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(Photo from SciotoMile.com)
There’s still a long way to go until the June 2011 completion date of the Scioto Mile project, but a lot of the progress is already starting to shape up.
The most noticeable update is the reopening of a portion of Civic Center Drive, which has been reconfigured into a much narrower and two-way version of its former self. The additional space made by removing lanes will better accommodate pedestrian and bike path traffic as well as additional riverfront landscaping.
Additional updates and information can be found on the project’s officlal update pages by clicking here and here.
I run by here regularly to check out the progress. Its really coming along and if you have a chance go look at Bicentennial Park; its going to look amazing when finished.
I have high hopes for the West Bank of the river and Eastern Franklinton in general. This bridge can be a catalyst new modern style development in the area. Now only if we could get the Wexner center to help develop a museum of Modern Art there with a public art space….
I took some photos on my way to the Latino Festival. The finished area will be impressive. Not just one, but five fountains.
One other thing, there will be underground utilitiy hookups, so when they have festivals there, you won’t be stumbling over power cables and water hoses.
Great photos! Thanks for posting them! :D
UrbanApplachian is right about E. Fton. sit tight sherm, there’s money coming across the river!!
Couple more photos from me today. ;)
Worry in some of the Arts groups is that the street is too narrow for festival setups. Guy Worly hedged on this when someone asked about it at a Columbus Metropolitan Club Forum. Even if you stretched the vendors out on only one side of the street, it still would be tight. Any thoughts?
I’m a fan of keeping the Arts Fest in the Discovery District, which may be the largest of the festivals outside of Red White & Boom, which I think would be more than fine to keep it spread out from North Bank all the way through River South. Otherwise, I don’t really see that being too much of a problem. Having every single festival in the same spots along the Riverfront is boring anyway. Each one could use a little change of scenery. ;)
I wish theyd line the promenade with lots cherry trees on both sides. the pink flowers would be a real draw to the area once the trees mature.
Speaking of which does anyone know what kind of trees they are going to be planting? I hope they arent the same kind that are along high street downtown, they seem very sparse and scraggly, without much of actual foliage and little shade. Definately not my favorite street trees by any stretch
The art’s festival in downtown is one of my favorite aspects of Columbus. The riverfront, the classic buildings, the parks, plus art! It’s more than I could ever want for a festival and with a skyline view to boot.
I think it just makes the event feel cosmopolitan. I have been underwhelmed by the arts fest around the discovery district. My own issue is the stage located in the parking lots.
The stage area feels like I’m at an arts fest in a suburban strip mall. Not my cup of tea. It really feels midwestern in the bad sense in that location. Now if the festival used a park space like Town St./deaf school park I would be ok with that.
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but after spending millions in private and public funds on this new park space stretching the entire riverfront, I would hope that we use it for our largest festival.
I think they could use the sidewalk space for the tents/art spaces, and have the street for just pedestrians. I wouldnt’ see why the art tents have to the be in the street. The sidewalks are the size of a highway lane now.
Some new construction update photos from SciotoMile.com:
Couple new photo updates from along the riverfront. Looks like the new columns along the edge of the walkway are being installed, the retaining wall along the east side of the river where the Town Street Bridge was located is being erected, and the new restaurant space is really being built up quick:
Just saw the update about the 80% glass walled restaurant. Is there a concept announced or are they building in hopes of finding a tenant later?
Could be really cool, if it’s done right.
I heard awhile ago that they were in talks with potential tenants, but not sure if any has been lined up yet or not.
Elise Yablonsky, Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. I just wanted to clarify that we do not yet have a restaurateur for Bicentennial Park, but we are planning to issue a request for qualifications within the next month. Once selected, this restaurant will officially have to enter into a contract with the city. It is our sincere hope to have a restaurant in place by the time the Scioto Mile opens in June 2011. Stay tuned at our recently-updated website http://www.sciotomile.com, and check out videos, weekly blogs, and new renderings.
New Construction photos from http://www.sciotomile.com:
Construction photo of the new restaurant space at the revamped Bicentennial Park. Can’t wait for it to open!
Some new updates and photos from here : http://msidesign.com/blog/index.php/first-of-five-halos-installed-at-bicentennial-fountain