Revitalization of Downtown Newark « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Development

Revitalization of Downtown Newark

[22 posts] [11 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 1 year ago by Walker
Latest reply from groundrules

Tags:

12 Next »

Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

I've never spent a lot of time in Newark, but recently passed through the Downtown area and was somewhat surprised by the size of it. With a population nearing 50,000, Newark is the second-largest city in Central Ohio behind Columbus.

Some photos of Downtown Newark can be found over at Urban Ohio with the links below:

http://urbanohio.com/gallery/index.php?album=Central+Ohio%2FNewark

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17129.0.html

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12933.0.html

Anyway, according to this NBC4 article, it sounds like they're looking to give the revitalization efforts another go.

New Direction Sought For Historic Downtown Newark
By CANDICE LEE
Published: July 07, 2010

A Central Ohio downtown is looking for new direction and wants the input of property owners. Over the years, community members in Newark have tried to find ways to attract families downtown, but roadblocks have often spelled the downfall of the groups.

READ MORE: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/jul/07/new-direction-sought-historic-downtown-newark-ar-138189/

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

I grew up outside of Newark and my family frequently went shopping in Heath. I would very much like to see Newark's downtown gain some vitality. I have to admit that I'm skeptical though (of course, based on impressions almost a decade old). I suppose it would depend on their standards for success, though--and what those "roadblocks" mentioned were and whether they can be eliminated efficiently (or at all).

If it's just some policy changes at the government level, that would be great. Unfortunately, I think it's more than that. Newark, along with pretty much all of the other county capitals around Franklin (Delaware, Marysville, London, Circleville, Lancaster) just doesn't have the critical mass of young, energetic, creative types to do what Columbus has done. Newark also doesn't have a very large, established (or even transient) professional class to actually provide a market for the higher-end niche items that you see in Columbus.

That said, I definitely wish them the best, and if they come up with something that appeals to those of us outside the world of collectible baskets, I'll even make a trip back into my demesne of old of Licking County to check it out.

Posted 1 year ago #
colrex7
Ohio
Login to Send PM

I too am from central Licking County and am very familiar with the area. I always dreamed of better days for downtown Newark. There really could be a lot of potential for that area. But like gramarye said, there isn't a progressive mindset in Newark that other larger towns posses. It can definitely improve upon itself, and I will look forward to seeing what comes from this.

Also, I stumbled upon this a while back...looks interesting.
http://neighborhooddesign.org/WEB%20PAGE%202009/PROJECT%20PORTFOLIO/Workshops/Project1-1Newark4thstreet.html

Posted 1 year ago #
NEOBuckeye
Ohio At-Large
Login to Send PM

IMHO, there are two things that the county capitals around Columbus/Central Ohio would benefit wonderfully from:

1.) A multi-county regional government structure. A consolidated Columbus-Franklin County would naturally serve as the regional government's seat, but each of the capitals of the surrounding consolidated counties (e.g. Newark-Licking County, Circleville-Pickaway County, Delaware-Delaware County, etc.) would be recognized as special economic development zones in order to encourage new investment and attract new people.

2.) A Spoke & Hub Regional Rail System connecting all of the county capitals (e.g. "spokes") with the central hub in Columbus.

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

I think that's asking too much, particularly in the short and medium term. You could wait until the Second Coming and never see that. Also, I don't particularly like the undertone that there's nothing Newark can do on its own, so it needs to bind itself to Columbus ASAP (politically and through new infrastructure).

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see a rail line from Newark to Columbus (and unlike many proposed lines, there's at least track already in existence between the two). The problem is that trains need destination. Newark isn't one yet.

Grand schemes shouldn't be necessary, and at the very least shouldn't be an opening move. The fundamentals have to come first.

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

Yeah, I think forging a partnership between Columbus & Newark governments rather than trailblazing with regional governance would probably be the quicker route to success. It also wouldn't hurt to get a solid private developer or two on board in Newark.

That being said, I can't help but compare the rail track distance between Columbus & Newark (around 35 miles) to that of the Music City Star rail line running between Nashville and Lebanon Tennessee (pop 20k, less than half of Newark).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_City_Star

A 32 Mile commuter rail line for $41M in 2006. We should be able to do something very similar for a very affordable pricetag.

If I were in charge of this effort, that would be the route I'd pursue. Wouldn't be easy, but I have to imagine the economic return on investment has the potential to be a real game changer not only Downtown Newark but for that whole region.

Posted 1 year ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
Login to Send PM

I went to OSU Newark for 2 years and never set foot in their downtown. Might want to connect those two places together. I would have checked it out if I knew where the hell it was in relation to OSU. I'm tellin' ya: wayfinding signs are worth their weight in gold. Afterall, exurbs are still big and while they offer a long commute they can also offer urban amenities, such as in the case of a large, small city like Nerk.

Posted 1 year ago #
colrex7
Ohio
Login to Send PM

Keeping in mind that the Newark vicinity has roughly 60,000 people, OSU Newark, COTC, and Denison University are close by, and the fact that many many folks in the region work in Columbus, there is a good possibility a passenger rail line could work well connecting Newark with Columbus.

Posted 1 year ago #
joev
Merion Village
Login to Send PM

Newark needs to embrace the wonderful assets it already has, and improve them to give it more of an identity. The Newark Earthworks are America's equivalent of The Acropolis, and yet, there's a middling golf course on top of them. Other mound sites are sprinkled around the city. Yet nothing has been done to connect these dots.

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

Newark parking free, but stores upset
MONDAY, JULY 12, 2010
BY JOSH JARMAN
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

As downtown's parking problem lingers, the union representing the city's laid-off parking attendants questions whether a magistrate's leniency on parking violators cost the workers their jobs.

The city laid off its two parking-enforcement attendants March 31 as part of citywide budget cuts. As part of their duties, the attendants patrolled the public square to make sure that vehicles did not stay parked for longer than the three hours allowed by city ordinance.

READ MORE: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/07/12/copy/newark-parking-free-but-stores-upset.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

Posted 1 year ago #
manticore33
Delaware, OH
Login to Send PM

gramarye: I would disagree about Delaware. We have a thriving restaurant scene and our downtown keeps getting better and better each passing month.

When I started driving in 1997 at 16, I always drove to campus and the Short North because the lack of everything in Delaware. Since that time we now have coffee shops, alfresco dining, variety of dining options, local arts group, two farmer's markets per week, a community market, and now have a late night community event called First Fridays.

Is it the caliber of the Short North? Not at all. But, I find the area far better than most free-standing communities in Central Ohio.

Posted 1 year ago #
GeorgeFox

Login to Send PM

1. Regional government model probably would be met with lots of resistence from the outlying counties as much of their self-governence would be lost...and there is not much love for "Columbus" in the surrounding counties...kind of a reason why many of those residents choose to live there and not, in say, The Peach District.

2. The rail line makes perfect sense and, coupled with the new 161 freeway, would really cause Newark---along with the rest of Licking County to boom. Actually, Walker, the rail makes more sense there than the one did from downtown to Ohio State. That line was more of a tourist line and benefitted a few people living in the Short North and Victorian Village. The line to Newark would encourage growth and allieviate a congested Interstate 70 and 161.

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

manticore33 wrote >>
gramarye: I would disagree about Delaware. We have a thriving restaurant scene and our downtown keeps getting better and better each passing month.

Sounds like it's going to continue to get better and better as well:

Entrepreneurs Turn To Delaware For Funding, Workforce Development

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

GeorgeFox wrote >>
Actually, Walker, the rail makes more sense there than the one did from downtown to Ohio State. That line was more of a tourist line and benefitted a few people living in the Short North and Victorian Village. The line to Newark would encourage growth and allieviate a congested Interstate 70 and 161.

It sounds like you're referring to the Streetcar line, which I think serves a completely different purpose than a suburban light-rail commuter line. A Newark-Downtown line would most likely be a rush-hour work commute line, while a Downtown-OSU Streetcar would service a more broad demographic that includes Downtown workers, Convention-goers, OSU Students, as well as resident commuters.

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

Here's a thread I put up over the winter when I got crazy with Google maps.

It's been years since I've been to Newark, and the last time I was there, the only thing downtown was a crappy redneck bar. That said, there was plenty of potential and the downtown itself was somewhat attractive if a bit beat down.

Rail into Newark would be a nice development engine. I could see people who don't want to live in the "big city", but still want a walkable community really flocking to someplace like Newark. I think that you could say the same thing about many smaller cites around Columbus.

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

Newark Zoning To Limit New Downtown Businesses
By STEVE WAINFOR
Published: August 23, 2010

The city of Newark has been trying to make its Downtown a destination point for visitors to Licking County. By tearing down older buildings and updating others, the city is trying to attract new businesses to the area.

But with a new piece of legislation, not all new businesses are wanted. The new legislation, which currently passed committee, says that no new tattoo parlors, pawns shops or auto-repair businesses will be allowed to set up shop Downtown. Also, businesses that need a liquor permit will now have to get a conditional use permit.

READ MORE: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/aug/23/3/newark-zoning-will-limit-new-businesses-downtown-ar-205323/

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

NewarkÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Midland Theatre gets state cash
Business First
Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The operators of the renovated Midland Theatre in Newark are getting some help from the state as they make continued improvements to the 82-year-old landmark.

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission recently approved a $300,000 grant to the Newark Midland Theatre Association Inc. The group wants to make several improvements to the performance center and concert hall, including adding a dressing room shower and box office and board room renovations and roof improvements.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2010/11/24/newarks-midland-theatre-gets-state-cash.html

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

Newark pursues studies of transit needs
6:37 AM, Feb. 13, 2011

Written by
KENT MALLETT
Advocate Reporter

Newark officials hope to better understand the public's transportation needs and clear up misconceptions about the city's current transit program.

The city recently invited requests for proposals from consulting firms interested in helping the city with feasibility studies of fixed-route transit, an intermodal passenger hub and streetcars.

READ MORE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110213/NEWS01/102130302/1006/sports/Newark-pursues-studies-transit-needs?odyssey=nav|head

Posted 1 year ago #
Antonio

Login to Send PM

Walker wrote >>
Newark pursues studies of transit needs
6:37 AM, Feb. 13, 2011
Written by
KENT MALLETT
Advocate Reporter
Newark officials hope to better understand the public's transportation needs and clear up misconceptions about the city's current transit program.
The city recently invited requests for proposals from consulting firms interested in helping the city with feasibility studies of fixed-route transit, an intermodal passenger hub and streetcars.
READ MORE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110213/NEWS01/102130302/1006/sports/Newark-pursues-studies-transit-needs?odyssey=nav|head

Who knew Newark Ohio had money to burn ?

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

There's a huge opportunity for Newark to make an investment in public infrastructure than can be used to leverage new development.

Posted 1 year ago #