Mayor and Neighborhood Leaders Kick Off $15.8 Million High Street Revitalization Project

press release
(Columbus) Flanked by business owners and residents, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Councilmember Hearcel Craig officially kicked off the $15.8 million neighborhood revitalization project today on High Street, between Lane and Arcadia avenues, in an area known as Old North Columbus.

“The City is investing in the future of this commercial corridor just north of the Ohio State campus to make it safer and more attractive for people to ride their bikes, walk and shop in area small businesses,” said Mayor Coleman. 

Details of the project include:

• Storm sewers to alleviate flooding during heavy rain storms;
• Water lines;
• Sidewalks, curbs and ADA curb ramps;
• Traffic signals and 85 decorative street lights;
• Street trees;
• 40 bike racks;
• Two over-the road arches to welcome people to Old North Columbus;
• Street resurfacing.

In addition, Hudson Street will be widened between Neil and East avenues to make turning onto High Street easier, and new sewers will be installed on W. Dodridge Street, from High to Neil, and on all side streets from High to the first alley within the projects boundaries.

"The small businesses that line High Street are essential portions of the fabric that make the University Area so unique among our many energetic and vibrant neighborhoods," said Councilmember Hearcel Craig, Chair of the Minority and Small Business Development Committee. "These businesses will benefit greatly from the infrastructure improvements we as a City are making."

“When completed late next year, this project will greatly improve the aesthetics as well as the infrastructure of the High Street corridor and the northern gateway to the University District,” said Ian McConnell, president of the University Area Commission.

The project will complement the South Campus Gateway, a neighborhood revitalization partnership between Ohio State, Campus Partners and the City of Columbus completed in 2004 and the $5.3 million Clintonville Streetscape Project completed in 2005 on High Street between Arcadia and Torrence avenues.

"High Street getting $15.8 million tune-up north of Lane" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: High Street getting $15.8 million tune-up north of Lane
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
May 29, 2008

More arches are coming to High Street — but these won’t have lights.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced plans today for a $15.8 million spruce-up of N. High Street in the University District that will include new storm sewers and water lines below ground and new pavement, sidewalks, bike racks, streetlights, trees and arches up above.

“They won’t have lights, will they?” Coleman joked, referring to the city’s long-running battle to get arch lights working in the Short North. The two new arches — at Lane Avenue and Arcadia Avenue — won’t be lighted, but city officials said they’ll include everything needed if someone wants to add lights in the future...

"City begins North High Street revamp effort" Business First of Columbus

Link: City begins North High Street revamp effort
Business First of Columbus
May 29, 2008

City officials on Thursday kicked off a planned $15.8 million revitalization project on North High Street in an area known as Olde North Columbus.

The project, which will complement the South Campus Gateway district to the south, is aimed at making the three-quarter-mile stretch between Lane and Arcadia avenues more pedestrian- and business-friendly, Mayor Michael Coleman said in a release...

"State's preliminary capital budget includes funds for Grandview Yard" This Week News

Link: State's preliminary capital budget includes funds for Grandview Yard
Alan Froman
This Week News
May 21, 2008

The state's preliminary capital budget includes $200,000 in funding for the Grandview Yard project.

The state is proposing to allocate the funding for a new public park and open green space in the development.

"Certainly, we're thrilled with this news," Mayor Ray DeGraw said.

Along with a park, it is also expected that bike trails will be routed through the Grandview Yard site, he said...

"Senate OKs stimulus package, capital bills" Business First of Columbus

Link: Senate OKs stimulus package, capital bills
Business First of Columbus
May 29, 2008

...The chamber late Wednesday passed House Bill 554 and House Joint Resolution 5. The package would place a $400 million bond issue before voters in November to renew state's $400 million Clean Ohio initiative, a key element of the jobs plan Strickland unveiled in February.

The $1.2 billion balance of the plan is funded from existing state revenue sources and will head to public works projects, a higher-education work-force program, advanced and renewable energy technologies, and historic preservation tax credits...

"Ohio Senate approves abandoned-homes bill" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Ohio Senate approves abandoned-homes bill
Jim Siegel
The Columbus Dispatch
May 29, 2008

More than 4,100 vacant residential properties stain the landscape across Columbus, but city officials hope a bill passed by the Ohio Senate today will help them get those buildings into the hands of new owners.

The bill was part of another active legislative day. But lawmakers aren't done yet. Leaders plan to return on June 10 to handle the new, $1.3 billion state construction budget and budget correction bill...

...“This bill will be helpful to urban centers that have these vacant properties that have been orphaned,” said Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. “It's not a panacea. But it's one of those things that sure would be nice if we had the ability to do this.”...

"Privacy key concern in city's quest for cameras" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Privacy key concern in city's quest for cameras
Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch
May 29, 2008

As City Council members debate a plan to put crime-watching cameras in Columbus neighborhoods, people's privacy is shaping up as issue No. 1.

"If I go out to get my newspaper in the morning in my pajamas, do I really want that as a public record?" Councilman Kevin L. Boyce asked Department of Public Safety officials last night at the first public session on the topic...

"A state of need" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: A state of need
Cartherine Candisky
The Columbus Dispatch
May 29, 2008

Amid the glut of negative economic statistics these days, this is perhaps the most stunning: More than 13 percent of Ohioans are now living in poverty, unable to afford adequate food, housing, clothes and other necessities.

That's the largest portion of the state's population considered poor under federal guidelines since 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a "War on Poverty," thrusting the issue into the national spotlight.

Yesterday, Gov. Ted Strickland decided it was time to do something about it; he announced the creation of a state task force to combat poverty, hoping to renew attention to the plight of Ohio's poor...

"Municipal reform amendment shot down in Senate" Business First of Columbus

Link: Municipal reform amendment shot down in Senate
Matt Burns
Business First of Columbus
May 28, 2008

...The move marks another roadblock for the proposed commission, which would be asked to identify how local governments can operate more effectively and efficiently. The proposal calls for the Senate president, House speaker and governor to each make three appointments to the nine-member commission. It would be required to submit its findings to the legislature and governor by July 1, 2010...

"School levy committee discusses possible cuts" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: School levy committee discusses possible cuts
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
May 28, 2008

...It is likely that the district will place a levy on the November ballot, but the school board has not taken up the matter yet. The board ultimately will decide whether to pursue a levy and how big it should be, based on the recommendation from the committee.

The deadline to place the levy on the November ballot is in August.

District officials have said that maintaining the district’s current operations will cost about 8.3 mills, or $254 annually for a $100,000 home...

"In Housing, the Strong Turn Weak" NYTimes.com

Link: In Housing, the Strong Turn Weak
Vikas Bajaj
NYTimes.com
May 28, 2008

America’s home-buying season, when for-sale signs sprout like dandelions, is shaping up to be even worse than expected this year, with prices falling, sales slowing and few signs of a turnaround emerging.

Two reports released on Tuesday captured the bleak picture. One showed that home prices nationally fell 14.1 percent in March from a year earlier. The other showed sales of new homes, although up slightly in April, remained mired near their lowest levels since 1991.

While Wall Street is growing hopeful that the economy may dodge a recession, many economists warn that the pain in the housing market may last for several years...

"UA builder's projects draw fire" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: UA builder's projects draw fire
Martin Rozenman
The Columbus Dispatch
May 28, 2008

...Neighbors have blasted his five-story, 56-unit Arlington Crossing condominiums, across from Kingsdale Shopping Center, as too close to the street and too big for the neighborhood. The project replaced duplexes and apartments on Tremont Road.

But the condos are popular compared with his proposed office building down the road on Tremont.

That project angered residents in the two surrounding subdivisions so much that they're trying to place a referendum on the ballot to stop it...

"Owning home a pretty good deal in Columbus" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Owning home a pretty good deal in Columbus
Dan Gearino
The Columbus Dispatch
May 29, 2008

Columbus is one of the most affordable housing markets in the country, based on a survey that compares home prices with rental costs.

But that positive arises from what many also see as a negative: the tepid demand for houses and the resulting drop in prices.

"In general, Columbus has been, in terms of the broader economy, doing quite well compared to other metros in Ohio, but its housing market is quite weak," said economist Bodhi Ganguli of Moody's Economy.com...

That Wave of Retirees? Not So Big

Link: That Wave of Retirees? Not So Big
Adam Aston
BusinessWeek
May 15, 2008

...But demography is not destiny—and it may not even make for a good business plan. It looks like fewer of those 78 million will be either rich enough or young enough at retirement to meet the expectations of businesses catering to boomers released from the workforce. This shortfall, and how it may dash such hopes, is the focus of a new study co-authored by Kevin P. Coyne of Atlanta's Coyne Partnership. In coming decades, "the size and growth rate of the U.S. retirement market will be much smaller than is widely believed," he says.

Other experts are reaching the same conclusion, at least for the short term. "It's no secret that some are delaying retirement," says Bruce Schobel a vice-president and actuary at New York Life Insurance and a former adviser at the Social Security Administration. After all, boomers face falling stock and housing values plus skyrocketing health-care and energy costs. These are all reasons to stay on the payroll. Meanwhile, stock losses have led 14% of retirees to consider returning to work, according to the AARP. (Of course, any slowdown in the rate of retirement will also postpone the predicted insolvency of the Social Security Trust Fund.)...

"COTA drops environmentally friendly - but expensive - biodiesel" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: COTA drops environmentally friendly - but expensive - biodiesel
Tim Doulin
The Columbus Dispatch
May 28, 2008

The high cost of soy biodiesel is prompting COTA to discontinue, at least for now, using the environmentally friendly fuel to run its buses.

Instead, the fleet will operate strictly on ultralow-sulfur diesel.

“It's an economic, as well as environmental, decision,” said William Lhota, Central Ohio Transit Authority president and chief executive officer.

COTA buses run on a fuel mixture of 90 percent ultralow-sulfur diesel and 10 percent soy biodiesel.

The bus agency has been purchasing soy biodiesel at a fixed price of $2.40 a gallon the past 12 months and ultralow-sulfur diesel at the locked-in price of $2.77 a gallon the past five months. The fuel contracts expire at the end of the month.

Last week, the cost of soy biodiesel was $4.44 a gallon while ultralow-sulfur diesel was at $3.81 a gallon, COTA officials said. That was up 43 cents and 36 cents, respectively, from the previous week...

Photo of the Day: Huntington Park Construction

Construction moves along on the new Clipper’s Stadium, Huntington Park, at Neil Ave. & Nationwide Blvd., May 24, 2008

"New neighborhood on deck west of arena, Huntington Park" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: New neighborhood on deck west of arena, Huntington Park
Mike Pramik
The Columbus Dispatch
May 26, 2008

The site of a former factory near Huntington Park could be developed into a residential neighborhood, providing a crowning touch to the western reaches of the Arena District.

Plaza Properties is working to transform a 23-acre tract along Nationwide Boulevard just west of the future baseball stadium into condominiums and apartments, among other developments.

Columbus-based Plaza has asked Columbus City Council to approve its application for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to help pay for the cleanup of the first phase of the project, at the site of the former Jaeger Machine Co...

"Arts Council awards $2.5M, postpones symphony funding" Business First of Columbus

Link: Arts Council awards $2.5M, postpones symphony funding
Business First of Columbus
May 27, 2008

The Greater Columbus Arts Council on Tuesday approved operating and project grants for 32 area groups totaling $2.49 million, but the jury is still out on an award of up to $245,000 for the suspended Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

The council, which distributes state funds to arts groups, said it awarded funding to 18 of the 19 organizations that applied for operating support, which made up $2.35 million of the total awards. But it deferred a decision on the symphony's application until later this year.

The council has supported the symphony through operating or project grants since the early 1970s, most recently distributing $261,418 in 2007 and about $250,000 the year before. But budget troubles and contentious contract talks between the symphony's board and its musicians have led to the cancellation of its Picnic With the Pops and Popcorn Pops outdoors series this summer - and put into question the possibility of opening its 2008-09 season this fall...

"Columbus Symphony board and players hold more talks but gain little ground" WOSU NewsRoom

Link: Columbus Symphony board and players hold more talks but gain little ground
Mandie Trimble
WOSU NewsRoom
May 27, 2008

Columbus Symphony Orchestra musicians and board members are considering their next steps in negotiations to keep the CSO operating. The two sides met Monday for another round of bargaining. The meeting came almost a week after musicians held a news conference to present a plan that would add "In-Kind" donations to the budget's bottom line...

...Both sides say they talked for several hours about the musicians' proposal to add $1.6 million of "In-Kind" money to the symphony's overall budget. Musicians' union president Fisher said in the end the board rejected the idea.

"Their arguments are unclear. We spent a lot of time trying to achieve a meeting of the minds on what the 'In-Kind' numbers meant and whether or not it was appropriate in counting them in creating a budget," Fisher said...

...There are no more talks scheduled at this time. The musicians said they're just waiting to hear from the board...

"As gas goes up, driving goes down" CNN.com

Link: As gas goes up, driving goes down
CNN.com
May 27, 2008

...The Department of Transportation said figures from March show the steepest decrease in driving ever recorded.

Compared with March a year earlier, Americans drove an estimated 4.3 percent less -- that's 11 billion fewer miles, the DOT's Federal Highway Administration said Monday, calling it "the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history." Records have been kept since 1942...

"Columbus ranking for home affordability improves" Business First of Columbus

Link: Columbus ranking for home affordability improves
Business First of Columbus
May 27, 2008

Boosted by an increase in household income and a decline in home prices, the Columbus area in the first quarter improved its standing as one of the 50 most-affordable housing markets in the nation, according to a quarterly index.

Columbus ranked 38th nationwide and 26th in the Midwest for affordability, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index. The report said 81.5 percent of new and existing homes sold in the market during the quarter were affordable to families earning the area's median household income of $65,300. The median sales price was $125,000.

Columbus was ranked 40th nationwide for housing affordability in the fourth quarter of 2007 and 47th nationwide a year ago. Between the end of 2007 and the first quarter of this year, the median sale price in the city dropped 5 percent from $132,000 while median household income, which has remained slightly above $64,000 for about two years, hit $65,300...

What's up with Downtown?

People talk about master plans, grand visions and unified goals when it comes to planning for downtown. In the past I've been one of the advocates of the planned approach of revitalizing downtown, always feeling we lacked a cohesive vision. As of late though, there has been a subtle shift in my thinking as I have watched certain events in the city unfold over the past 4 years.

It's not about the plan, it's about the story.

Spending a few years poking around and keeping tabs on all of the city's various economic development, transportation and housing initiatives finally revealed to me that the city does indeed have a plan and always has. You just have to look at a picture that usually spans no less than 5-10 years to see an particular initiative move from the proposal stage to its eventual implementation. That was a realization I came to a year or so ago. I too move slow, somewhat like a city in certain ways...

Piece by piece, step by step, the city's plans are slowly being realized in many of initiatives that been laid out over the years. Quite often however, since the variables are always shifting, by the time an initiative may be delivered, its form or effectiveness may be almost unrecognizable with regard to its original objectives.

City panning and city building are often slow and laborious processes. Politics, economics, national trends; they all have their influence on those plans, shaping and modifying them as they grow to adapt to their ever-changing social, political and financial environments. That is the nature of cities. Large, complex, organic and ever-evolving or devolving depending on what day it is and who's driving the ship.

As we look across the country, there are a number of other cities working on the same initiatives that we are working on here in Columbus. Streetcars, bike paths, attracting and retaining a younger workforce; all issues that are not original nor unique to Columbus in our approach to addressing them. In terms of city building, these elements are quickly becoming status quo given the fact that more and more cities are moving to implement these same types of infrastructure systems and initiatives that they hope will make them attractive to the various demographics, both young and old, that are slated to be the ones with the talent, skills and or money to drive local economies in the years to come.

What is unique to Columbus is our potential position with regards to aviation (NetJets), logistics and freight shipping (Rickenbacker), a huge college student base to tap into (OSU and our other campuses), and our growing tech corridor (TechColumbus and affiliates). These are elements that are not the status quo and present some of the ripest opportunities which we are attempting to capitalize on. That's good stuff. It makes for a good story that you won't hear in Everytown, USA.

But here's my question: What's up with downtown?

The downtown housing craze is in remission. Our arts organizations and some of our historic venues are facing uncertain financial dilemmas. Streetcars are off the media radar for the moment while additional community education efforts and funding mechanisms are being evolved. City Center's future is still being contemplated. RiverSouth is slowly but surely coming out of the ground. The Scioto Mile park system is being carved into the riverfront as you read this. The Main Street bridge is coming along nicely. The Arena District and another potential residential development at the Jaeger Commerce Park are back on the radar as of the past week or so. And the Whittier Peninsula and the Adubon Nature Center are being formed out of the earth as the weeks roll by. Lots of actors in the story of what is "downtown."

Those are lots of interesting and engaging projects and subplots to sink your teeth into, but unless you see them all in one paragraph, it's easy to forget about what the media doesn't pick up as the flavor of the week.

What is missing for Columbus is the ongoing, continuing saga itself, the ongoing "tv drama" that folks want to tune into every week to know what happens next. A show where they know the actors and their roles. It's the drama I'm addicted to (can you tell I don't have cable?) and the one I tune into every day in order to try and pass along the fragments I gather from around the city to my readers through RetroMetro.

Downtown's success isn't so much about the planning and the process we go through to get there. It's about the people, places and stories that are interwoven into the journey of building the city that can be used to get others hooked and tuned in. The greatest thing about Columbus is that all the positions aren't cast and there's plenty of room on the stage.

Somewhere along the line though, I stopped telling the story like I used to, but I never stopped watching it. There's a lot to catch up on. So what's up with downtown? Let's see if I can get you back in the loop again...

"Slowing economy concerns Ohio's grant-dependent nonprofit" WSYX ABC 6

Link: Slowing economy concerns Ohio's grant-dependent nonprofit
WSYX ABC 6
May 25, 2008

Ohio's food pantries, community theaters and other nonprofit groups are preparing for an expected decline in corporate donations as the economy slows and big businesses look to limit gifts.

Aside from The Columbus Foundation, which has assets of close to a billion dollars, central Ohio has few large private foundations. Instead, the nonprofits rely on corporate generosity...

"Symphony's pain hurts others" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Symphony's pain hurts others
Jaffrey Sheban
The Columbus Dispatch
May 25, 2008

Musicians and other employees of the Columbus Symphony won't be the only ones suffering financially if the next orchestral season is canceled.

The operator of the Ohio Theatre could be out $800,000 if the symphony bypasses its 2008-09 season, which normally runs for 26 weeks starting in October.

“A dark Ohio will be a real challenge for us and all of Downtown,” said Bill Conner, president and chief executive of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts...

Community Rallies to Aid Hit-and-Run Victims

Plans benefit weekend

Columbus, OH—Short North businesses, restaurants, and friends have demonstrated a tremendous outpouring of support in the week following the tragic events outside Haiku restaurant. Now, family and friends of the victims are teaming up with Short North retailers to plan a collaborative fundraising effort to help support the victims and their families during this difficult time.

Update on the condition of the victims
Julie Liu, co-owner of Haiku, suffered fractures to her sternum, multiple fractures to her ribs, a broken collarbone, and a dislocated wrist. She is also suffering from a serious concussion and a bruised brain. Doctors at The Ohio State University Medical Center are keeping Julie at the hospital to monitor her brain condition and her rehabilitation.

Bartender, artist, and OSU student Rachel Widomski has suffered severe spinal cord injuries. While she has displayed remarkable strength throughout the ordeal, Rachel will be permanently paralyzed as a result of her injuries. Her rehabilitation will be extensive due to the severity of the spinal cord injuries.

The Rachel Widomski Medical Care Trust has been set up at Huntington Bank. Anyone may make donations in person or mail checks to any Huntington Bank branch. Online donations are being accepted at www.haikuhelp.com. Paul Liu, co-owner of Haiku and husband of Julie Liu, states that "even though Julie's condition is not certain at this time, I would like to place our focus on Rachel" in reference to fundraising and benefit efforts.

Statement from Paul Liu, co-owner of Haiku and husband of Julie Liu

"Thank you to Mr. Todd Sandler for your heroic act of putting yourself in harm's way and also thank you for assisting the police in facilitating the apprehension of the perpetrator. My deepest gratitude goes to the support and help of Mayor Coleman's office, the City of Columbus, the Columbus police department, paramedics, and the armies of nurses and doctors at The Ohio State University Medical Center for your caring and dedication to the excellence of your profession.

Right now, I am overwhelmed by the people of Columbus with all the love, well wishes, prayers, and generosity that have been expressed to me, my family, and my extended family here at Haiku. I sincerely thank you. I would also like to thank the  media for their sensitivity to my and Rachel's family and the delicate nature in which you have reported on this inconceivable incident. Thank you for embracing us at a time of need and showing how much love is in this city.

Immediate Needs

Rachel is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. She has been in Columbus 6 years. She had recently begun pursuit of a bachelors in fine arts at The Ohio State University. Her parents and family have come to be by her side to help her through this inconceivably difficult time. The community is rallying to help the family manage the challenge of costs related to lodging, food and travel. Hotel rooms, dining certificates and cash donations are vital. Rachel's prognosis indicates she will be hospitalized for months. She will need the support of her family close at hand to face the challenges that await her. If you would like to contribute, please visit www.haikuhelp.com or email info@haikuhelp.com.

Long-Term Needs

Rachel's life has been shattered. Her medical expenses and rehabilitation expenses will be insurmountable for her and her family. We have an opportunity as a community to step forward and offer tokens of assistance that will help bridge the  chasm to recovery. The following are among the first of many such opportunities:

Benefit weekend (Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8)

In response to this catastrophic event, friends and family of Rachel and Julie are planning a three-day series of benefit events that will raise money to help assist the victims and their families throughout their recovery. The benefit weekend consists of four parts and will require the support of the entire community to be successful.

1. Tip Drive: Through her work at Haiku, Rachel was a "family member" of both the Short North Arts District and the restaurant  community. An overwhelming number of Short North restaurants and businesses will be participating in a three-day effort to raise awareness and gather donations. Many restaurants are reporting that their service staff has agreed to donate their collected tips to the fund. The Central Ohio Restaurant Association is also working to expand the Tip Drive effort across the city. Restaurateurs interested in participating should contact Elizabeth Lessner via email at Elizabeth@tiptopcolumbus.com.
2. Artwork Silent Auction: Rachel studied art at The Ohio State University and is herself a budding Ohio artist. Rachel's, Julie's, and Haiku's impact on the arts community will be demonstrated through a silent auction of local artist's works. This will be held at The Art Exchange (17 E. Brickel Street in the Short North). All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the recovery fund. Full details will be posted at haikuhelp.com and shortnorth.org beginning May 29.
3. A Place of Relection: The storefront at 650 N. High Street will be transformed into an elegant showcase of the two women's lives. This is a place where visitors can reflect, write letters to Julie and Rachel, read updates about their recovery progress, and learn how to make contributions to the fund. Rachel's artwork will also be on display. The storefront will be active beginning the week of June 2.
4. Benefit Concert: A concert to round out the Gallery Hop evening, Saturday, June 7, will feature several well-known local acts. The evening concert will be held in the vicinity of Haiku Restaurant (800 N. High Street). Band line-up and schedule will be posted at haikuhelp.com and shortnorth.org beginning May 29.

Volunteers—We need your help
As this is an all-volunteer effort, we need all the help we can get. The Short North Business Association, Central Ohio Restaurant Association, and Couchfire Collective are working together to organize these events and gather volunteer support. If you or your business would like to get involved, please contact us at info@haikuhelp.com.

Contributions—Ongoing Initiatives and Opportunities to Send Support
In addition to visiting Huntington Bank to contribute to Rachel's trust fund, concerned citizens can also make contributions online at www.haikuhelp.com. This website will also be an ongoing source of information about the recovery of both Julie and Rachel, and a calendar of planned events to continue the support efforts well into the future.

Contact: John Angelo, Executive Director, Short North Business Association
614.299.8050 • 513.289.8300 (cell) • johnangelo@shortnorth.org

"Housing slump pinches schools" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Housing slump pinches schools
Charlie Boss
The Columbus Dispatch
May 26, 2008

...Schools are another victim of the housing downturn and sluggish economy. Most local revenue for school districts comes through real-estate taxes, which typically grow with home construction, Franklin County Auditor Joe Testa said. But that growth has flattened, based on a comparison of tax collections for February of this year with those of a year earlier.

Testa said some of the revenue shortfall was expected: A stale home-building market was not going to bring in as much new money as had been projected.

But some of the decline wasn't as easy to forecast. Several school- district treasurers said tax delinquencies and refunds to homeowners who challenge the tax valuation of their properties are on the rise...

"Try harder" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Try harder
Editorial
The Columbus Dispatch
May 25, 2008

...A proposed 8.3-mill levy floated last week would increase taxes on a $100,000 house by $254 a year. That's high, yet still wouldn't be enough to pay for the program changes suggested by Superintendent Gene Harris. Other proposals ranged as high as 12 mills.

School officials must look for ways to cut the proposed budget before asking voters to open their wallets so wide. Some of the initiatives in Harris' plan are worthy proposals that could increase academic achievement, such as adding math- and science-focused schools and providing preschool for everyone.

The district also is required to spend some money to implement the state-mandated Ohio Core, a more-rigorous high-school curriculum that will necessitate more math and science teachers...

"House OKs construction budget" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: House OKs construction budget
Jim Siegel
The Columbus Dispatch
May 23, 2008

A tax deal to help boost the state's aviation industry, and specifically encourage NetJets Aviation to expand its Columbus operations, was added yesterday to the new $1.3 billion state construction budget before it passed the Ohio House.

The House approved a sales-tax exemption for flight simulator parts and aircraft maintenance materials. The move comes about two months after NetJets and its sister company, FlightSafety International, announced plans to expand operations at Port Columbus.

NetJets expects to create a major aviation hub, adding 800 jobs to the 2,000 currently employed there. FlightSafety plans to go from seven flight simulators to more than 20, adding 100 jobs and making central Ohio the world's largest flight- training operation...

"COTA Buses Get Crowded As Gas Prices Go Up" nbc4i.com

Link: COTA Buses Get Crowded As Gas Prices Go Up
Ashley Brown
nbc4i.com
May 20, 2008

...“It’s mostly during the rush hours,” Dan Liggett of COTA said. “Across our routes, ridership is up.”

Liggett said Noble’s observation was right on the money. “Gas prices definitely have a connection to increased ridership,” he said.

Compared to this time last year, COTA said ridership is up by nearly 18 percent. The average number of passengers every day is almost 56,000...

"Cleveland part of effort to revive urban areas" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Cleveland part of effort to revive urban areas
Jonathan Riskind
The Columbus Dispatch
May 23, 2008

...Living Cities, funded by more than a dozen major foundations and banks, describes the effort as a groundbreaking effort to remake urban policy. The organization has spent more than $11 million throughout Ohio over the past decade and a half on housing improvement and other initiatives, saying it helped generate additional spending of $63 million.

About $500,000 is being spent initially to draw up a blueprint for aiding Cleveland, which has seen more than its share of economic woes in recent years, including many subprime loan-related foreclosures.

The idea is to figure out how Cleveland could more effectively obtain and spend existing state and federal dollars in areas such as housing and infrastructure -- and how new public and private dollars could be spent to have the greatest impact....

Columbus Metropolitan Club Forum: Developments on the Urban Frontier

This Wednesday at noon I'll be moderating another Columbus Metropolitan Club forum on "Developments on the Urban Frontier: After the initial downtown boon, have we done what it takes to entice our urban pioneers?"

The panelists that have been selected for this discussion will offer a pretty broad stroke perspective on the state of downtown:

Ken Danter, President, The Danter Company

Ken's company has produced numerous studies of the downtown market, including reports on downtown housing and the impact of the proposed Columbus Streetcar system. Ken knows downtown by the numbers and can shed some light on what they mean. I don't know Ken personally (yet) but whenever the City needs to check out the feasibility of some of its downtown projects, I've come to know his work.

Marilyn Vutech, Real Living, Vutech & Ruff

Marilyn has been part of the downtown housing ebb and flow since well before the boon that kicked up in about 2004. With her continued involvement in representing such real estate developments as 8 on the Square, The Dakota and Ibiza in the Short North and an extensive representation of home sellers in German Village, her insight into the downtown market couldn't get any clearer. Marilyn knows downtown housing.

Liz Lesener, Proprietor, Betty's Fine Food & Spirits, Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails and Surly Girl Saloon

What can I say about this woman? She is one of my idols when it comes to entrepreneurialism here in Columbus. If you want to talk about the reality of running a restaurant business in and around the downtown area, she the woman. She is the truest of urban pioneers and has not only started one new restaurant in the downtown area, Tip Top, but is nearing the opening of her second venture. If you want to know how business is doing downtown, and what opportunities exist...Liz is money.

As for me, I'm excited to be able to come back to the discussion and conversation from two years ago when I hosted the pre-City Hop downtown forum for the Columbus Metropolitan Club with Larry Reuben of Plaza Properties, Kyle Katz of the Buggyworks and John Rosenberg, formerly of the Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Organization.

The housing boon has come and gone. The streetcar project is behind the scenes for the moment, strategizing and educating. And the Columbus Symphony Orchestra is the first of the non-profit arts organizations in Columbus to stumble into the public spotlight as funding issues begin to rear their heads for subsidized Arts & Cultural organizations.

Where does downtown's future lie?

For more information on the Columbus Metropolitan Club or to register for this event, click here.

"Plaza Properties requesting state money for housing near Arena District" Business First of Columbus

Link: Plaza Properties requesting state money for housing near Arena District
Brian R. Ball
Business First of Columbus
May 23, 2008

Plans for a residential community west of the Arena District in Columbus could get a boost if Plaza Properties Inc. lands a state grant to offset the cost of cleaning the former industrial site.

The Columbus-based developer plans to seek $750,000 from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund to help clean up a 7.7-acre portion of the 22-acre site where the Union Fork and Hoe Co. and Jaeger Machine Co. had manufacturing operations.

Plaza Properties plans to build 243 housing units on about 4 acres in the first phase of development that could get under way as early as 2010. The first section, expected to cost about $36 million, will include about 15,000 square feet for retailers. The developer sees having as many as 1,000 housing units on the site...

"Streetcar FAQ Columbus" DispatchPolitic.com

Link: Streetcar FAQ Columbus
Robert Vitale
DispatchPolitics.com
May 25, 2008

There are more questions than answers right now about the plan to bring streetcars back to Columbus, even among the people pitching the idea.

After the City Council balked earlier this month at approving $2 million to design a system its members haven't yet approved, Mayor Michael B. Coleman acknowledged "Our public needs more information."

A funding proposal, he has said, is " a financial scenario, not the financial scenario" -- meaning it's all subject to change.

After two years of study by consultants and community members, here's what we do know...

"Short North's outpouring aids 2 victims of hit-and-run" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Short North's outpouring aids 2 victims of hit-and-run
Bobby Pierce
The Columbus Dispatch
May 24, 2008

..."It is spirit; it is spiritual," John Angelo, executive director of the Short North Business Association said. "Rachel will need every ounce of spiritual help she can get to pull through this."

Angelo outlined what is being called Hope Week, an effort to raise awareness and money. He said the bohemian spirit of the Short North will support the women: There already are more than 70 volunteers.

Staff at Short North restaurants and bars plan to donate their tips to the Rachel Widomski Medical Care Trust at Huntington Bank. The Central Ohio Restaurant Association is trying to expand the fundraising throughout the area, said Elizabeth Lessner, vice president of the organization's board...

"Artists rally for hit-and-run victims" Columbus Local News

Link: Artists rally for hit-and-run victims
Columbus Local News
May 19, 2008

The Couchfire Collective, a group of Grandview-based artists, is looking for donations after two of its members, Julie Liu and Rachel Widomski, were critically injured by a hit-and-run driver in the parking lot of a Short North restaurant.

The driver, northwest Columbus resident Michael A. Rose, 43, had refused to pay his tab and reportedly struck Liu and Widomski while attempting to leave the restaurant's parking lot Thursday, May 15. Rose turned himself in Sunday, May 17...

...Widomski is an artist and a volunteer with the Couchfire Collective. Liu and her husband, Paul, have provided food in the past for Couchfire events.

The Couchfire Collective is accepting donations to help both women with their hospital expenses at 889 Williams Ave. in Grandview.

"Fundraising weekend announced for Haiku hit-and-run victims" Columbus Alive

Link: Fundraising weekend announced for Haiku hit-and-run victims
Melissa Starker
Columbus Alive
May 23, 2008

...Lessner spoke of the outpouring of support from the service community, from cooks to dishwashers, and with Brouillette laid out the details of Hope Weekend, a three-day fundraising initiative happening June 6-8. A number of restaurants around the neighborhood are participating in a tip drive that weekend to benefit Liu and Widomski, and Lessner hopes to lure places from around the city to participate. Artist friends and supporters of Widomski, a BFA student at Ohio State, will present works at a silent auction at the Art Exchange. The storefront at 650 N. High St. will be filled with a commemorative installation and offer health and information updates, and a benefit concert will take place in the vicinity of Haiku. Angelo added that the SNBA will also be collecting for the cause during June Gallery Hop...

"Visitors bureau says it's strapped" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Visitors bureau says it's strapped
Marla Matzer Rose
The Columbus Dispatch
May 24, 2008

The group that tries to lure conventions and visitors to Columbus says dwindling coffers have hampered its ability to do its job in the face of growing competition.

Experience Columbus outlined plans this week to lobby political leaders to dedicate more funding to attracting convention business. The group is making a case that it has been shortchanged on hotel bed-tax revenue since 2001, and it is enlisting the support of big convention groups to convince city representatives of the need to back a new convention-center hotel.

The group expects a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of dollars this year because of lagging bed-tax receipts as well as an expected decline in city and county funding...

"Realtors: Columbus home inventory, sales down in March, April" Business First of Columbus

Link: Realtors: Columbus home inventory, sales down in March, April
Business First of Columbus
May 23, 2008

While the Columbus Board of Realtors continues to see a promising trend as a logjam in supply of houses on the market eases this year, the group Friday reported two months of declining housing sales and sales contracts through April.

Sales of single-family houses and condominiums in the region fell 15 percent to 1,680 in March, from 1,966 a year earlier, the group reported. After a promising uptick in sales contracts in February, that measure fell 4 percent for March to 1,918 from 1,990 and continued its dip into last month...