Jergarr27
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Who knows.. maybe someone will see your fantasy idea and make it a reality.
My fantasy project would be tearing down Vets Memorial and rebuilding it over at Cooper Stadium... instead of a race track.. and on top of the sight where Vets currently sits... the city builds a downtown gateway.. similar to the South Campus Gateway, but less college oriented. Maybe even incorporate some of the space on the opposite side of Broad street by COSI..
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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A real honest to goodness subway running under High Street, and maybe one under Broad while were at it
tree_sketcher
Columbus
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Number one fantasy: busy sidewalks! (high quality urbanism)
after that, I have a list ;)
1. complete streets
2. "green", contemporary, well designed architecture
3. a few well-designed skyscrapers in the right places to "complete" and soften our skyline
4. a sky farm or two
5. downtown transit circulator
6. diverse and affordable housing options
7. Large beer garden with micro-brews (hint hint elevator and cbc)
8. reduction in the number of tire retailers and auto-repair places
patient_zero
Falafel District
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jmak wrote >>
Shadowbox back downtown. (Hoping this is more than just a fantasy but we'll see ... )
Mark (from Shadowbox) and I were talking about turning the former Jacobsen's into a Shadowbox in March. As we all know, Capital South had no such vision to keep Jacobsen's and Marshall Fields, and demo the rest of the mall as was done with some of the Northland Mall properties. The, "It would cost twice as much to convert the property than to build fresh" study seems to be a bit trumped up to match someone's political agenda.
Schottenstein stores and Ohio Department of Taxation adapted to the old Lazarus building in a fiscally sound manner, as I'm sure other tenants could have done in Marshall Fields and Jacobsen's.
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2008/04/21/story6.html
JimSweeney
E. Fton
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two words: COSI. peninsula. although this is no fantasy, it's coming. just take look at the map. did the city buy and clear all that land, or build that fancy pants bridge and all those riverfront parks for nothing? is it a coincidence that CMHA is clearing out the public housing on Rich at McDowell? Don't take my word for it. go take a look.
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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My downtown fantasy project isn't a project at all. It's a series of small things coming together, which would spur lots of 'projects' not just one big one. I think we have plenty of "big projects" most of which have failed to deliver much value. The economics it takes to power those big projects fail to align with social and demographic trends.
Anyhow, here's my list of small things that I feel could lead to big things. Not just downtown, but around the entire city:
1. Sensible liquor laws that are aligned with the times.
Why the liquor licenses in the public sector sell for $3 - $5k and let's the value of those rise to $25,000 - $50,000k on the private market is beyond me. I can't understand why they would have a system where they only collect about 1/10 of the value. Don't we need to raise revenues?
2. Improved, streamlined business permitting processes.
The cost, speed and efficiency of doing business is seriously impacted by poor, inefficient business permitting processes that are based on "that's just how we do things". Enough is enough.
3. Streamlined street closure permitting process.
The success of Independent's Day and Highball are two examples. Why aren't we having events like this ALL the time? One big reason. Working with the city on closing the streets is a timely, costly pain in the ass. It shouldn't be. Make it easier and you'll see more activity.
4. City services operated with a customer service focus.
5. Laws that crack down on absentee property owners who have no vested interest in the community.
6. Stop focusing on "green space" downtown.
A large percentage of people in Columbus enjoy large backyards and wide open spaces. We don't need more green space or more "parks" downtown. It's the wrong focus and fails to align with the culture of the city.
7. Create a river front liquor zone with permits that are auctioned off.
8. Stop creating special districts with names and acronyms that give off the perception of progress.
Politicians love to throw out the big idea (naming shit) without having programmed the district and generating any real activity first. Progress first and then the district can earn a name not the other way around.
9. Bike lanes
I know some are against it. I'm for it.
10. Aesthetic cohesiveness based around a real vision for downtown.
From street lamps, to garbage cans to way finding signage. It would set the tone and perhaps inspire more city pride.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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I'd agree with bike lanes but only as bike and bus only lanes enforceable at all hours.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Wait-this thread has been up for a day? Where the hell is enzo on this?
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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JonMyers wrote >>
My downtown fantasy project isn't a project at all. It's a series of small things coming together, which would spur lots of 'projects' not just one big one.
I agree wholeheartedly. Big fancy projects are fun to point at and be proud of (which I totally understand as the point of this thread), but when you get down to the types of things that everyone will enjoy on a daily basis, it's the little things that really count.
I'd gladly turn down the tallest building in the world in favor of the equivalent number of shorter city blocks filled with 3-6 story dense, smart, attractive urban mixed-use development.
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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I think it's sad that most of the things mentioned above have to be considered "fantasy projects". These are things that this city should have already or at least planned. Seeing as though many of our competing cities already have these things, it seems as though we are a little behind.
"Fantasy Projects" (although some of these we should have)
-relocated NBA team from Clevelend in a downtown arena
-new soccer stadium in the Brewery District.
-a golf course on the Whittier
-a monument; our version of the St. Louis arch
-a museum of modern art
-world class fashion institute in a new downtown campus
-largest music, art, fashion and media festival in at least the Midwest: one festival celebrating it all.
-an indoor beach
-urban Best Buy
-a Coyote Ugly
"Common Sense Projects"
-light rail/streetcars
-"green" buildings
-at least one new skyscraper within the next 100 years
-more dense walkable neighborhoods
-a REAL central park
-a REAL downtown plan
-an urban growth boundary
-more affordable downtown housing in something that is not stick built and higher than 3 stories.
you know, just common sense stuff.
As for the sewer project, the city is already spending hundreds of millions on upgrading sewers. It was part of the bond package passed two years ago. It was also required by the EPA that we do this.
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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-Bike station(s)
-Expanded bike sharing
howatzer
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jpizzow wrote >>
As for the sewer project, the city is already spending hundreds of millions on upgrading sewers. It was part of the bond package passed two years ago. It was also required by the EPA that we do this.
That "requirement" is a fine of a couple hundred thousand per year. When compared to the multi-billions required to the meet the mandates, that's not much of an incentive. Anyway, by the time the upgrades are done, it'll be just in time for.... more upgrades.
Assuming clean water, I'd love to see the 5th ave dam taken out and the olentangy restored as a true greeenway between campus and downtown.
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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johnwirtz wrote >>
-Bike station(s)
-Expanded bike sharing
The good thing is that the private sector is seeing the need for employee (and in some cases public) bike commuting facilities. Last I heard, Children's was doing some good work to make space for commuters. Grant also allows use of locker rooms/showers for a small monthly fee.
colinpperkins
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A state-of-the-art motion picture production studio w/ sound stages, editing facilities, etc.
Not. Bloody. Likely.
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