Local Entrepreneurial News
Lifestyle Communities Ltd. will spend $25 million to build 130 apartments and 76 condos on 2.8 acres along South Front Street between West Town and Rich streets.
The project will target a market of young, professional workers with condos selling for less than $200,000 on average and rent beginning at $750 a month.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio’s business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus. Click here to visit TheMetropreneur.com.
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It feels as if there is a “perfect storm” of things coming together to make urban living in Columbus more than just a pipe dream…..high energy/gas prices which make suburban living less desirable, a mayor who has made downtown a priority, an aging baby-boom generation looking to downsize, a Creative Class population who prefer living in walkable communities, a U.S. congress and state DOT that looks more favorably upon public transit and passenger rail than in the past, and of course the internets which gives those of us who care about viable, sustainable urban living a forum to collaborate.
Monday, Aug 11, 2008
By Denise Yost
Construction continues on a new condominium and apartment complex in downtown Columbus.
The City of Columbus hopes the development will revitalize the portion of downtown by attracting young professionals to live in the area.
NBC 4 spoke to some residents who don’t like the idea of living downtown and others who think it would be exciting.
“I’m really happy to see they’re replacing parking lots with something with a little more density and interest,” said Sam Peterson, a German Village resident.
“When I ride the bus, a lot of times, the issue is, where are you going to go for groceries,” said Audrey Stokes, a downtown Columbus worker.
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Hooray for Sam Peterson!
Can someone please tell Audrey Stokes (and NBC4 too) that there is a Kroger a half a mile south of this development. Apparently neither of them realize it’s there.
Do they do these types of compare/contrast interviews for suburban developments too? How silly.
I’ll never understand this whole grocery store myth.
I had hopes that NBC4′s move downtown would familiarize them with the city they cover, but I’m still waiting.
And not only that, by quoting her saying that, NBC4 is perpetuating they myth that there are no grocery stores in the area. A friend of my mom’s saw that story and her comment was that Audrey Stokes raised a good point.
I did my part to correct that misinformation and pointed out that the the Kroger was actually closer to the new development than the grocery store nearest said friend’s house.
Here is a map I made showing the groceries around the downtown “area”. A nice mix of farmer’s market, chain, ethnic, and discount stores are available.
Enjoy!
View Larger Map
There’s also grocery items at places like CVS and the Gas Stations downtown. And a few specialty shops like the Meat Packers Outlet.
Zeta’s needs some lovin’ too.
Can someone please tell Audrey Stokes (and NBC4 too) that there is a Kroger a half a mile south of this development. Apparently neither of them realize it’s there.
Do they do these types of compare/contrast interviews for suburban developments too? How silly.
I agree. WTF?
I don’t consider juck food at the convience gas store groceries…. but I guess Meat Packers outlet counts… if you are into that kind of thing.
I was watching Nightline last night. They were talking about how South LA had too many fast food joints and not enough grocery store in the area. They interviewed the owners of a new chain (or atleast new to me) called ‘Fresh and Easy’. From the sounds of it they are a smaller grocery store that is interested in finding underserved neighborhoods. They are also actively involved in the neighborhood they serve. They currently operate only out in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Under the ‘Where Are We’ you can see there locations and even more importantly, suggest a new location. I’m going to leave it up to someone else to suggest a location downtown because it has been a while since I have lived up there.
http://www.freshandeasy.com/
I don’t consider juck food at the convience gas store groceries…. but I guess Meat Packers outlet counts… if you are into that kind of thing.
You can get milk and bread at most convenience stores and gas stations. Sometimes eggs, cheese, and a small selection of canned/boxed dry goods as well.
These new apartments will be right around the corner from the CVS at State & High, which will work well in a pinch.
I had hopes that NBC4′s move downtown would familiarize them with the city they cover, but I’m still waiting.
Seriously, just lazy to not take the journalistic next and put an end to this myth.
They could have really made a good joke out of it – in Cincinnati, the news would go down to UC’s campus in the fall and interview freshman with their back to a building whose signage was in view of the camera. The interviewer would ask them “Where’s Cunningham Hall?” to which they’d invariably answer “I have no idea” despite standing right in front of it.
How about a CU video campaign to address these myths. Or a Jay Leno-esque street level thing where we interview clueless Columbusites about the lack of downtown groceries while standing in front of Kroger ;)
I like the way you think. :D
Construction photo from today:
:shock:
I can’t believe how quickly this has gotten thrown up! Impressive.
In all fairness, those two buildings are the only above-ground structures so far. The rest of the buildings still seem to be having their foundations laid.
Still… making progress. ;)
I can’t believe how quickly this has gotten thrown up! Impressive.
A speed which will only be matched by how fast they fall apart.
We’re Clevelandizing our downtown with all the wood-framed housing, which makes up a large portion of housing in urban neighborhoods there. If it’s anything like the Edwards development I’ll be happy. A rare thing, I know. Another thing, inexpensive/affordable housing means sacrificing higher quality building materials. Between this (around 200), Gay St. (around 200), and the Seneca (about 100) these three projects are going to contribute a nice chunk to the Downtown population, roughly an additional 10% of the current pop of 5,000.
I don’t like the cheap materials and lack of architecture either, but I don’t think you’re going to get enough people to buy at a higher price point right now.