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HighPoint at Columbus Commons

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Started 1 year ago by columbusmike
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heresthecasey
Funkytown
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These are so bad it's almost unbelievable.

FWIW, Columbus Commons is also still advertising the older design on its website,
http://columbuscommons.org/about/residential/. Wish we were actually going with what they show...

Plus, I think the fact that these are going to be such bad architecture when they're done will only add weight to the critics of residential going here in the first place, and "taking away from the park." That is an argument I'm 100% against, but putting up crap is not a good way to assuage critics.

Posted 5 months ago #
heresthecasey
Funkytown
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columbusmike said:
We don't have too look far for an example of a decent brick cornice...that is very similar to the design of this project:

It's certainly not hard to find examples of good design, and good urbanism; even recently built, very close projects geographically, like the Wood Cos. building you cited.

I am at a complete loss to explain how Carter, one of the nations "foremost, preeminent, experienced, sought after developers," (as we keep being told, blah blah blah) can afford to turn out such crap.

And, how the Downtown Commission seems so unable to recognize or unwillling to demand quality design, approving this turd on its very first presentation to them, without any major revisions or even criticisms whatsoever.

In contrast, the Victorian Village, Italian Village, Brewery District, German Village, University Area, Clintonville, or pretty much any other Commissions in town are well-known to go over certain major projects, or even everything that comes before them, with a fine-tooth comb. They closely examine details, require multiple revisions to evolve the design, provide real critiques, and work with developers and the community over multiples meeting sessions to achieve quality results.

This type of environment seems completely missing when I look at meeting agendas and minutes vis-a-vis how the Downtown Commission operates.

Posted 5 months ago #
InnerCore

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I'm usually the one bashing the heck out of most of the developments but I got to say I think many here are over reacting. I can go to DC and find you buildings that are just a plain. I think the difference being that you've got multiple blocks of buildings where as here this project sort of sits out as the showpiece.

But from an urban design point of view I really can't complain at all. Ground floor retail with residential above, a walkway so you don't have to walk to the end of the block, no surface parking and it's in an area that drastically needs residential.

Sure Granview yard looks better but in terms of urban design its not that great.

It's hard to have to have a governing body oversee subjective aesthetic qualities of a project unless you have a historical district or something. I'd much rather them regulate the function of the buildings.

Posted 5 months ago #
stephentszuter
Downtown Columbus
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columbusmike said:
When the project runs into a hiccup, they'll be looking for ways to cut cost. Eliminating the cornice would be an easy change order to pick up some savings for the owner. The architecture changes all the time in construction...

Well then I hope that means we have hope...?

Posted 5 months ago #
buckette13

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The article about outlet malls on the front page mentioned Highpoint (the Common's building) as a retail project. I am wondering what type of retail people are expecting will go there?

I assume it will end up being similar to the Windsor Building (building with Orange Leaf in it) in Grandview and have things like restaurants, yogurt shops, boutiques (truly good ones are hard to find - so many mediocre ones) and maybe small medical (chiropracter, dentist etc).

Personally I would like to see a few medium sized chain retail stores selling new higher end clothing and accessories. I am wondering what others are thinking?

Part of me laments how nice it must have been to have a Lazarus and the Limited Brands downtown.

Posted 5 months ago #
columbusmike

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buckette13 said:
The article about outlet malls on the front page mentioned Highpoint (the Common's building) as a retail project. I am wondering what type of retail people are expecting will go there?

I assume it will end up being similar to the Windsor Building (building with Orange Leaf in it) in Grandview and have things like restaurants, yogurt shops, boutiques and maybe small medical (chiropracter, dentist etc).

Personally I would like to see a few medium sized chain retail stores selling new higher end clothing and accessories. I am wondering what others are thinking?

Part of me laments how nice it must have been to have a Lazarus downtown.

The market will dictate the retail mix, but I'm guessing it will be chains like Chipotle/Piada, Rusty Bucket, yoga, etc.

Posted 5 months ago #
Cbusbill
Columbus
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To columbusmike's post, the market will decide when we see something other than restaurants fill these retails spaces downtown. Optimistically, I could see downtown following a more spreadout path that Easton has found to be so successful. Easton wouldn't be such a draw if it were all retail (aka - clothing, furniture, etc). Its the near 50/50 split with restaurants that make it such a destination.

As more apartments/condos get built in the city core, more restaurants will cater to them (in addition to the ever growing downtown worker count). At some point, retailers will find the risk to open locations among these restaurants/condos low enough to take the leap. It may be a few more years, but if the current building trend continues, its only a matter of time. Talk about retro...we're looking forward to getting back to the past (its been 60 years since downtown was a self-sustaining retail market).

Posted 5 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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buckette13 said:
The article about outlet malls on the front page mentioned Highpoint (the Common's building) as a retail project. I am wondering what type of retail people are expecting will go there?

I assume it will end up being similar to the Windsor Building (building with Orange Leaf in it) in Grandview and have things like restaurants, yogurt shops, boutiques (truly good ones are hard to find - so many mediocre ones) and maybe small medical (chiropracter, dentist etc).

I think you have it right as far as what we might see there. Highpoint developer Carter said early on that they'd love to have a small grocer of some sort, but I don't know how much they'll push that, especially since most grocery convenience items can already easily be found across the street at CVS.

I think Chris Boring mentioned Highpoint in his interview, not as a large scale retail project, but as an example of right-sized local retail that fits into a larger mixed-use development.

Posted 5 months ago #
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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Walker said:
I think you have it right as far as what we might see there. Highpoint developer Carter said early on that they'd love to have a small grocer of some sort, but I don't know how much they'll push that, especially since most grocery convenience items can already easily be found across the street at CVS.

I think Chris Boring mentioned Highpoint in his interview, not as a large scale retail project, but as an example of right-sized local retail that fits into a larger mixed-use development.

Maybe a small space selling produce to counter/compliment the convenience-store CVS. There will be plenty of customers living right above it.. although I don't know if selling produce would be profitable in what will probably be an expensive space to rent.

Posted 5 months ago #
InnerCore

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Easton is no where near a 50/50 split, it probably close to 80/20. But I wouldn't expect a real retail presence anytime soon. The stores that will open up will be primarily restaurants and services to continue to support downtown workers and the new downtown residents.

Traditional retailers need a lot more foot traffic and residents. Even if we doubled the rate that the downtown population is growing we wouldn't reach a critical mass point for a long time.

In order for it to thrive the retail is going to have to be a destination which is hard to do when you have a small amount of space. This is part of the reason the Short North can't get many retailers other than small independent ones.

Now if you take a portion of that huge parking garage and convert it to an urban big box center with a Target, Best Buy, Sports Authority complex then you might have a shot. Isn't that site city owned. They should be looking to do some sort of public/private partnership to jump start downtown.

Posted 5 months ago #
cbus11

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I just want to chime in how nice having City Center downtown was back in the day. Obviously, it suffered from a poor inward design and competition from suburban malls may have killed it anyway but it was a great amenity. Living and working near downtown I miss it.

I imagine as others are saying, that we will have a typical smattering of restaurants, nail salons and beauty parlors at Highpoint. Still it is a mixed use project and the more density that comes to downtown the better.

Posted 5 months ago #
heresthecasey
Funkytown
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Since CVS is across the street, maybe Walgreens will be interested?

Posted 5 months ago #
stephentszuter
Downtown Columbus
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It would be easier living downtown if we had some walkable grocery options, like Hills Market... I don't think it would hurt to get another such type of Grocery in HighPoint

Posted 5 months ago #
susank

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I also can see the value in another small boutique downtown grocery closer to the High St area. Several small ones spread out over downtown would be nice.

Posted 5 months ago #
columbusmike

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susank said:
Several small ones spread out over downtown would be nice.

Yes, this is key. Having several small grocers around downtown is key to a vibrant downtown. I wish downtown would do more to encourage small groceries downtown - possibly helping minorities own these businesses. Having 1 CVS is nice, but a grocery that can cater to locals would be better.

Posted 5 months ago #
stephentszuter
Downtown Columbus
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columbusmike said:
Yes, this is key. Having several small grocers around downtown is key to a vibrant downtown. I wish downtown would do more to encourage small groceries downtown - possibly helping minorities own these businesses. Having 1 CVS is nice, but a grocery that can cater to locals would be better.

+1

Posted 5 months ago #
heresthecasey
Funkytown
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I really liked Liz's idea back in 2008 for a set of small urban NYC-esuqe bodegas around town,

Ohioanna All-Star Market will be a small New York City "bodega style" urban market catering to our currently underserved downtown-dwelling demographic. We chose the name "all-star" as a nod to our own local favorites; we plan to emphasize local produce, cheeses, coffee, beer and other locally grown and produced sundries to nourish our neighbors.

Ohioanna Market will feature fresh flowers, produce, bagels, breads, coffee and deli items. Columbus "All-Stars" will be featured including Stauf's Coffee, Amish cheeses, dairy items from Happy Chicken Farms, and carry-out items from Betty's, Surly Girl Saloon, and Tip Top Kitchen. We are taking suggestions for items now. Baked goods, cupcakes, bread, beer, wine and the usual sundries will be available as well.

The service will be fast, friendly, and we will be open late. We look to make our community brighter by providing fresh produce and healthy carry-out options in a safe, bright and friendly store. If successful, we look to build more stores in the coming years. Next stops include King-Linoln, Downtown, Gay Street, and Franklinton.

I know a lot of other very worthwhile projects have been keeping her attention, so the market never got off the ground, but I do think it was a good plan, and would ultimately have been very successful.

http://donewaiting.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=22455

In the meantime though, I can't wait for the Hills Market to open!

Posted 5 months ago #
bucki12
wp
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+100
Having several small markets spread out downtown is a great idea.

Posted 5 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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From a customer standpoint, I agree that having smaller boutique grocery options is better.

From a business standpoint, I've come to understand that it's a bigger challenge to go small with groceries and make a profit, especially with trying to maintain a wide variety of perishable options (meats, seafood, bakery, produce, flowers, prepared food, etc).

Hills will be good for Gay Street and the Discovery District, but don't forget that The North Market is already serving Arena District residents in a similar fashion, and Riversouth is an easy 10-15 minute to the Brewery District Kroger. Perhaps a central grocer near Broad & High could hit the rest of Downtown residents, but coverage is already growing into something pretty decent.

Posted 5 months ago #
buckette13

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With all of the new residents plus all of the office workers not wanting to move their cars at lunch I can see a boutique grocery doing well near or at the Commons. Something like the Hills with a section of prepared foods would be ideal. At lunch I do not have a half hour to walk to Grant St and back.

Posted 5 months ago #