April 25, 201114 yr I don't know what the downtown office market is like in Columbus, but with the cutbacks in state government and the steady increase of office use in the Arena District (isn't Nationwide building something for Columbia Gas up that way, or am I imagining that?), a high-rise office building just may not be in the cards for there.
April 25, 201114 yr The site plan shows an office type building on the SE corner of the park (Rich and 3rd). They've talked about having something like 400000 sf of office, so this would be a fairly substantial building. I believe all the parking figures are based on what is in the garage below the park. Most of the time, residential (aprtments or condos) pretty much require at least one space per unit directly accessible to the unit (in this case next to the buildings under the park). That will hopefully change at some point, but for not its just a reality of creating widely marketable apartments in Columbus. https://columbuscommons.org/FAQs.html Columbia Gas is building a new HQ in the arena district on the west side of nationwide arena
April 25, 201114 yr A 400,000 square foot office tower would be approximately 15 to 20 stories high for that particular parcel of land. I could live with that although I'd love to see a tower that was at least 25 stories tall.
April 25, 201114 yr I'm having a hard time placing where this new idea for apartments is going. Can somebody provide a link that shows exactly where the siting is? p.s. the renderings on the Columbus Commons site are practically torn out of Bryant Park in NYC....that place is definitely worth emulating imho.
April 25, 201114 yr http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons-renderings the development parcels are the orangish yellow boxes on the second plan
May 12, 201114 yr Couple of updates on future activities for the new Columbus Commons Park from Columbus Underground: Back to the Garden Comes to Columbus Commons Downtown Kickball Moves to Columbus Commons More about the Downtown Kickball League from DowntownColumbus.com: 2011 Downtown Kickball League moves from Capitol Square to Columbus Commons
May 15, 201114 yr http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons-renderings the development parcels are the orangish yellow boxes on the second plan Are there any dimensions of that site on the southeast site where the office building idea is? If they are on there I cannot make them out. Just curious, thanks. *is there a way to multiquote on this forum?
May 16, 201114 yr More about activities for the Columbus Commons park opening scheduled for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend: The Columbus Dispatch also had an article about the scheduled activities: Columbus Commons: Sounds of music to open park And there's more at a new website for the Columbus Commons project: Columbus Commons website
May 16, 201114 yr http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons-renderings the development parcels are the orangish yellow boxes on the second plan Are there any dimensions of that site on the southeast site where the office building idea is? If they are on there I cannot make them out. Just curious, thanks. According to the Franklin County Auditor's website, that parcel is 198' x 266' and listed as 1.293 acres.
May 17, 201114 yr http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons-renderings the development parcels are the orangish yellow boxes on the second plan Are there any dimensions of that site on the southeast site where the office building idea is? If they are on there I cannot make them out. Just curious, thanks. According to the Franklin County Auditor's website, that parcel is 198' x 266' and listed as 1.293 acres. Thanks. That is larger than I would have thought.
May 26, 201114 yr Columbus Commons Park is officially opening today. The Dispatch has a special section devoted to the past, present and future of the Columbus Commons / former City Center Mall site. Stories - Destination reborn: Park the start of something bigger - What you'll find: A play area for the public - Carousel: 'It's about the kid in all of us' - Activities: Plenty to see, hear and do - Free Wi-Fi: Reading room inspired by visit to Big Apple - Landscaping: Gardens reflect four seasons - Performance space: Showcase stage a year away - Downtown parks: Other cities boast urban oases, too Extras - Slide show: Scenes of Columbus Commons today - Timeline: A history of the Columbus Commons site - Time lapse: The transformation of City Center into the Columbus Commons There is also a neat multimedia section that lets you toggle between vintage and present-day photos in the area: COLUMBUS COMMONS MULTIMEDIA PAGE
May 26, 201114 yr Unless they got really busy on a mural last night, that ugly blank wall behind the stage is still there.
May 28, 201114 yr Good start....hope we hurry up and get some buildings up soon. yeah without the buildings it appears we razed the block and filled it in with grass!! everyone knows greenspace cures everything </sarcasm> (sorry, but looking at that picture above depresses me)
May 29, 201114 yr Walked by this afternoon and a lot of people were there: on a Saturday afternoon. Too bad so many restaurants were closed.
May 30, 201114 yr Walked by this afternoon and a lot of people were there: on a Saturday afternoon. Too bad so many restaurants were closed. Which ones were closed? We hit the new Burgers Dogs & Fries in the park itself on Saturday. There were also 4 or 5 food carts and trucks and tables set up with offerings from 3 Babes & A Baker, Mojo Tago, Mikey's Late Night Slice, Graeter's and more. I also saw the Cheesey Truck on Sunday. ;)
May 30, 201114 yr Some photos I took on Saturday: http://www.columbusunderground.com/photos-from-opening-weekend-at-columbus-commons <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-1.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-2.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-3.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-4.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-5.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-6.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-7.jpg"> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/commons-opening-8.jpg">
May 31, 201114 yr Awesome! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 31, 201114 yr Was there Sunday afternoon....had a great root beer float from Burger, Dogs and Fries. Noticed what a short walk to Dirty Franks, and Little Palace ......also looking forward to Mo Jo opening in Lazarus building......Great start Columbus Commons!
May 31, 201114 yr After looking at Walker's pics (nice pics BTW), I am looking forward to seeing what they do with this area during Red, White, and Boom. Also does anybody know if they are moving the Rib Fest back to this side of downtown or are they keeping it at the Arena District?
July 1, 201113 yr Commercial Real Estate & Construction Columbus Commons park raising hopes for retail surge Business First - by Martha Leonard, For Business First Date: Friday, July 1, 2011, 6:00am EDT - Last Modified: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 5:44pm EDT It’s 5:30 p.m. on a blistering hot Friday in downtown Columbus. Most workers are heading home, but some are strolling over to Columbus Commons where children, parents and others are playing, eating and lounging in the park. This makes Amy Taylor smile. “The park is all about bringing people downtown,” said Taylor, chief operating officer of Columbus Downtown Development Corp. Columbus Downtown Development Corp. Latest from The Business Journals Commons park lures quick-service lunch spotDesigner named for Scioto Mile eateryBotanical experts at Franklin Park Conservatory will keep new Columbus Commons in bloom Follow this company /Capital South. “We’ve seen families come here who haven’t been downtown in years.” http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/07/01/development-officials-hope-new-park.html
July 24, 201113 yr It looks like we're a step closer to filling more empty storefronts. Kudos also to Arshot for revamping the facade of the Fifth Third building facing the commons! Development update from The Dispatch: Park's success inspires neighbor Fifth Third building owner in talks to fill vacant storefront Sunday, July 24, 2011 03:14 AM By Marla Matzer Rose THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Fifth Third building at S.High and State streets has had a front-row seat to the opening and early success of the Columbus Commons park just to its south. Now, the building's owners hope to capitalize on that energy by adding a new plaza and new retailers along High Street. "Downtown has made such huge strides," said Bill Schottenstein, principal of Arshot Investment Corp., which is the lead owner and manager of the building. "Now we're putting the icing on the cake, but you don't want the cake to get stale. You have to build on momentum." http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/07/24/parks-success-inspires-neighbor.html?sid=101
July 24, 201113 yr Bill Schottenstein, who helped create the Brewery District, is a true visionary and Columbus is lucky to have him. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 25, 201113 yr Glad to hear someone else has taken an interest in the proximity to the park aside from Cup O Joe/MoJoe Lounge (yes, a Huntington Bank location is better than nothing, but there's the main one just a block north and it's not going to attract visitors after 5 which is what's really needed Downtown). Still, there are a couple of blocks a very short distance that are adjacent from this park and the Scioto Mile which by all means should have likewise seen a similar article on new interest on this forgotten stretch of High St. I've seen people hanging out at both places even after 5, and the last time I was at MoJoe it was discovered by more people and quite full. At least they get it.
July 29, 201113 yr Picnic With the Pops to swing Downtown Friday, July 29, 2011 - 03:05 AM By Jeffrey Sheban, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A long-term agreement to move the Columbus Symphony's Picnic With the Pops series Downtown could be signed as early as today, people close to the negotiations said. Under the five-year deal, the symphony would present its popular outdoor summer concerts next year at Columbus Commons, ending a 28-year run on the Northwest Side lawn of Chemical Abstracts Service. Plans for 2012 call for the symphony to perform 11 evening concerts at the commons, a 9-acre park that opened in May on the site of the former Columbus City Center mall. A major draw would be a $5 million permanent stage and pavilion - including two large projection screens - expected to be constructed at the north end of the park, which is owned and managed by Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/arts/stories/2011/07/29/picnic-with-the-pops-to-swing-downtown.html?sid=101
July 30, 201113 yr I've seen people hanging out at both places even after 5, and the last time I was at MoJoe it was discovered by more people and quite full. At least they sort of get it. Had to update my comment because an establishment that serves alcohol shouldn't closed at 8PM, especially when I need a spot to spend an hour or so drinking while a storm passes over.
October 6, 201113 yr From the Dispatch article "Downtown upgrades attract retailers". Capitol Square retail revival By Marla Matzer Rose, The Columbus Dispatch Sunday, September 25, 2011 - 8:35 AM Columbus Commons’ opening this year is beginning to spark retail interest. Stores are opening in the Shops on Capitol Square in the Capitol Square office tower, where most storefronts went dark after the Columbus City Center mall closed. “The removal of City Center and the addition of Columbus Commons has been an excellent addition to the demand for retail here,” said Bob Black, the Columbus-based senior adviser for building owner Hertz Investment Group. The stores are in the hallway between the 495,000-square-foot office building and the new Sheraton Capitol Square — formerly known as the Hyatt — across State Street from the Statehouse. The hallway was once a connector to the mall. After it closed, the walkway became a dead end. Columbus Commons developer Capitol South has created an entrance that opens up to the 6-acre park. A coffee shop called Capitol Cup is set to go into the glass-walled space facing the park by the end of October, where a florist once was. A newsstand has opened near the entrance to the Sheraton, and the recently opened Market 65 salad restaurant facing the building’s plaza is doing “unbelievably well,” Black said. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2011/09/25/downtown-upgrades-attract-retailers.html
December 6, 201113 yr I noticed the long-vacant bank building at Town & High no longer had a For Lease sign up today, and it looks like the outside had been given a much needed cleaning... anyone hear what is happening to the space?
December 6, 201113 yr ^It was cleaned a couple weeks before the formal opening of Columbus Commons. I didn't notice the sign was gone...but it would be exciting to find a tenant for the space.
December 6, 201113 yr This is nothing more than speculation, but according to the business first Columbus article below the owners of Burgers, Dogs and Fries and Cafe Lola are looking for a spot for a fifth restaurant along the Columbus Commons. The old bank is a good size structure and given the size of their other restaurants I doubt they would lease this building. "Ames said he may add another operation, which would be in another building on the Columbus Commons grounds, but no deal is in place yet." http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/11/cafe-lola-operator-setting-up-cafe-in.html
December 9, 201113 yr Oh geez, that would be a shame for such a nice building to offer bland food to office workers who don't want to wait in line for a quality lunch at places like El Arepazo. I've been to Cafe Lola a couple of times: very middle of the road. However, I can't blame them if no one else is going to take it and do something great with it.
January 17, 201213 yr An excerpt from a Business First article about State Auto signing a lease for three floors of office space at 175 S. Third Street (renamed 175 on the Park). The lease leaves the building 90% occupied - up from 65% occupancy when the current owner purchased it in 2009. The current owner believes the creation of the Columbus Commons Park next door has helped refill the 13-story building. State Auto staying downtown in move from Smith Bros. building By Brian R. Ball, Business First staff reporter Date: Friday, December 23, 2011, 6:00am EST State Auto Mutual Insurance Co. has signed a seven-year lease at 175 on the Park, a deal that will leave just 10 percent of the downtown Columbus office building vacant. State Auto will take a combined 54,000 square feet on three floors of the 13-story building at 175 S. Third Street fronting Columbus Commons park. It expects to move in mid-2012 from the Smith Brothers Hardware building, 580 N. Fourth Street. An affiliate of real estate investor Danos Tiano bought the building for $7.3 million in July 2009, when 70,000 square feet of the 197,000-square-foot building – or 35 percent – was vacant. (. . .) Tiano lauded the decision to create the park at the site of the former Columbus City Center mall. “I feel the park was a great addition for the downtown,” Tiano said, “and a motivation for State Auto to move into our property.” MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/12/23/lease-keeps-state-auto-downtown-in.html
January 17, 201213 yr Walker Evans at Columbus Underground also interviewed Michael Tiano of Tiano & Associates about the Columbus Commons and how it has affected their 175 on the Park building: Renovated Office Building Touts Columbus Commons as Amenity By: Walker, Columbus Underground Published on January 10, 2012 - 2:00 pm Columbus Commons officially opened last summer, and since then we’ve seen a handful of adjacent development taking place, including the opening of the new MoJoe Lounge and de-NOVO Bistro across High Street. On the other side of the park sits a dark glass office tower at 175 South Third Street, which was purchased by Tiano & Associates in 2009. Since then the building has begun a renovation project that helps to open up the backside of the building that faces the brand new park. “I believe that Downtown Columbus has had some significant growth and will continue to grow,” says Michael Tiano of Tiano & Associates. ”The only question is how soon the growth will be visible.” We spoke to Tiano for a Q&A session about his company’s commitment to Downtown and their approach to attracting office tenants through urban amenities. Q & A at http://www.columbusunderground.com/renovated-office-building-touts-columbus-commons-as-amenity
January 19, 201213 yr This is nothing more than speculation, but according to the business first Columbus article below the owners of Burgers, Dogs and Fries and Cafe Lola are looking for a spot for a fifth restaurant along the Columbus Commons. The old bank is a good size structure and given the size of their other restaurants I doubt they would lease this building. "Ames said he may add another operation, which would be in another building on the Columbus Commons grounds, but no deal is in place yet." http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/11/cafe-lola-operator-setting-up-cafe-in.html I've heard rumors that they're taking the other outdoor food space within the park itself. Last summer it was only used for special events. Not sure what the concept will be.
February 10, 201213 yr Have they started construction on the pavilion? It says coming in May. http://www.columbuscommons.org/visit/pavilion/
February 10, 201213 yr ^The stage construction has been underway for quite sometime; the cannopy structure has not been started yet, however.
February 10, 201213 yr According to the pavilion page, the stage and the back of the house walls and roof are complete and they will begin building the steel framing for the white tensile canopy this month. I haven't had a chance to check out the progress so this will give me a reason to make it over to the commons.
February 10, 201213 yr Have they started construction on the pavilion? It says coming in May. http://www.columbuscommons.org/visit/pavilion/ There are some photos of the Pavilion's construction at the Columbus Commons facebook page: Photos from October 2011 Photos from January 2012 More construction photos at Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion Construction And here's a rendering of the finished pavilion from the Columbus Commons website:
February 18, 201213 yr More photos of the Pavilion's construction at the Columbus Commons facebook page. This week the steel support structure for the canopy has been installed. Followed by the steel support structure for one of the video screens that will flank the stage. More construction photos at Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion Construction
February 27, 201213 yr More photos of the Pavilion's construction at the Columbus Commons facebook page. The roof structure for the pavilion canopy is now being installed. More construction photos at Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion Construction
February 27, 201213 yr I snapped this one Friday as I was walking by... getting closer to the fabric addition
February 27, 201213 yr The more time I spend in dt, the less I think this is the best use for this plot of land.
February 27, 201213 yr Downtown Columbus is probably one of the WORSE Major city downtowns I've ever been in.....SUCKS....No nightlife, attractions and everything closes at 5pm...If I was a visitor in this City I would never want to come back....No shopping centers in the heart of the city and public transit is horrible....
February 28, 201213 yr The more time I spend in dt, the less I think this is the best use for this plot of land. In what way? The large park was and still is only one step of the overall project. The entire High Street portion is supposed to eventually be developed into large residential/retail buildings. However, you can't force demand. It will happen when a developer steps forward.
February 28, 201213 yr Downtown Columbus is probably one of the WORSE Major city downtowns I've ever been in.....SUCKS....No nightlife, attractions and everything closes at 5pm...If I was a visitor in this City I would never want to come back....No shopping centers in the heart of the city and public transit is horrible.... Tell us how you really feel. :roll: Downtown is actually making huge progress in redevelopment. There are hundreds of new residential units being built or planned, at least a dozen new restaurants/bars in the last year, a new grocery store under construction, new parks, etc. It's not going to happen overnight, but Downtown is lightyears ahead of where it was just 10 years ago.
February 28, 201213 yr I think dt benefit more than any city in Ohio from a Paris/D.C. cap on building heights. The sealed off footprint of dt is so big that the only way to fill it (and dt's should be full of buildings, not parking lots or even large parks) is with a lot of 10 story buildings. All of which is to say, dt's open space should be along the river and around the Statehouse.
February 28, 201213 yr Not a bad idea. But it might happen on its own. Skyscrapers are really expensive, and we as a nation have kinda gotten away from the notion that every city needs a ton of skyscrapers to "keep up". Instead, it's more of an amenities derby today. Hell, Columbus as fewer skyscrapers than it did ten years ago since they tore down those Grant nursing school dorms.
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