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YouTubeDoes anyone else feel conflicted a lot with the growth of the urban inner core of Columbus? I want nothing more than for us to have a vibrant urban inner core in Columbus, and I am happy anytime I hear of a new business, or restaurant, or development going up downtown, the short north, etc. At the same time I know most of these restaurants, or businesses I will never frequent, or if I do frequent them it will be twice a year maybe. I am a car person, and until we get some great transportation system or until I move I will always be this way. It is just horrendous finding parking downtown or in the short north without paying, and I do not want to pay a Garage in order to pickup a 8 dollar meal. I sometimes wish that these great places were located in a strip mall off some major corridor so I would be able to drive to them and easily park. I thought of this when reading about the new hot dog place Liz is opening, I know I will go there the first week it opens, but after that? Maybe once a year. I don't go downtown, and besides that I try to avoid High St. like the plague, so all the great places in the Short North, I rarely visit.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion
Conflicting emotions over Columbus?
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Angel
Grandview
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yes. i was going to go to la fogata last week but i could not find a parking space and i refuse to valet my car for a one-drink stop in.
i never go to the short north or downtown and the only reason i have lately is because of you guys. i like bodega because i can park on 3rd but that's about it.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Mister Shifter
Lewis Center
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It's beating a dead horse, but I feel it's a shame that I don't frequent some of my favorite spots simply because parking in the Short North is a nightmare.
I'd be a regular at Bodega, Skully's, La Fogata, etc... but it's just too much of a pain in the ass.
:(
Posted 4 years ago # -
columbusfoodie
West Side
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Ashland wrote Does anyone else feel conflicted a lot with the growth of the urban inner core of Columbus? I want nothing more than for us to have a vibrant urban inner core in Columbus, and I am happy anytime I hear of a new business, or restaurant, or development going up downtown, the short north, etc. At the same time I know most of these restaurants, or businesses I will never frequent, or if I do frequent them it will be twice a year maybe. I am a car person, and until we get some great transportation system or until I move I will always be this way. It is just horrendous finding parking downtown or in the short north without paying, and I do not want to pay a Garage in order to pickup a 8 dollar meal. I sometimes wish that these great places were located in a strip mall off some major corridor so I would be able to drive to them and easily park. I thought of this when reading about the new hot dog place Liz is opening, I know I will go there the first week it opens, but after that? Maybe once a year. I don't go downtown, and besides that I try to avoid High St. like the plague, so all the great places in the Short North, I rarely visit.
ITA, much in part because it's rather difficult for those of us who don't live downtown to deal with the parking issues. Case in point - we did a Short North crawl last week, and all the perfectly good parking spaces were covered with bags for valets, and we paid no less than $9 for valet parking that night because the parking lots were full (again with the valets) and there was no other option (and also because we ended up paying to park twice, since when we left The Burgundy Room, they made us get our car instead of just letting us walk the block to Rigsby's and pick it up later).
That's why I think the streetcar is a good idea, I just wish they'd consider extending it - from Greenlawn on the south end to 161 on the north. If they had a park and ride at either end, I'd be all over that bad boy and would probably eat/hang out in the city more often.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ndcent
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Ashland wrote Does anyone else feel conflicted a lot with the growth of the urban inner core of Columbus? I want nothing more than for us to have a vibrant urban inner core in Columbus, and I am happy anytime I hear of a new business, or restaurant, or development going up downtown, the short north, etc. At the same time I know most of these restaurants, or businesses I will never frequent, or if I do frequent them it will be twice a year maybe. I am a car person, and until we get some great transportation system or until I move I will always be this way. It is just horrendous finding parking downtown or in the short north without paying, and I do not want to pay a Garage in order to pickup a 8 dollar meal. I sometimes wish that these great places were located in a strip mall off some major corridor so I would be able to drive to them and easily park. I thought of this when reading about the new hot dog place Liz is opening, I know I will go there the first week it opens, but after that? Maybe once a year. I don't go downtown, and besides that I try to avoid High St. like the plague, so all the great places in the Short North, I rarely visit.
That is an incredibly insular point of view you've got there, Ashland.
Sounds like you should move.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ndcent
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Mister Shifter wrote It's beating a dead horse, but I feel it's a shame that I don't frequent some of my favorite spots simply because parking in the Short North is a nightmare.
I'd be a regular at Bodega, Skully's, La Fogata, etc... but it's just too much of a pain in the ass.
:(
Park behind my apartment anytime you like buttface.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ashland
In Ice Cube voice: WESTSIIIIIIIIDE
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Ndcent wrote
Ashland wrote Does anyone else feel conflicted a lot with the growth of the urban inner core of Columbus? I want nothing more than for us to have a vibrant urban inner core in Columbus, and I am happy anytime I hear of a new business, or restaurant, or development going up downtown, the short north, etc. At the same time I know most of these restaurants, or businesses I will never frequent, or if I do frequent them it will be twice a year maybe. I am a car person, and until we get some great transportation system or until I move I will always be this way. It is just horrendous finding parking downtown or in the short north without paying, and I do not want to pay a Garage in order to pickup a 8 dollar meal. I sometimes wish that these great places were located in a strip mall off some major corridor so I would be able to drive to them and easily park. I thought of this when reading about the new hot dog place Liz is opening, I know I will go there the first week it opens, but after that? Maybe once a year. I don't go downtown, and besides that I try to avoid High St. like the plague, so all the great places in the Short North, I rarely visit.
That is an incredibly insular point of view you've got there, Ashland.
Sounds like you should move.
Not insular at all, and in fact my pov is quite the opposite. I love what new stores do for our community as a whole, and love seeing the leaps and bounds we have made. I do not see how this is insular at all. None of these things are helping me at all, but I still love what they are doing for the community as a whole. If my pov was insular I would just be pissed off they were not where I could access them, and would not care about the community as a whole. If anything your POV seems very insular because you are writing off those that live in other areas and telling them to move.
Posted 4 years ago # -
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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I remember once when I lived in German Village, I tried to go to a show at Skully's…and after 30 minutes of looking for a parking space, I just gave up and went home. Now that I live down here…(wherever "here" is exactly) I find that I rarely go to places I can't walk to, or am willing to ride a bike to. It's a great setup for locals, but pretty lousy for visitors.
Even when I lived on 2nd, I would order some carryout from Mac's. If I walked, the food would be cold when I got it back. If I drove, it'd be fine…if I could find a space.
Nowadays I'm a little more creative/vigilant about parking, but I can see why people wouldn't want to come down here, especially if they aren't comfortable walking a few hundred yards to park.
Posted 4 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Ndcent wrote
Ashland wrote Does anyone else feel conflicted a lot with the growth of the urban inner core of Columbus? I want nothing more than for us to have a vibrant urban inner core in Columbus, and I am happy anytime I hear of a new business, or restaurant, or development going up downtown, the short north, etc. At the same time I know most of these restaurants, or businesses I will never frequent, or if I do frequent them it will be twice a year maybe. I am a car person, and until we get some great transportation system or until I move I will always be this way. It is just horrendous finding parking downtown or in the short north without paying, and I do not want to pay a Garage in order to pickup a 8 dollar meal. I sometimes wish that these great places were located in a strip mall off some major corridor so I would be able to drive to them and easily park. I thought of this when reading about the new hot dog place Liz is opening, I know I will go there the first week it opens, but after that? Maybe once a year. I don't go downtown, and besides that I try to avoid High St. like the plague, so all the great places in the Short North, I rarely visit.
That is an incredibly insular point of view you've got there, Ashland.
Sounds like you should move.
It is hard for some to make that commitment.
Dare we rehash some of the comments made in other threads about the availability of parking vs. increased transit options and an increase in pedestrian traffic as a way to increase business?
I will agree that parking, amongst other things, limits us to where we can go in that area. How well would some of these businesses do, though, in the outer reaches of the city? By being in the urban core, they are at least fairly central to a majority of Columbus-ites, much more so than being in a strip mall off of 161 or up in Polaris.
Heck, I just learned where Northstar was the other day by being on the bike. I'll have to ride up sometime and try their food and maybe a new favorite in Columbus. I had looked for it before, but had difficult finding where it was located.
Posted 4 years ago # -
gramarye
In Exile
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I had the advantage of being either at OSU (and able to take the #2 southbound) or coming in to work with my dad, who has a dedicated parking space downtown (which let me take the #2 northbound). When I drove in for Gallery Hop in the summers (since Dad didn't work Saturdays and I was usually taking summer quarters off at OSU), I would come pretty early to get a spot and then just walk for a while.
The lack of parking is definitely an issue at peak times. Other times, it's really not too bad, though. The problem is that the gap between peaks and troughs is just so severe.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ndcent
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Ashland wrote
Ndcent wrote
Ashland wrote Does anyone else feel conflicted a lot with the growth of the urban inner core of Columbus? I want nothing more than for us to have a vibrant urban inner core in Columbus, and I am happy anytime I hear of a new business, or restaurant, or development going up downtown, the short north, etc. At the same time I know most of these restaurants, or businesses I will never frequent, or if I do frequent them it will be twice a year maybe. I am a car person, and until we get some great transportation system or until I move I will always be this way. It is just horrendous finding parking downtown or in the short north without paying, and I do not want to pay a Garage in order to pickup a 8 dollar meal. I sometimes wish that these great places were located in a strip mall off some major corridor so I would be able to drive to them and easily park. I thought of this when reading about the new hot dog place Liz is opening, I know I will go there the first week it opens, but after that? Maybe once a year. I don't go downtown, and besides that I try to avoid High St. like the plague, so all the great places in the Short North, I rarely visit.
That is an incredibly insular point of view you've got there, Ashland.
Sounds like you should move.
Not insular at all, and in fact my pov is quite the opposite. I love what new stores do for our community as a whole, and love seeing the leaps and bounds we have made. I do not see how this is insular at all. None of these things are helping me at all, but I still love what they are doing for the community as a whole. If my pov was insular I would just be pissed off they were not where I could access them, and would not care about the community as a whole. If anything your POV seems very insular because you are writing off those that live in other areas and telling them to move.
Not others, just you. If you want to access these places like you say, it sincerely sounds like your best bet is to live in the area is what I guess I was trying to say.
And I'm very much not one of those anti-suburb downtown snobs (which you will find on this website.)
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ndcent
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blammo wrote Nowadays I'm a little more creative/vigilant about parking, but I can see why people wouldn't want to come down here, especially if they aren't comfortable walking a few hundred yards to park.
Thats the issue I think. There is tons of parking available. People just don't want to walk when they're used to going to a strip mall and parking a hundred feet away from their destination.
Posted 4 years ago # -
BetsyB
Westgate
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odd enough, Dave and I have not had a difficult time finding parking in the Short North or downtown. Sounds like you don't want to walk a few blocks to high street or park a few blocks away downtown.
I think we would be more regulars at places in the short north if they weren't so small and crowded, as I hate chaos and being bumped into while I am trying to enjoy my night out.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ashland
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Ndcent wrote
blammo wrote Nowadays I'm a little more creative/vigilant about parking, but I can see why people wouldn't want to come down here, especially if they aren't comfortable walking a few hundred yards to park.
Thats the issue I think. There is tons of parking available. People just don't want to walk when they're used to going to a strip mall and parking a hundred feet away from their destination.
That is exactly what I want, I want to pull up, hot out, get my food, and leave. I don't want to meander, and window shop, and all of this other garbage. For instance, out of all the places I frequent, downtown, short north, etc. I frequent the North Market the most. Why? I can pull up, hop out of my car, get my food and leave while only paying 50 cents or so to park. It works great for me, and because of this I frequent there more than anywhere else along the high st corridor. The same thing works for the Happy Greek in SCG. I can call ahead, drive over, park in the garage, hop out get my food, leave, and not have to pay a single dime for my parking. Greatest thing in the world.
Posted 4 years ago # -
dru
IV
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and therein lies the problem:
- too much parking = low density = lack of vitality & not enough to do
- not enough parking = high density = lots to do but limited/paid parking
i cannot think of too many urban areas where there is a zone of restaurants/bars/clubs/galleries where parking is abundant and free.
parking and walking is also relative. permit parking in the SN is virutally non-existent when you cross Summit or head north of 3rd. it places you between 1-10 blocks from where you want to be.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ashland
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BetsyB wrote odd enough, Dave and I have not had a difficult time finding parking in the Short North or downtown. Sounds like you don't want to walk a few blocks to high street or park a few blocks away downtown.
I think we would be more regulars at places in the short north if they weren't so small and crowded, as I hate chaos and being bumped into while I am trying to enjoy my night out.
I don't want to walk. I don't want to park 5 blocks away. I want to pull into Mcdonald's pick up my food, and leave. I just don't want to eat Mcdonald's every day of the week. I am sorry, I am fat, and i smoke, and I don't want to walk everywhere.
Posted 4 years ago # -
dru
IV
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Ashland wrote
Ndcent wrote
blammo wrote Nowadays I'm a little more creative/vigilant about parking, but I can see why people wouldn't want to come down here, especially if they aren't comfortable walking a few hundred yards to park.
Thats the issue I think. There is tons of parking available. People just don't want to walk when they're used to going to a strip mall and parking a hundred feet away from their destination.
That is exactly what I want, I want to pull up, hot out, get my food, and leave. I don't want to meander, and window shop, and all of this other garbage. For instance, out of all the places I frequent, downtown, short north, etc. I frequent the North Market the most. Why? I can pull up, hop out of my car, get my food and leave while only paying 50 cents or so to park. It works great for me, and because of this I frequent there more than anywhere else along the high st corridor. The same thing works for the Happy Greek in SCG. I can call ahead, drive over, park in the garage, hop out get my food, leave, and not have to pay a single dime for my parking. Greatest thing in the world.
and with that stated, it's pretty much a dead debate isn't it?
Posted 4 years ago # -
columbusfoodie
West Side
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Ndcent wrote
Thats the issue I think. There is tons of parking available. People just don't want to walk when they're used to going to a strip mall and parking a hundred feet away from their destination.
OK, playing the devil's advocate here - as a person who has handicapped plates (really bad knees), I can tell you that parking finding parking in a handicapped accessible location is fairly straightforward during the day, but downright impossible at dinner time, even on a weekday. How far is too far to walk? For me, I'd say a few blocks in either direction.
Now, if you could give suggestions as to where to park where I won't get towed (I know about the meters on High, and the public metered lots along High), I'm more than happy to listen. :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
chaptal
West Side
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I've had instances where I got fed up with being unable to park and went elsewhere and where I had a bit of paitence, found a spot and walked a few extra blocks. I can see the reasoning behind the frustration. It's a popular place though.
I have to park down there on Friday and Saturday night. My answer may change a bit after then. :P
Posted 4 years ago # -
shmack
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Ashland wrote Not insular at all, and in fact my pov is quite the opposite. I love what new stores do for our community as a whole, and love seeing the leaps and bounds we have made. I do not see how this is insular at all. None of these things are helping me at all, but I still love what they are doing for the community as a whole. If my pov was insular I would just be pissed off they were not where I could access them, and would not care about the community as a whole. If anything your POV seems very insular because you are writing off those that live in other areas and telling them to move.
what do you define as "our community?" if you don't patronize the stores, choose to promote their business within your means, then are these places really part of your chosen community? you are proud of the accomplishments of "our community" (and its business establishments) but have you actually contributed to the atmosphere of the neighborhood (by driving, parking, picking up, then leaving)? put your money/time/effort where your mouth is.
Posted 4 years ago #
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