Out of the Closet - Planned Development at 5th & High « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Out of the Closet - Planned Development at 5th & High

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Started 4 years ago by jpunkster
Latest reply from MichaelC

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leftovers

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It is always fun to play city planner or architect. There is probably a bit of George Costanza in all of us.

I have to agree with Coremodels and shrug my shoulders as I have no control of who buys the land. It does seem that they have a history of playing well and being successful in high profile neighborhoods. It does not appear to be their first dance.

This is also an area with high residential turnover and probably a good one to get quality donations. I realize I have a few pairs of $100 skinny jeans (which no longer fit) and some other trendish clothes which will probably be better donated here than to goodwill. I think it will open up the Short North shopping experience to more people of varying budgets and add a layer of guilt free shopping.

If the yelp comments are correct, you might be getting those jeans for less than $5 and be donating to a charity...why go to Walmart?

Posted 5 months ago #
howatzer

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Coremodels said:
Its awesome that so many people had so many aspirations for land they didn't own.

You just described at least 60% of the traffic on this message board.

Posted 5 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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howatzer said:
You just described at least 60% of the traffic on this message board.

AKA: People who have an interest in their own city.

Posted 5 months ago #
SayHey
Italian Village
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I bought a place right around the corner from this lot about a year ago. While I too would like to see the buidling match the others (and preferrably have some residential on top), I think AHF's plan fits well. Their press release actually suggests the treatment center will be elswhere. A "hip" thrift store, testing, and information center will obviously be an improvement. And, I like that it isn't just another upscale restaurant/bar. I think there should be a place in between the completely gentrified short north and campus that can allow for truly diverse mix of residents and businesses including those already there.

Posted 4 months ago #
Evelyn Van Til
Weinland Park in the Historic Short North
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Join us on Feb 25, 2012 from 1-5PM at Godman Guild Association for a Strategic Planning Workshop focused on Weinland Park's Community Development: from Employment and Land Use to Business and Economic Development: YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Posted 3 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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Looks like the Weinland Park blogger posted some info and plans. Thanks Weinland Park blogger!

http://weinlandpark.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/the-southwest-corner-proposal/

Posted 1 month ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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Personally, I think it is way too small of a foot print and needs to have at least 3 floors of apartments on top. Very underwhelmed.

Though I would like a bigger foot print, I like the fact that it still gives some breathing room to Brother's Drake Meadery and Middle West Spirits.

Posted 1 month ago #
columbusmike

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Yikes! Is it too much to ask developers to adhere to some simple, standard building conventions....aka no tubular corner entry piece, canopies, odd use of stucco, proportional windows, Zero-lot line, etc!?

Posted 1 month ago #
cbus11

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April Fool's was four days ago...

(I am hoping for some major design revisions.)

Posted 1 month ago #
mrsgeedeck
Castle of Lions
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What commission is responsible for approving this design? Does WP have their own or are they just tied to Columbus in general? While I know its not in IV or VV, as abutting neighborhoods who have invested a lot of time in trying to ensure new builds fit into the area, I can't imagine either group being too happy with this.

Posted 1 month ago #
cbus11

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This is in WP (which has an active Civic Association) but I believe the University Area Commission also has jurisdiction and has an overlay for High St (which I doubt this design fits).

I believe the other Out of the Closets are also painted bright pink.

Posted 1 month ago #
joshlapp
SoHud
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This design almost certainly does not ad-hear to the overlay. I think granting an exemption to Kroger to stay a single story was acceptable due to the situation, but honestly I'd rather wait for another developer to come along than squander this prime corner.

Posted 1 month ago #
Pablo
Crestview Addition
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Remember that the University District standards call for 1 to 3 story buildings on High St. (with the exception of South Campus Gateway) so the height falls within the guidelines. It's unfortunate since a taller building at this corner seems like a no-brainer. The apartments at 7th and High had to fight through zoning to allow 5 stories. I think the University Districts standards for High St. and Lane Ave. need to be revisited!

Posted 1 month ago #
rory
NW Short North
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mrsgeedeck said:
What commission is responsible for approving this design? Does WP have their own or are they just tied to Columbus in general? While I know its not in IV or VV, as abutting neighborhoods who have invested a lot of time in trying to ensure new builds fit into the area, I can't imagine either group being too happy with this.

I believe this falls squarely into the lap of the University Area Review Board although it is a prime topic of conversation in Weinland Park.

Posted 1 month ago #
leftovers

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Luv it!

;)

Posted 1 month ago #
ehill27
Short North
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ick.

Posted 1 month ago #
leftovers

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I really do not know how much power the commissions have to change this design. Should we be worried by this, or is it a case of they really can't build that?

Down the street, the fireproof bldg plans look great...

I think someone really needs to sit down with the Out of the Closet folks and explain how valuable of a corner that is and how something like apartments on top and sensible urban design would go over big here.

After they build phase II of the South Campus Gateway, High Street will have filled in a lot. It would be sad if the gateway to WP is capped by suburban, floridian, strip mall architecture.

Sadly, my only good thoughts on the design is that it looks like it would be easy to tear down.

Posted 1 month ago #
Evelyn Van Til
Weinland Park in the Historic Short North
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My understanding is that Out of the Closet (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) has been approached by virtually every developer in town with ideas on partnering to improve this underwhelming (and poor fit) of a design with apartments, urban appeal, etc...

AHF is very mission-driven and feels that any effort on their part to "do more" from our perspective will drag out their time line, over-extend their capacity, and take them off-mission. An international org, this is their first project outside of FLA and CA. They feel they have a formula that works in neighborhoods like Miami, San Fran, etc... and can hit the ground running in a time where their numbers tell them it's a good idea.

Nevertheless, as Rory says, this is still very much a topic of conversation in Weinland Park. Trying to schedule reps from AHF to join one of our next WPCCA meetings to share their plans and learn more from the community.

Their proposal did not pass the last UARB meeting, from my understanding, yet frustratingly also there's not much to hold them back from moving forward with a few tweaks. #ZoningFAIL

Posted 1 month ago #
colrex7
Ohio
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I am currently living in San Francisco, and I have noticed at least four Out of the Closet stores located throughout the city, and every single one is one story. It appears that this is part of their mission as stated before by Evelyn. Therefore, if the company will not change their designs to add a more intense development, then maybe more can be done at the sidewalk level to help create a better corner. In the end, better pedestrian presence and a reputable gay health and service center is extremely beneficial to the area. Not all development is about mixed-use and high profile structures. I think with some very easy changes, this can be a great project.

Posted 1 month ago #
wpcc88

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have they actually purchased the land yet?

Posted 1 month ago #