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Next Wednesday, I’ll be moderating a luncheon panel discussion for the Columbus Metropolitan Club (you can buy tickets to attend here) on the topic of Downtown Housing. More specifically, we’ll be discussing the ups and downs that various developers have had, which projects are still in the works, and what the future may hold in the next few years. The panel includes:
- Michael DeAscentis of Lifestyle Communities who is currently building the 206-unit apartment and condo project in RiverSouth
- Jeff Edwards of The Edwards Companies, who is constructing Neighborhood Launch, the 300-unit condo development along Gay Street
- Kyle Katz of The Katz Interests, developer of the Buggyworks Residential Lofts in the Arena District
- Kevin Wood of M E Companies, who is the co-founder of the Downtown Residents’ Association of Columbus (DRAC)
So my question to all of you is this: What would you like to know about Downtown Housing from these panelists? I will do my best to work specific questions into the conversation that you all may have. Please try to keep them topical and reasonable. And thanks in advance for the input!
I would like to know what these developers are doing to coordinate with the City of Columbus and agencies like COTA about tying these projects together with better public transportation, including planned passenger rail in the 3-C? What thought are they giving to the impact of their projects beyond the front door? Keeping in mind that most of their potential buyers/renters are people who want to have access to more options than just a car.
Are any of the developers planning on having space set aside for a grocery store? With all of the conveniences of downtown living, it’s still a haul to the Kroger in the Brewery District or Victorian Village. Even if this isn’t the case, the perception remains until there is something visible and vital.
i’d of course like to hear their thoughts on the “art bridge”, the “COSI plains” and East Franklinton post-Riverside Bradley.
I wouldn’t mind some answers on why real estate is so skewed in downtown and how the developers are working to bring more affordable options and a greater diversity of individuals downtown.
Why it takes so long (years) to get projects underway and if there is anything they can do to streamline the process.
What are the timelines of some projects in the works? Anything taller than 3 stories?….and modern looking?…….and affordable?
Would they personally invest in property along a streetcar line? Would they consider that valueable in the city of Columbus? What can the city do better to promote stronger developments be it residential or commercial in their opinion?
I second noozer’s questions.
Why do they like to build these fake townhouse/rowhouses/a single building that looks like a bunch of little buildings? They look like shit and they’re not fooling anyone.
Why does it seem so difficult to build something in an abandoned asphalt covered lot? What makes it so expensive? There is obviously demand for downtown housing and very little to no demand for anything else on these many asphalt lots. If there were, that thing that was in demand would presumably be there already.
What impact will the continued developments just outside of downtown (The Jackson, The Ibiza, Harrison Park, Beck Place, Jeffery Place, etc) have on the demand for downtown development.
what Motorist said.
what Jpizzow said.
A couple issues to emphasize…
1) Rental housing. RiverSouth is going in with a large rental component. Is this a sign that downtown developers have finally gotten the hint that many people in their 20s are not interested in buying for various reasons (haven’t saved enough yet; are very mobile in their early careers; considering the urban lifestyle only for the short term, etc.)?
2) Downtown area developers often talk about young professionals and empty nesters as their market. In some ways, it seems silly that the latter group would want a whole bunch of neighbors their kids’ age. But you do see it in cities like Chicago, Philly, Seattle, etc. Not as much in Columbus, where even I feel old in my building. Why is the market skewed so young here?
I really like Noozer’s question “What thought are they giving to the impact of their projects beyond the front door?” but I think it would be a little unfair to ask them that without a representative from the City there too. While things like single use parking garages may solve a short term problem, it does nothing for us in the long term. Same could be said about 9 city blocks of single use residential. And these things wouldn’t be happening without someone from the City having a hand in it.
How can I come to listen to the panel?
and yes Taller buildings. can we add to the skyline, ie miranova. cool designs, something off the wall. something inspirational. mixed use? i think all the comments covered these things just wanted to stress the issue.
I just started working for a green architect who shares many of the same views and It would be awsome if we could set in on the discussion. so please let me know. !
2 questions: #1: Will there be cats allowed in the LC Annex? #2: I had someone from MORPC mention that even with all the stunning Riverfront improvements and development, there will still be a sewage smell after a heavy rainfall. I think I would be bummed to buy/rent something on the riverfront and not enjoy my balcony due to the smell.
columbusdreamer Says: How can I come to listen to the panel?
More info HERE. There is also an opportunity for audience Q&A at the end of the panel discussion. ;)
Thanks to everyone for all of the questions so far. I’ll have a better idea of timeframe and total number of questions in a few days. ;)
It would be nice to see the city and all of the developers band together and create a “one stop shop” type of site for all things having to do with projects (from inception to construction) I’m talking the works, right down to the sketch on the diner napkin. How many times do we wander what something is going to look like or when construction will start, etc. The city and developers could regularly, and I stress REGULARLY, update a site with renderings, dates, whatever. I know, there is DowntownColumbus.com, but it’s very narrow in its content. (They haven’t updated “progress reports” for a few years now) I want to know more as I’m sure many do. Many times, they want to get people excited about projects, but how can we get excited when half the time we don’t know what the hell is going on. Alot of insight could be received by us leaving comments about projects, voting on projects. After all, they are building these things for us. You want to know what type of product we want, well here it is, let me tell you. They could even hire some of us as freelance photographers to update a “construction pictures” portion of the site for all of the various projects.
When is NRI starting construction on their second apartment building in the AD? Is the Buggyworks still planning on having a tower as a third phase? What about the boutique hotel in the Short North? I could go on and on. Does anybody know the answers to these questions? Probably not. Hence the reason for the site. I don’t know about you, but it drives me nuts just wandering and guessing everyday about these things with no answers.
Aside from turning my several comments into questions, I’d like to know straight-up if Edwards and Lifestyles specifically requested two-way, calmed street conversions and if the city were to keep these streets one-way, would they have built? Or just in general, as developers building Downtown do they prefer car-oriented streets like any of the fast, wide one-ways or multi-modal oriented streets for pedestrians, cyclists, scooterists (is that the right term?), etc and to what degree is this factor important to them and in how many ways? I’d just like to hear this straight from the horse’s mouth. I also 2nd noozers question.
jpizzow, I like the public input idea and I think it would have helped some developers choose wiser locations Downtown instead of still having trouble flling in their buildings years after their project was completed. I have little doubt that is the reason why the progress reports ended. Too bad, since I’m curious about the number of residents and units compared to back then even though it has probably remained stagnant. When there’s no answer for development questions I take it as beng dead in the water.
I’d like the questions and suggestions regarding the integration of public transportation. I have a request if they’re going to do more ugly parking garages. Can they at least make them so they add some green space and value to the community like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christerw/289732681/
That’s so funny – I just snapped a photo of that same garage last week!