime-time but prefers steady, quiet confidence while going Jeckel & Hyde with Cincy and Cleveland (some days we like to be under the other C-cities radars, other days we like to bitch-slap them)

Mant great "big cities" are that way because they attract people who like big city-center living while retaining a steady baseline of people on the periphery of the the city center, pumping dollars into it.

 

What would Chicago be without the northwest suburbs? Less rich, that's what.

 

Columbus has a rare commodity in relatively grit-free urban living. Hell, you don't get any less grit-free than Victorian Gate. Once the city center builds, successfully drawing outsiders to it, the sprawly ex-I-270-urbs will become a less a source of longing frustration and more the economic ballast Columbus needs to sail into its Big City Future.

 

Get it? Columbus? Sail? I'm so smart.

Coming from Dayton, I find this Columbus inferiority complex a bit odd since Cols seems pretty much a big city to me...it just feels big, (as well as having that dramatic skyline and those spread out suburbs)...and it has a sort of funky, "outside-the-box" side, with things like a pro soccer team, hosting Ameriflora, and building that replica of the Santa Maria.  And things like COSI and the Wexner and such. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What would automatically make Columbus feel MUCH bigger is if they had an NFL and NBA franchise. It sounds superficial but it's the absolute truth.

Ameriflora,

 

LMAO.

 

I remember taking a field trip to that in Pre-School. Delhi Township will forever be the Floral paradise of America though  :wink:

Columbus has Easton Towne Centre.  It needs nothing else.

How much is Wexner involved in downtown revitalization?

RiverSouth actually includes some input from Wexner, I believe.  So minimal, I suppose.  He could do much more, though.

Columbus needs a new city magazine. Columbus Monthly sucks. It's the worst of all the city magazines in Ohio, imo. I would say the best city magazine is the one in Cincy, easily.

However, there's no reason Columbus can't at least be a very nice/good sizeable city.

 

Columbus IS a very nice/good sizeable city already.  It's just that the Columbus natives regard the "town" as KnoxvilleNorth.  Meaning, a non-major city, which in reality, Columbus IS a major city.  It needs the "big city" attitude and confidence for things to really shape up.

 

I don't think I can add "very" to the label yet, that'll happen after we get those streetcars. I might even skip "very nice" to "great" once that happens. Having been to other cities in this country and internationally, a good transit system really makes things so much more enjoyable. I think it'll do wonders for opening the eyes of residents in central Ohio to what this city has.

 

^^And what exactly is Wexner doing? I never heard anything about that.

Keep in mind that Wexner was one of the "Titans" who pushed for the development of City Center Mall.  But as soon as things started to sour there .... with the development of Tuttle Mall and Polaris and (yes) Wexner's Easton Town Center..... Wexner pulled all of stores out of City Center and left the downtown high and dry.  Never lifted a finger to help figure out a solution or do anything visible to stem the exodus from downtown.

 

Now downtown is making a comeback.... no thanks necessary to Mr. Wexner.

Keep in mind that Wexner was one of the "Titans" who pushed for the development of City Center Mall.  But as soon as things started to sour there .... with the development of Tuttle Mall and Polaris and (yes) Wexner's Easton Town Center..... Wexner pulled all of stores out of City Center and left the downtown high and dry.  Never lifted a finger to help figure out a solution or do anything visible to stem the exodus from downtown.

 

Now downtown is making a comeback.... no thanks necessary to Mr. Wexner.

 

Exactly...and Easton happens to be conveniently near his estate in New Albany. I heard he's partially responsible for a lot of development in New Albany (multi million dollar houses) and Easton itself, although I've never read about it. Any time you build a new mall that draws from the same population center, the weakest link will see the biggest demise so with Tuttle, Polaris and Easton it's not hard to understand what happend to City Center mall and Wexner doesn't seem to be doing much to help strengthen the city of Columbus.

 

 

Being a billionaire owning so many brands, he has to have tons of leverage in the retail sector. He needs to get all of his corporate cronies to invest in downtown.

Partitally responsible?  He IS responsible for New Albany and Easton.

 

I don't think I can add "very" to the label yet, that'll happen after we get those streetcars. I might even skip "very nice" to "great" once that happens. Having been to other cities in this country and internationally, a good transit system really makes things so much more enjoyable. I think it'll do wonders for opening the eyes of residents in central Ohio to what this city has.

 

While having the streetcar is a major plus, the city itself was built for the streetcar originally and has retained it's urban quality ever since (save downtown, eastside, and westside ;)).  So still, Columbus IS a very nice city but when it gets the streetcar, it'll be a very VERY nice city :).

Doesnt Columbus have pro sports already?  I thought they bought the Hartford Whalers and moved them to that arena in the Arena District?

 

 

The Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh.  Columbus has an expansion team, the Blue Jackets.  But I suppose they mean the "main stream" sports like MLB, NBA, or NFL.