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YouTubeI was hanging out with my uncle a few weeks ago and he told me that all skyscrapers built in Columbus have to be shorter than the Rhodes tower. He also said that the 1 Nationwide plaza had to be capped at it's height because the city told them they couldn't build it taller than the Rhodes, even though they intended to build it higher. I do know that the original plans for the Rhodes planned to have it built to 780 feet, but they capped it at 630 feet. Does anyone know if this is true, and if it is, why they want to keep all of the buildings under 630 feet?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion
Are Columbus skyscrapers capped at a certain height?
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RetroMetro
Columbus, Ohio
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Mike Reese, the Mayor's Chief of Staff, presented at the Downtown Residents' Association of Columbus last week and for some reason that very question came up.
The answer to the question that was given by a member of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation was that the Downtown Commission, the committee appointed by the city of oversee downtown development from an architectural review / appropriateness perspective, would determine height appropriateness if and when such a building was proposed.
Posted 4 years ago # -
CbusIslander
Cbus Islander
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According to city code the answer is "No height limit" in the central sub-district such as around the statehouse.
(C) Height. The maximum height of a building within the Core sub-district is unlimited. (also civic district) The minimum height of a building within the Core sub-district shall be three (3) stories or forty (40) feet, or a maximum or minimum height established by the downtown commission that is appropriate to the site and surrounding area as determined through the design review process, pursuant to Section 3359.27(D), Design Review
Posted 4 years ago # -
CbusIslander
Cbus Islander
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To answer all of your city code questions here is a link
Posted 4 years ago # -
RetroMetro
Columbus, Ohio
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(thanks for the link)
Title 33: Chapter 3359 DOWNTOWN DISTRICT wrote
3359.09 Height.
A building or structure, or any part thereof, shall not exceed eight [8] stories or a height of one hundred (100) feet, unless otherwise specified elsewhere in this chapter, or a height established by the downtown commission that is appropriate to the site and surrounding area as determined through the design review process, pursuant to Section 3359.27(D), Design Review. (Ord. 899-97 § 2 (part).)
There are 7 sub-districts outlined in the code, each with a section on HEIGHT:
Title 33: Chapter 3359 DOWNTOWN DISTRICT wrote
3359.17 Core sub-district.*
...(C) Height. The maximum height of a building within the Core sub-district is unlimited. The minimum height of a building within the Core sub-district shall be three (3) stories or forty (40) feet, or a maximum or minimum height established by the downtown commission that is appropriate to the site and surrounding area as determined through the design review process, pursuant to Section 3359.27(D), Design Review...
As I suggested, the Downtown Commission pretty much has say on the height restriction.
And here is a interesting editor's note at the beginning of the chapter:
Downtown should be everyone’s neighborhood. It should be the urban and cultural center of the region and a place where people and companies want to be for business, entertainment, retail, and residential activity. Inviting streetscapes and excellence in building design should combine to produce a quality environment. Strategically placed civic features such as parks, medians, street trees, and public art should be provided to increase property value and stimulate both new development and redevelopment. Like other major cities, Columbus’ downtown has unique special districts, all rich in character. These districts should maintain a diverse mix of land use and activities, and a special flavor which should be carefully nurtured through acting with a clear vision for continued development. Housing should be considered a desirable activity in any downtown district. Finally, Downtown should possess a connectiveness which effortlessly draws people from one end to the other.
Do I know how to party or what!
Posted 4 years ago # -
weebz
Hilliard
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Thanks for the links and info guys!! It must just be a rumor. BTW, does anyone know the reason they capped Rhodes tower at it's current height, instead of building it to it's proposed height of 150 feet higher. Heck, that might be a rumor too for all I know, but I can never look at the Rhodes tower now without imagining what it would look like 15 stories higher.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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Maybe they realized how ugly it was and just decided to put a roof on it rather than make it stick out even more?
Posted 4 years ago # -
The Hegemo
Delusions of Grandview
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They didn't want to have to monitor 15 more stories of stairwells for state employees having sex?
:twisted:
Posted 4 years ago # -
Jonzun
Columbus, D.C., Atlanta, Raleigh, Atlanta
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Has anyone ever heard of this building:
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitoltowerplace-columbus-oh-usa
It was proposed, but scrapped. Anyone know why?
Posted 4 years ago # -
weebz
Hilliard
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Walker wrote Yeah, it's not the prettiest building downtown.
:?
I'd rather see the Leveque Tower 15 stories taller than Rhodes.
Yeah, Rhodes certainly isn't the prettiest building downtown. The Leveque was considered massive when it was built. It was the 5th tallest building in the world according to wiki. It will always be the most beautiful part of the Columbus skyline.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Jonzun
Columbus, D.C., Atlanta, Raleigh, Atlanta
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Jonzun wrote Has anyone ever heard of this building:
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitoltowerplace-columbus-oh-usa
It was proposed, but scrapped. Anyone know why?
It's a sweet building. I wish they'd reconsider.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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Jonzun wrote
Jonzun wrote Has anyone ever heard of this building:
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitoltowerplace-columbus-oh-usa
It was proposed, but scrapped. Anyone know why?
It's a sweet building. I wish they'd reconsider.
It is. I couldn't quite place it though...was it supposed to go in the surface lot adjecent to the Dispatch?
Posted 4 years ago # -
spacernglr
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Ya'll ever heard of this tower they are building in Nashville?
http://www.signaturetowernashville.com/
It is going to top out at 1,047 feet, ~70 stories, and be the tallest building in the US outside Chicago or NYC.
I grew up in Nashville and now live in Italian Village, if they can do it so can we. Nashville is just over 1 million in the metro area, the state capital, home to several medium sized colleges (instead of one huge one), and home to a mostly non-manufacturing economy. Does this sound familiar?
I think Nashville is about 5 years ahead of Columbus in terms of urban renewal and is growing faster as a city, but my point is huge projects like this are not out of the question for cities like Columbus. Its just about getting enough people excited about downtown to get someone with deep pockets to take the risk.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Have they started on this yet? I drove through Nashville a few weeks ago and noticed something downtown being started that looked like it had a pretty large footprint, but I had no idea what it was going to be.
And while it's iconic, I think I'd rather see seven new 10-story buildings downtown in Columbus taking up more of that flat-lot parking space than a 70-story building.
8)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Jonzun
Columbus, D.C., Atlanta, Raleigh, Atlanta
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spacernglr wrote Ya'll ever heard of this tower they are building in Nashville?
http://www.signaturetowernashville.com/
It is going to top out at 1,047 feet, ~70 stories, and be the tallest building in the US outside Chicago or NYC.
I grew up in Nashville and now live in Italian Village, if they can do it so can we. Nashville is just over 1 million in the metro area, the state capital, home to several medium sized colleges (instead of one huge one), and home to a mostly non-manufacturing economy. Does this sound familiar?
I think Nashville is about 5 years ahead of Columbus in terms of urban renewal and is growing faster as a city, but my point is huge projects like this are not out of the question for cities like Columbus. Its just about getting enough people excited about downtown to get someone with deep pockets to take the risk.
We did a story on this here in Atlanta. I LOVE that building. Nashville should be proud.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Jonzun
Columbus, D.C., Atlanta, Raleigh, Atlanta
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Brewmaster wrote
Jonzun wrote
Jonzun wrote Has anyone ever heard of this building:
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=capitoltowerplace-columbus-oh-usa
It was proposed, but scrapped. Anyone know why?
It's a sweet building. I wish they'd reconsider.
It is. I couldn't quite place it though...was it supposed to go in the surface lot adjecent to the Dispatch?
It just says south 3rd street. It looks like it's across from the Statehouse, though.
Posted 4 years ago #
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