OSU Dorms Downtown Proposal « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion

OSU Dorms Downtown Proposal

[49 posts] [28 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 1 year ago by KyleB
Latest reply from Tenzo

Tags:

12 3 Next »

KyleB

Login to Send PM

I recently put together a video proposing that Ohio State build dorms downtown. My proposal includes renovating 3 older buildings, and building a new mid/high rise building in the adjacent parking lot. I think the intersection of High St. and Gay would be an excellent location for this development. Students could become apart of the same urban fabric Neighborhood Launch is creating.

As a student in Columbus, I've noticed many of my peers would like to live downtown, but cannot afford to due to high rent prices. I figure if we can establish a strong student presence in this already thriving area, Downtown Columbus and Ohio State can grow together. I for one think it would be great if one of the nation's largest universities took advantage of the exciting development opportunities occurring Downtown, especially in this area. Please join the Facebook group here to share your thoughts.

Check out the Youtube video:

Get the Flash Video

Posted 1 year ago #
Zooky

Login to Send PM

As a downtown resident I absolutely love the idea. However, I don't forsee it as happening anytime soon. Gateway has vacant storefronts, I'm guessing the apartments are not full (that OSU owns in Gateway), and OSU just bought the Holiday Inn for more dorms. Again, I'd love to see it happen, but doubt it will.

Posted 1 year ago #
roy
Downtown
Login to Send PM

KyleB wrote >> many of my peers would like to live downtown, but cannot afford to due to high rent prices.

There are all sorts of downtown rentals, many at student-friendly price points. Franklin, CCAD, Capital Law and CSCC all contribute to the student housing market. Where are you looking?

Posted 1 year ago #
Wickham
German Village
Login to Send PM

I like the idea but think the costs for OSU would turn them off. Not only the initial costs but also the property costs along with having student housing for far from the main campus. I may be mistaken but aren't most of the students in dorms 18 to 19 year olds? If the dorms were for graduate students I think might work better (if those exist?), but I am not convinced parents of 18 & 19 year olds paying for their kids tuition would want their kid living so far from the university environment and safety net. If the university could make it work though you wouldn't hear any complaints from me!

Posted 1 year ago #
cc

Login to Send PM

I think this is more a project for Franklin, Capital, CCAD or CSCC. OSU would also have to consider security for the downtown students as it does on its own campus, probably a cafeteria and other associated costs. If they had a ton of classes in the downtown arts space this may become more reasonable. As it stands now i would rather have my kid live near his/her classes then in a hip place to live.

Posted 1 year ago #
gramarye
In Exile
Login to Send PM

cc wrote >>
I think this is more a project for Franklin, Capital, CCAD or CSCC.

I have to agree. The university has its hands full dealing with its existing footprint and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding Main Campus. As mentioned earlier in the thread, the Gateway project has not had the spinoff effects that were hoped for (and used to justify the extraordinary price tag of the complex). West Campus is a much more likely place for more OSU dorms than Downtown, and failing that, they're more likely to look for land much nearer to campus.

Posted 1 year ago #
J.R. Locke
Weinland Park
Login to Send PM

Wickham wrote >>
but I am not convinced parents of 18 & 19 year olds paying for their kids tuition would want their kid living so far from the university environment and safety net.

THe majority of parents pay for their child's college? Man this country has regressed.

I love the idea but cannot see how it will happen. Plus transportation would be the likely killer.

Posted 1 year ago #
KyleEzell

Login to Send PM

This is a great idea. It's the difference between Columbus and Austin-- a major downtown student presence. Transportation is not a killer, it's on the bus line! Kyle's proposal was for grad students, married students, and upper classmen/women. Gay Street would be forever blessed.

Posted 1 year ago #
Brant
Gahanna
Login to Send PM

I see a number of potential advantages for downtown, but I just don't see what OSU could gain from this.

Posted 1 year ago #
BCNation
Franklin Park
Login to Send PM

cc wrote >>
I think this is more a project for Franklin, Capital, CCAD or CSCC. OSU would also have to consider security for the downtown students as it does on its own campus, probably a cafeteria and other associated costs. If they had a ton of classes in the downtown arts space this may become more reasonable. As it stands now i would rather have my kid live near his/her classes then in a hip place to live.

I totally agree.

Posted 1 year ago #
tree_sketcher
Columbus
Login to Send PM

Think big people! OSU is one of those glaring institutions in this region without a major presence downtown - the Urban Arts Space is a start, but has a small impact compared to the potential of this. I think that this would be really an excellent way for students to dip their toe into the water of 'downtown' urban living without making what may seem to be the big leap of moving.

I have a few thoughts:

1. I think this would benefit OSU in two ways; greater direct access for students to downtown businesses and government agencies; and 2) a housing product that OSU does not currently offer ($$).
2. The transportation thing is an issue, but a certain transit project and the existing bus system would seem to make due.
3. The building(s) could contain labs or office space for business and government internships; think Fisher College, Knowlton Hall and Glenn School satellite campus.
4. OSU already has several outreach and branch facilities throughout Columbus; I dont know why a significant downtown project would too much of a stretch.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

roy wrote >>
There are all sorts of downtown rentals, many at student-friendly price points. Franklin, CCAD, Capital Law and CSCC all contribute to the student housing market. Where are you looking?

My bro-in-law spent several weeks hunting for affordable Downtown apartments, mostly in the that area. Every building he checked on had no vacancies. I think there is certainly demand for more rentals Downtown.

Zooky wrote >>
Gateway has vacant storefronts, I'm guessing the apartments are not full.

Last time I checked (which was about a year ago) they had nearly full residential occupancy there since those apartments first opened.

Brant Jones wrote >>
I see a number of potential advantages for downtown, but I just don't see what OSU could gain from this.

What does OSU gain from University Village?

http://www.universityvillage.com

Posted 1 year ago #
Likes Old Houses
Harrison West
Login to Send PM

I like the idea of this program, but I agree that Downtown has more to gain then OSU does.
For anyone interested in looking at OSU's master plans, check out http://fod.osu.edu/masterplans/index.htm

I love the North dorms plan!

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

I was a bit skeptical until I read this:

KyleEzell wrote >>
Kyle's proposal was for grad students, married students, and upper classmen/women.

...and realized that this was a proposal for something more similar to University Village rather than dorms for freshmen.

It sounds like it could make sense.

Posted 1 year ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
Login to Send PM

Brant Jones wrote >>
I see a number of potential advantages for downtown, but I just don't see what OSU could gain from this.

I think that OSU could gain a fair amount from this, but I have to wonder if this could be seen as a conflict with their commitment to invest in the near east side with the OSU East expansion (more info here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/new-neighborhood-revitalization-on-near-east-side/). On the flip side, it might fit in with a strong overall strategy for the area.

Posted 1 year ago #
tree_sketcher
Columbus
Login to Send PM

OSU inherently benefits from a healthy Columbus; especially when trying to attract national and international students and faculty.

Posted 1 year ago #
gk
columbus, ohio
Login to Send PM

Walker wrote >>

roy wrote >>
There are all sorts of downtown rentals, many at student-friendly price points. Franklin, CCAD, Capital Law and CSCC all contribute to the student housing market. Where are you looking?

My bro-in-law spent several weeks hunting for affordable Downtown apartments, mostly in the that area. Every building he checked on had no vacancies. I think there is certainly demand for more rentals Downtown.

Zooky wrote >>
Gateway has vacant storefronts, I'm guessing the apartments are not full.

Last time I checked (which was about a year ago) they had nearly full residential occupancy there since those apartments first opened.

Brant Jones wrote >>
I see a number of potential advantages for downtown, but I just don't see what OSU could gain from this.

What does OSU gain from University Village?
http://www.universityvillage.com

Walker, did your brother-in-law check out the new Annex at Riversouth which has been touted by public officials as meeting the need for affordable downtown housing. I understand that the entire project on both sides of front street is now for lease.

ETA "The new Lifestyle Communities project, The Annex will be built on land formerly occupied by the old downtown Lazarus parking lots. This development is a part of the revitalization efforts in the River South District, bringing moderately priced housing to Downtown Columbus. As a part of the CityÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s efforts, a new 773-space parking garage is being constructed, Front Street will become a two-way street, and a pedestrian-friendly environment is being created along Wall Street.

This is a cooperative effort with The City of Columbus and Columbus Downtown Development Corporation to bring affordable housing to downtown,Ã‚Â says DeAscentis. This project is being realized because of the commitment of Mayor Michael B. Coleman to bring housing to downtown, and is only possible because of the dedication and assistance of the staffs of Public Service under Director Mark Kelsey, Public Utilities under Director Tatyana Arsh, development under Boyce Safford Reese, and CDDC under the direction of Guy Worley."

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

No, he didn't check those out. I think they're out of his price-range with the cheapest at $905/mo. That's still cheap for brand-new downtown modern rentals (with covered parking) but he's looking for something more in the $400 range with no parking.

Which as Roy pointed out, can be found in the SE portion of Downtown, although not in any sort of readily available supply.

Posted 1 year ago #
gk
columbus, ohio
Login to Send PM

Walker wrote >>
No, he didn't check those out. I think they're out of his price-range with the cheapest at $905/mo. That's still cheap for brand-new downtown modern rentals (with covered parking) but he's looking for something more in the $400 range with no parking.
Which as Roy pointed out, can be found in the SE portion of Downtown, although not in any sort of readily available supply.

Perhaps the Commons at Grant might be an option. I understand that rent varies by income level there.

Posted 1 year ago #
Brant
Gahanna
Login to Send PM

Walker wrote >>
I was a bit skeptical until I read this:

KyleEzell wrote >>
Kyle's proposal was for grad students, married students, and upper classmen/women.

...and realized that this was a proposal for something more similar to University Village rather than dorms for freshmen.
It sounds like it could make sense.

I don't think OSU is directly affiliated with University Village. Unless I'm mistaken, it's a privately owned apartment complex. Are you thinking of Buckeye Village?

Posted 1 year ago #