Transforming the University District

press release
Columbus author and city planner Kyle Ezell and a class of students from The Ohio State University  will present “How to Immediately Begin to Transform the University District into a National Model for Urban Redevelopment” as a public discussion on Monday, October 29, at 7 p.m.

The presentation, sponsored by the University District Organization, will be given in the sanctuary of the King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Avenue.  The presentation will be followed by informal discussion and refreshments.

Ezell, a lecturer in Ohio State’s City and Regional Planning Program, and students in his “City Innovations” class will demonstrate the tools needed for the University District to spark the changes necessary to make its neighborhoods extraordinary

Ezell is the author of Retire Downtown: The Lifestyle Destination for Active Retirees and Empty Nesters (2006) and Get Urban!  The Complete Guide to City Living (2004).  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Pre-registration is not required, but would be appreciated. To register, call 294-5113.

The presentation is part of the University District Organization’s Fifth Monday Series of community roundtable discussions.  The series offers programs on the fifth Monday of the month which focus on issues in the University District.

DEDICATION OF POINT OF PRIDE BUILDING AT FOUR CORNERS IN LINDEN

press release
Grand Opening of the Huntington Community Center for Linden Residents

(Columbus)  Residents of Linden, Huntington Banks Chairman and CEO Tom Hoaglin and the Greater Linden Development Corporation (GLDC) joined with Mayor Michael B. Coleman, County Commissioner Marilyn Brown and City Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig to celebrate the completion of the fourth and final piece of the historic Four Corners redevelopment – the Clarence D. Lumpkin Point of Pride Building, which includes the Huntington Community Center.

"This is like a dream come true," said Clarence Lumpkin, who first suggested that a community building was needed as a "point of pride" for residents during his address to City Council in 1974.  "This is an example of what can happen when government, the private sector and residents -- men and women of integrity -- come together and commit themselves to improving the quality of life for the citizens in a community."

The Four Corners Revitalization was officially launched in 1997 by GLDC’s then-leader Clarence Lumpkin and then-City Council President Michael Coleman to reverse decades of blight by bringing new jobs, investment, services and improved housing to the area.  The Point of Pride building is the last structure of the Four Corners project, located at 1402-1418 Cleveland Avenue in Linden.

“For many years, the corner of 11th and Cleveland was abandoned and ignored, overrun by crime and blight, but we rallied to take the corners back and I’m proud to see so much progress today,” said Mayor Coleman.  “This development is a tribute to Clarence Lumpkin and all the residents who have invested decades fighting to bring hope and jobs back to Linden.”

The $2.9 million Point of Pride building contains five retail storefronts as well as an 800-square-foot room to be known as the Huntington Community Center. The center will be used by community groups for meetings, home buyer education and financial fitness programs and a Saturday training program aimed at developing youth leaders for the Linden area. The community center is also available to private companies for leasing.

“Huntington has been involved with the Four Corners project since its inception,” said Huntington Bank Chairman and CEO Thomas E. Hoaglin.  “Huntington, Franklin County and the City of Columbus recognize that the Point of Pride building and community center can serve as the heart of this neighborhood. As the hometown bank, Huntington understands the importance of a community center, which can provide a necessary meeting place for the many organizations working to keep the neighborhood vibrant.”

In June, Huntington Banks and Franklin County gave the GLDC $700,000 in financing and grants for the Point of Pride project. The public/private partnership was designed to help add jobs and retail space in the heart of the Greater Linden community.  The building will also be the new home of a Subway sandwich shop, an office for Nationwide Insurance, Project Linden, the Greater Linden Development Corporation, a Footworks Store, and an office for engineering firm Malcolm Pirnie.

“We recognize the social and cultural values that the Linden neighborhood holds for many residents in our community,” stated Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “The area’s development, including this wonderful Huntington community center, will serve as the cornerstone in bringing people and jobs to this truly historic neighborhood.”

The City of Columbus offered a 75%, 10-year tax abatement on real and personal property and loaned the Greater Linden Development Corporation more than $700,000 toward the project.

"This corner serves as a beacon of hope for the children and families that call the Linden neighborhood home," said Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig. "Investment from companies like Huntington will ensure the legacy of Mr. Lumpkin will be cherished for generations to come."

The City of Columbus has supported Four Corner projects since the plan was launched, including loans for the Crosstown Building at 1380 Cleveland Ave, $1.35 million to build the Neighborhood Policing Center at 1371 Cleveland Avenue, and $4.3 million for the new Fire Station #18 at 1630 Cleveland Avenue that opened last year.  Each private construction project also received a 10 year, 75% property tax abatement.

Cleveland Avenue was reconstructed around the time the COTA Transit Center was built, with $1.7 million from the City’s NCR fund, and $123,600 from UIRF for the streetscape improvements directly around the Transit Center.  UIRF also invested $600,000 to remove overhead wires from the intersection, install traffic signal mast arms and construct new brick crosswalks.  Also, around the time the CMHA building was being constructed, the City also helped get several houses renovated or built on Chittenden directly behind CMHA.

Mayor created the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation in 1997 specifically to help lead the Four Corners development, and that group continues to serve as a leading partner with the City on urban revitalizations projects, including the Northland Mall site, Gowdy Field, West Edge Business Center and South Parson’s “The Avenue” Plan.

"Cool towns need a Linus Torvalds/Steve Jobs combo" CoolTown Studios

I've quoted Neil and his blog for CoolTown Studios many times in the past. He is on to something that I think has growing potential with his concept of crowdsourcing and beta communities. If you haven't heard about this innovation yet, follow the article and browse through some of the overview information you'll find on the site.

The basic idea is that you bring the stakeholders in any given development project, be it mixed-use or residential, and get them involved in helping shape the project from the onset as opposed to guessing what they want and then trying to sell it to them after you build it.

Who's going to know better what a customer wants than the customer?: 

Link: Cool towns need a Linus Torvalds/Steve Jobs combo
Neil Takemoto
CoolTown Studios
October 24, 2007

I am speaking on a panel today at the Urban Land Institute's annual conference in Vegas, and the inevitable question will be, "What is it that you exactly do?" The tagline above says it pretty succinctly, crowdsourcing cool places for creatives, which after explanation comes, "How is this done?"

By training city, business and community leaders to become a figurative combination of Linus Torvalds, inventor of Linux, and Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple. First, it's important to understand what makes these two entrepreneurs so extraordinary...

"Rt. 161/I-270 ramp, tunnel, Sunbury interchange opened" The Columbus Dispatch

I've noticed some folks beating up on the fact that this project cost over $134 million "transportation" dollars out in the blogosphere. I always respect various opinions and perspectives, but I always wonder what the value would be of the extensive amount of time which is spent on expressing those opinions and what it would equate to if that energy was converted into a plan of action that worked towards:

Link: Rt. 161/I-270 ramp, tunnel, Sunbury interchange opened
Tim Doulin
The Columbus Dispatch
October 25, 2007

Motorists in the Rt. 161 and I-270 area on the Northeast Side this morning can expect to drive on a redesigned ramp that includes a 440-foot-long tunnel and some other new sections of the Northeast Expressway Transformation project.

The Ohio Department of Transportation planned to open the Rt. 161 west ramp to I-270 south last night. The ramp includes the tunnel, the first of its kind in central Ohio...

Again, as I've said in the past we are a predominantly a suburban city with suburban transit needs right now. Don't complain about the work that needs to be done to keep things moving and growing, despite whether it is feeding sprawl. Take the time that you use to generate your complaint and start working on the solution.

My recommendation, pick any urban issue that interests you the most and needs the most help and dedicate yourself to it. Move aggressively beyond the keyboard, beyond the expression of thought and opinion and get organized. Solicit the help of those that may share your interests and concerns, learn the law, zoning, code or whatever governmental guidance that is not up to snuff and find the gaps that you can fill.

It's hard work, but if your heart is truly where your words are, your actions will make a difference.

I'll be the last person to try and claim exemption from my own advice...I'm guilty of spending more time thinking and formulating than working towards any one goal. I hold myself back by splitting myself into too many pieces.

Concentrate, focus and go change something big.

"Newark group plans restoration project for east end" The Columbus Dispatch

The first sentence of this article states the pieces that are required for a successful revitalization of any downtown: private and public collaboration. I want to keep an eye on how this process goes for a city much smaller than Columbus:

Link: Newark group plans restoration project for east end
Josh Jarman
The Columbus Dispatch
October 25, 2007

NEWARK, Ohio -- A group of residents, business owners and local officials who want to restore some glory to the city's struggling east end will unveil their ideas during a special presentation tonight.

Officials will discuss comments they have received from the public since the project was announced nearly two years ago. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the Works, 55 S. 1st St. in Newark.

The plan calls for a reinvestment in the city's east side to restore some of the architectural elements that led to it once being known as Newark's Little New Orleans. Organizers plan to ask property owners along E. Main Street to refurbish buildings with second-story balconies and wrought iron accents...

"Columbus City Council plan will limit development at exit" The Columbus Dispatch

Now this type of article is what I like to see when talking about new development. Granted, it's just an interchange but to see the city talking about planning ahead is refreshing:

Link: Columbus City Council plan will limit development at exit
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
October 23, 2007

Sometime before 2012, the Ohio Department of Transportation plans to build a freeway interchange on Rt. 33 at Bixby Road.

Columbus officials say they don't want an explosion of fast-food joints, gas stations and major retailers to follow.

A plan approved last night by the City Council calls for the area in the southeastern portion of Columbus to focus on office parks and office buildings, smaller retailers and restaurants when development eventually comes.

Instead of the usual highway-exit hubbub, the plan calls for a walkable area with tree-lined streets, plazas, sidewalks and bike trails.

"We wanted to get ahead of the curve … and avoid what too often is haphazard development," said Kevin Wheeler, assistant administrator of the city planning division...

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GCAC TO HOST ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL ARTISTS

press release
Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council invites local artists to participate in a series of discussions about their needs for success, and how GCAC can better play a role in helping them reach their goals.

GCAC will host four Artist Roundtable discussions throughout November at various Columbus-area locations to get feedback from the individual artist community. The following is a list of dates, times and locations for each session:

- 5-7 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 7 at the Columbus Music Hall, 734 Oak St.
- 7-9 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 8 at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Ave.
- 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 12 at the Columbus Dance Theatre, 592 E. Main St.
- 4-6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 18 at the Panera Bread meeting room in Clintonville, 4519 N. High St.

GCAC’s Artist Roundtables are part of a larger effort to provide more professional development and networking opportunities for the area’s individual artists.

“Individual artists are the cornerstone of our creative community,” said Bryan W. Knicely, GCAC President. “In our strategic plan, released in July, we laid out plans to provide more opportunities to help artists with their work, and this is the beginning piece of those plans.”

All sessions are open to any individual artist, regardless of medium. Students are also welcome. To attend one of the Artist Roundtables, RSVP to Alicia Oddi, GCAC Grants and Services Director, at aoddi@gcac.org or 224-2606 X 807.

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community.

"Builders warn against Darby housing levy" The Columbus Dispatch

This is another circumstance where alternate forms of funding for public infrastructure are approached through additional fees and taxes:

Link: Builders warn against Darby housing levy.
Mark Ferenchik
The Columbus Dispatch
October 6, 2007

A community-development authority that would tax new homeowners could quash demand for housing near Big Darby Creek, the head of a builders' group says...

...Ten mills would cost $306.50 a year per $100,000 of house value. The money would be used to buy land to preserve open space and to put in such things as roads and sewers....

...He said [Jim Hilz, executive director of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio] that amount could stymie home builders and the proposed town center that would concentrate up to 5,000 houses off W. Broad Street in what is now Prairie and Brown townships...

Other means of paying for needed infrastructure are impact fees, such as Columbus' "Pay as you grow" fees that can charge developers up to $2000 per new home to offset the cost of building the public infrastructure needed to service the new homes.

I've seen and agree with the need for the additional funding and I have seen builders objections to these fees, but I haven't seen what builders would propose to offset that capital costs of putting in the infrastructure to service the homes they wish to sell for profit.

In my mind it is a luxury to have land and a home in a suburban area. I know that sounds backwards coming from me but I mean that it is a luxury to land in general. Should cities have to pay for you sewer line just because you decided to move somewhere that was off the existing grid, especially when we have so much underutilized land within our urban neighborhoods?

Sure, you don't need to live in an urban area and it is completely a matter of preference, but if you choose to move somewhere new, and request new infrastructure be put in, that is a luxury that you should pay for from my perspective.

 

"Pint-size car touted as the next big thing" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Pint-size car touted as the next big thing
Rob Douthit
The Columbus Dispatch
October 22, 2007

ATLANTA -- You might call it a fancy golf cart, but its makers call it a Smart car and think it makes sense for fuel-efficient urban transportation.

The Smart car, a two-seater built by Mercedes, has been in existence since 1998 in 36 countries. It will make its U.S. debut early next year.

Penske Automotive Group, which is distributing the car in this country with its Smart USA subsidiary, hopes that high gasoline prices and traffic-clogged urban streets will make the Smart car a U.S. hit...

smartusa.com

I saw my first actual Smart car just the other day over the weekend stopped at a light at Fifth and N. High. They are Tie-neee. I would be a little nervous from the crash standpoint but I have a feeling that these cars will catch on, especially in the urban areas of Columbus.

Once there are more and more tiny cars on the road we'll all feel safer in our own tiny car.

"Federal official says I-80 tolling far from done deal" WSYX6.com

This is one of the first more local cases of alternate highway funding arrangements I've seen come up.

Since the gasoline tax that was created some 50 years ago to fund the maintenance of our highway system has been falling short of the revenue it needs to keep up with the upkeep, new arrangements are evolving to collect the revenue needed to keep our highway safe and drive-able:

Link: Federal official says I-80 tolling far from done deal
WSYX6.com
October 22, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal highway official says Pennsylvania should not assume it will get permission to charge tolls on Interstate 80.

Last week, two state agencies signed a 50-year lease to turn I-80 into a toll road and applied for federal permission...

"No getting around roundabout craze" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: No getting around roundabout craze
Martin Rozeman
The Columbus Dispatch
October 22, 2007

Central Ohioans are turning to the right more often these days. That's because of the growing popularity of roundabouts, not conservative politics.

Long popular in Europe and Australia, the circular intersections where everyone turns right are becoming trendy here, too.

An unofficial count by the engineering and architectural design firm Burgess & Niple showed eight roundabouts moving traffic in central Ohio with four under construction and 19 more planned...

Mayor and Council Move to Annex Cooper Stadium To Allow Future Redevelopment in City

press release
(Columbus)  Cooper Stadium, long-time Franklinton home of Baseball’s Triple-A Columbus Clippers, is on-deck to become a part of the City of Columbus after 75 years in Franklin Township.  Mayor Michael B. Coleman is forwarding Ordinance #1665-2007 to City Council for first reading on Monday to annex the property, which is owned by Franklin County.

“We want to see Cooper Stadium reborn as an asset to the entire community, whether as a site for recreation and tourism or jobs and business development,” said Mayor Coleman.  “The City is in the bullpen, ready to help our partners the Franklin County Commissioners as they pitch private developers.  The City is already engaged in the surrounding area, with hundreds of jobs being developed at West Edge Business Park and our efforts to improve housing throughout Franklinton.”

Franklin County recently put Cooper Stadium’s 47.2 acre site up for sale in anticipation of the 2009 move of the Clippers to the new downtown Huntington Park.  The City’s goal is to see quality development that will have a positive impact on the neighborhoods surrounding Cooper Stadium.

"The Cooper Stadium site has been an important part of Columbus minor league baseball history and could play a major role the economic revitalization of the near West Side,” said Councilmember Maryellen O’Shaughnessy.

Council is expected to consider the legislation at its October 22 meeting.  Once approved, the City will file a petition with the Franklin County Commissioners for approval of the annexation.

"City has eyes on Cooper Stadium" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: City has eyes on Cooper Stadium
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
October 20, 2007

...The City Council will take up legislation Monday to annex the 47 acres of ballpark, work buildings and parking lots, which have been part of Franklin Township since before the stadium opened in 1932. Annexation also needs approval from Franklin County, which owns the land.

County commissioners put the stadium site up for sale last month, hoping it gets snatched up by private developers with big plans. A proposal backed by Franklinton business leaders, to turn the site into a Harley-Davidson dealership and tourist attraction, fell through this year...

"Courthouse price tag soars by $11 million" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Courthouse price tag soars by $11 million
Barbara Carmen
The Columbus Dispatch
October 19, 2007

Franklin County commissioners were reeling from sticker shock yesterday, after learning their dazzling, $105 million glass courthouse could run 10 percent over budget unless they make hard choices.

"It looks like $11 million in compromises," Commissioner Paula Brooks said after meeting with architects.

Designers described the proposed ways to stay on budget as "value engineering options."...

"State agency OKs $1.25M in grants, loans for apartments" Business First of Columbus

Link: State agency OKs $1.25M in grants, loans for apartments
Matt Burns
Business First of Columbus

October 19, 2007

A $5.8 million low-income apartment complex near Columbus' burgeoning King Lincoln Arts and Entertainment District is set for construction next year after the state approved more than $1 million in gap financing.

The Ohio Housing Finance Agency said it awarded $250,000 in federal dollars to Community Housing Network Inc. for its Jefferson Avenue Apartments project. The federal Home program is the largest federal block grant offered to state and local governments for low-income housing projects. The agency also awarded Community Housing a $1 million housing development loan for the project, scheduled to be completed by August 2009...

...The final product will be a 49,000-square-foot, 39-unit development sitting on about an acre with units structured in pricing for families earning 35, 50 and 60 percent of the area's median gross income, about $51,500. Susan Weaver, Community Housing's executive director, said tenants pay 30 percent of their income for rent while the rest is subsidized...

"Commission: Walgreens disappointed us" Columbus Local News

Link: Commission: Walgreens disappointed us
Khalila Perrin
Columbus Local News
October 16, 2007

...The move also would create dangerous traffic congestion at the drive-through and entryway into the parking lot, Deeds said.

Deeds and Shannon were open to residents' suggestions, but not concerning the building's setback, said Shannon.

"We are here to try to incorporate as many of your concerns that we can," Shannon said, but added, "We are not going to be changing the location of the proposed Walgreens to abide by the urban commercial overlay standards which do not exist," said Shannon, referring to the fledgling commission's lack of an urban commercial overlay...

"Promote area, not just hotels, city told" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Promote area, not just hotels, city told.
Marla Matzer Rose
The Columbus Dispatch
October 19, 2007

...A full-service, 500-room hotel across High Street from the Greater Columbus Convention Center holds promise for the city, said Jeff Sachs of Atlanta-based Strategic Advisory Group. But for such a multimillion-dollar project to be a success, the city must do a better job of marketing itself.

A survey showed that having a 500-room hotel would improve the city's chances of landing a meeting. Meeting planners surveyed who said they would "definitely" or "probably" consider Columbus rose from 10 percent to 26 percent based on adding the hotel. But the number who said they "definitely would not" consider Columbus remained at 48 percent, indicating that planners don't think the city is a strong draw for conventioneers...

"Developer pulls the plug on RaceQuip condos" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: Developer pulls the plug on RaceQuip condos
Sue Hagan
ThisWeek Community Newspapers
October 18, 2007

A year after the Merion Village Association approved the project, real estate developer Doug Tenenbaum has decided against converting the old RaceQuip Safety Systems building into condominiums.

Tenenbaum said his decision is based on zoning and variance issues, construction costs and potential sales prices.

"Even though we obtained parking variances, we would have needed to come back for additional parking variances," he wrote in an e-mail. "The result of the current variances essentially forced us into one-bedroom units that had limited marketability resulting in lower sales price (per square foot) and desirability."...

"Report: September home sales down 13% in region" Business First of Columbus

Link: Report: September home sales down 13% in region
Business First of Columbus
October 19, 2007

Sales of single-family housing in Central Ohio declined 13 percent in September, the Columbus Board of Realtors reported, a signal the region's housing market remains soft.

The organization said 1,851 houses and condominiums were sold in the region last month, down from 2,134 sold in September 2006. Columbus-area homes in contract dropped 15 percent to 1,606, from 1,896 a year earlier.

The report does not include sales of newly constructed houses by builders.

September marked the seventh month this year that housing sales had fallen from a year earlier. A 5 percent sales rise during July broke a five-month downturn that resumed in August...