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YouTubeWith all of the buzz about the possible relocation of the casino, all I hear is negative comments about the Hilltop. Being a native, I get really tired of reading all of the nasty comments about my home. Since I think most people here are rational, can you please shed some light on why the entire city hates the west side?
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Question About Westside/Hilltop Haters
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kcrissinger
Brookshire
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Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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kcrissinger wrote >>
With all of the buzz about the possible relocation of the casino, all I hear is negative comments about the Hilltop. Being a native, I get really tired of reading all of the nasty comments about my home. Since I think most people here are rational, can you please shed some light on why the entire city hates the west side?I've heard similar irrational hatred/commentary directed at just about every neighborhood in the city (and beyond). You're probably just hearing a lot of it about the West Side lately because of the news buzz. I wouldn't take too much of it seriously. Some people just want to rant without any real logic behind their words. I find it's usually best to ignore them and spend your energy on people with more serious and rational concerns.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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I think most people here are optimistic about the Hilltop. I know I am, but a casino is just for people wanting to get rich quick or as Kunstler puts it: something for nothing. I'd rather see investment in W Broad and Sullivant that doesn't also simultaneously take a toll on some low-income residents. The negative perception come from people who think it's a ghetto, in which case they have never been to a real one (parts of the southside of Chicago, for instance) and have likely never experienced the #1 reason to go: taco trucks. Does Los Guachos deliver? I got a hankering for some tacos al pastor.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Matthew
Hilltop
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Keith is right, if you want a true ghetto go visit Cabrini Green if it still exists.
Kristi try not to focus on the haters. Look at all of the people who are coming out in defense of our area, regardless of which side of the issue they fall on. I really believe this area has what it takes to become the next big thing in Columbus. If we need more issues like bike lanes and casinos to further strengthen us then so be it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
d_gerard_777
W. Broad Street
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Someone on the Dispatch site said we on the West Side are just looking for a hand-out. They haven't been to Westgate or Wilshire Heights lately. We take great pride in where we live, we take care of our homes & our crime rate is no different than any other part of the city. I for one am really tired of the bad rap we get for no reason. Just because the Mayor's journey only brings him here 2 times a year and we are virtually forgotten downtown means nothing as far as I am concerned. Westgate Neighbors Association has spawned the Highland West Neighbors Association. The GHAC is moving in the right direction... there is a lot to be proud of out here. For those that think we all want a hand-out, I say tour the neighborhoods out here, not the main corridor (yet) things are on the move and now that the Zoning Commission knows the challenges we face everyday on the Hilltop and they are committed to a rehab... only good things can happen next. We as a community need to support the businesses out here with our patronage, money and positive attitude. WE CAN make a difference, AND WE WILL. Cudo's to WNA for their efforts.
Posted 2 years ago # -
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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adrock
Grandview Heights
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while i grew up in 43228/lincoln village, it was inside the hilliard school district so i never really lived in the "west side". but it was before hilliard had anything except a mcdonalds, frisch's and kroger so we went to the west side for pretty much everything.
if you don't understand, then i think you just need to go around columbus some more. the west side really is a waste land, and it's largely due to the types of people who live there. sure, the people of west gate have done a great job of keeping their area clean and nice. but that doesn't really make up for it being surround by crap on all sides.
my old roommmate's dad was born and raised in the crappy part and then moved to west gate after he made a decent living for himself. from his viewpoint as a nearly lifelong resident of the area, he was one of a very select few to do that. he said people there just have no hope in life. they grow up there and never leave the area and never desire anything better for themselves.
you can have all the pride in it you want, but it's the only place i've seen where gangs hang out in the street and don't let cars pass through like they're in a bad 80's movie. yes, it happened to me while my he was in the car and he said it's common. i hung out at his old house (on vida i think) a few times and it was just an awful, depressing place to be. just plain bad people for neighbors living in rentals owned by slum lords. you can try to blame the slum lords, but these people could've paid the same in rent to live anywhere else in columbus, but liked it there because they could be as trashy as they wanted and fit in.
it's become obvious that many of the regular posters on here aren't columbus natives, so they probably don't get it (i don't mean you necessarily kcrissinger since i don't know your story). i completely respect anyone's decision to move into the area to try to make a change there. there are many houses there which would be multi-million dollar houses if they weren't trashed and in a different part of town. more power to anyone doing that.
but until the vast majority of the population of the west side decides that having a decent standard of living is more important than a steady supply of cigarettes, alcohol, and guns, no one in columbus is ever going to respect the area.
Posted 2 years ago # -
roy
Downtown
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d_gerard_777 wrote >> Just because the Mayor's journey only brings him here 2 times a year and we are virtually forgotten downtown means nothing as far as I am concerned.
This is a ridiculous statement. If your restaurant ever opens, don't expect remarks like this to make you a respected business owner.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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you can have all the pride in it you want, but it's the only place i've seen where gangs hang out in the street and don't let cars pass through like they're in a bad 80's movie. yes, it happened to me while my he was in the car and he said it's common. i hung out at his old house (on vida i think) a few times and it was just an awful, depressing place to be. just plain bad people for neighbors living in rentals owned by slum lords. you can try to blame the slum lords, but these people could've paid the same in rent to live anywhere else in columbus, but liked it there because they could be as trashy as they wanted and fit in.
The last 3-4 times I have been on the Westside I've had no issues. It may be pockets but overall I think many of the neighbors in the established neighborhoods are working hard to engage CPD, start block watches and change the reality.
I'm not going to gloss over the bad. There is still a lot of work to be done. What is being done is wonderful and I only hope it continues.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Core_Models
Columbus
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adrock wrote >>
you can have all the pride in it you want, but it's the only place i've seen where gangs hang out in the street and don't let cars pass through like they're in a bad 80's movie. yes, it happened to me while my he was in the car and he said it's common. i hung out at his old house (on vida i think) a few times and it was just an awful, depressing place to be. just plain bad people for neighbors living in rentals owned by slum lords. you can try to blame the slum lords, but these people could've paid the same in rent to live anywhere else in columbus, but liked it there because they could be as trashy as they wanted and fit in.
it's become obvious that many of the regular posters on here aren't columbus natives, so they probably don't get it (i don't mean you necessarily kcrissinger since i don't know your story). i completely respect anyone's decision to move into the area to try to make a change there. there are many houses there which would be multi-million dollar houses if they weren't trashed and in a different part of town. more power to anyone doing that.
but until the vast majority of the population of the west side decides that having a decent standard of living is more important than a steady supply of cigarettes, alcohol, and guns, no one in columbus is ever going to respect the area.You just described the Short North, German Village, Old Town East, etc.
You claim people aren't long time Columbus residents, but I gotta question how long time a resident you are with so short a memory.
Posted 2 years ago # -
misskitty
Columbus
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you can have all the pride in it you want, but it's the only place i've seen where gangs hang out in the street and don't let cars pass through like they're in a bad 80's movie. yes, it happened to me while my he was in the car and he said it's common. i hung out at his old house (on vida i think) a few times and it was just an awful, depressing place to be. just plain bad people for neighbors living in rentals owned by slum lords. you can try to blame the slum lords, but these people could've paid the same in rent to live anywhere else in columbus, but liked it there because they could be as trashy as they wanted and fit in.
it's become obvious that many of the regular posters on here aren't columbus natives, so they probably don't get it (i don't mean you necessarily kcrissinger since i don't know your story). i completely respect anyone's decision to move into the area to try to make a change there. there are many houses there which would be multi-million dollar houses if they weren't trashed and in a different part of town. more power to anyone doing that.
but until the vast majority of the population of the west side decides that having a decent standard of living is more important than a steady supply of cigarettes, alcohol, and guns, no one in columbus is ever going to respect the area.
What ?!?! lol I have never seen a known gang member or a whole gang standing on the street corner or had anyone stop my car. I have seen rock slingers but they won't stand in front of your car. I grew up on the West side some of the people I know are great and some are crack heads it's no different than any other side of town. It's this type of fear and scare tactics that cause week minded people to fallow the majority of what one scared person says. Look dude I am 130lb female Any day of the week I would walk that neighborhood in the middle of the night and not blink twice any time of day for that matter.
Any who funny post but you have not got a leg to stand on when it comes to knowing what you are talking about :)Posted 2 years ago # -
agtw31
columbus
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i have to disagree with the slumlords not being the problem on the west side.
it's a plain fact,when you combine cheap rent with a sorry ass property owner,you get a shitty neighborhood made to order.
my condo complex is on the far northwest side of town.
99% them are rentals and rental rates vary from $850 all the way down to $600.
you can tell the ones that have cheap rent,the junk cars and old tv's and mattresses in the back yard give it away.
i call 311 regularly every week to have their junk hauled away,and call the property owners to let them know about the junk cars with 5 year old tags and flats.
these property owners don't give a shit,as long as people pay their rent.
the guy i rent from is livid,he calls these folks "lowlife west siders".of course he is wrong.
when i go to the mailbox,sometimes i bs with the neighbors.most of these lazyasses with trash in their yards aren't even from Columbus,they are from Knox and Pickaway counties.
go figure.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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To make this more productive than countering perceptions:
Has there been any thought of creating an SID? I know Community Crime Patrol had to cut back on there efforts with budget cuts and CPD is dealing with their issues. Creating an SID might be one way to begin countering the known issues.
I know of the Hilltop Business Association. Is there a specific group for the West Broad corridor? Might be something for Westgate and Highland West to partner on. Could be a way for current business owners and prospective owners to come together, talk about the issues, network and build up the area.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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BTW, I would like to put together a bike tour of the Westside for May's bike month celebration. The goal would be to put together a 2-3 hour ride with stops in the various neighbors to give local leaders an opportunity to highlight the changes in the area. If anyone has suggestions for stops or route ideas, send me a PM or see the thread on the Highland West website. I'll be in touch with the community leaders in the coming weeks.
Posted 2 years ago #
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