The less traveled of the two main "Villages" off of the Short North, Italian Village is simply a great urban residential neighborhood and I have proof. Ironically enough, the only thing missing is an Italian restaurant, but that is easily forgiven.

 

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Notice the 2nd story door.

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Which is better?

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Yum.

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An obligatory shot for any thread on Italian Village.

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Residential.

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Industrial.

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I love small scale urban infill! Why isn't it happening in my neighborhood?  :|

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Couldn't resist.

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See? Kids love the city!

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The next five are of a mixed-income development with market-rate housing and subsidized low-income housing. Just goes to show it can be done successfully and right here in Columbus.

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There's a cardinal on the fence.

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Interesting brick work partially covering that window

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Mt Pleasant has the flavor of Olde Towne East.

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A quality school that is not being utilized when families are needed to maintain and improve  our neighborhoods.

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A little tip; Don't fall on this when you walk down Mt Pleasant. I feel sorry for anyone who missed this. Ouch.

 

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Beats Hamilton's Italian Village.

WOW!  Glad I have a fast connection.

 

Wonderful pics.

Once again, Columbusite you represent our city so well!!!

Nothing like Italian Village on a sunny day (my house at the extreme left edge of the first photo).

 

So, what do you think of our "new" "improved" "showpiece" Italian Village Park?

 

My Scathing IV Park Photo Essay is still on its way...

Fantastic photos Keith!

Nice!  It still should have an Italian Ristorante though...

^Start one.

Great photos! :D

^Start one.

 

I can't be giving out my family's secrets :)

These are some excellent photos of a fantastic neighborhood.  But for some strange reason, it's just not for me.  Columbus as a whole is not a city that I'd live in.  (It just doesn't make my heart beat like Cleveland or melt like Cincinnati.)  But I think that's what make Ohio so great.  The three Cs are distinctly different.  But hey, regardless of what I personally think of Columbus, it is the capital of the greatest state in the union, and thus the most important of the Cs.  Go Columbus.

 

PS - Does anyone else think the the freeway chopping it's way between German Village and Downtown in some way helped GV maintain it's uniqueness?  Just an odd, completely off topic thought.

Nice! It still should have an Italian Ristorante though...

 

We do:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/contentbe/dispatch/2006/11/30/20061130-W14-01.html

^^^ Molto bene!

PS - Does anyone else think the the freeway chopping it's way between German Village and Downtown in some way helped GV maintain it's uniqueness?  Just an odd, completely off topic thought.

 

I'd have to say no and if you look at my neighborhood which used to connect to GV they are definitely different. I'm pretty sure you could pick out the transition were that 1/3 of German Village still existing. Also off topic, I'll be visiting Fitchburg, MA (not under the best circumstances) and will take some pics, hopefully will be able to get a nearby town or two, as this is the most off-the-beaten-path area of MA, perhaps even New England. Back on topic, I must try Cafe del Mundo. How could I have forgotten that was there?

PS - Does anyone else think the the freeway chopping it's way between German Village and Downtown in some way helped GV maintain it's uniqueness?  Just an odd, completely off topic thought.

 

Definately not.  We would've had MORE German Village if had it not been for the freeway.

Okay, I just thought I'd ask because we have a neighborhood in Milwaukee called the Third Ward that is essentially downtown.  It was an Italian ghetto until the freeway sliced through it, knocked down the big Italian church, and sent the Italians farther south.  But looking at the neighborhood today, which is more akin to NYC's SOHO than anything else, it's very apparent that the clear cut dividing line from downtown has given the neighborhood much of it's character and uniqueness.  I'm sorry the same is not true for German Village.  It's still an amazingly beautiful neighborhood. 

Am I the only one that loves the friggin Wonderbread sign? Also the fact that it's backwards. I took a pic of it too. KOOW what all did they end up doing with that park? It was under construction last time I saw it.

Very pleasant area...great place for families within the City.

A purposeful panorama of Italian Village and the updated Italian Village Park:

 

Aww, Milos (sp?) is cute and at least shows that the park (which you're not a fan of, I gather) is somewhat useful. Damn, I update my pics....or just check out my blog for them.

Kids can have fun anywhere; he still pines for the trees, swings and slides, though. The concrete donut design does allow for epic skidmarks. I keep waiting for the letter from the Italian Village Society telling us to knock it off. I look forward to disregarding that letter.