More arches could be coming back to Columbus

By: Walker

64 Comments

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  Columbusite February 20, 2008 12:57 am

  More arches great, but let’s make sure that streetcar is running first.
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  gramarye February 20, 2008 4:36 am

  The north border is Arcadia Avenue, the south border is fifth avenue, the East border is the railroad tracks and the west border is the Olentangy River.

  If those boundaries hold, this student group and their backers will have effectively defined the Weinland Park neighborhood out of existence. That’s not as incredible a proposition as it may sound to some people on this board because for many, that name doesn’t actually mean anything; most wouldn’t have heard of even the park and the elementary school, to say nothing of the neighborhood (and most parks don’t get the surrounding neighborhood named after them). Most OSU students just know the Weinland Park area as “the ghetto” and leave it at that. Nevertheless, actively incorporating it into the University District–which this program really would do, because visual effects like this really do have an impact, especially on people who aren’t full-time residents (which includes the overwhelming majority of both students and people passing through the campus area … parents, alumni, etc.).

  Campus Partners, whom this article says is actually going to be on the receiving end of this proposal, along with the city, probably actually isn’t going to be so opposed, and may in fact have had something like this planned itself. After all, that southeast corner of the proposed University District boundaries would ever so coincidentally be the Columbus Coated Fabrics site, which CP just acquired.
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  surber17 February 20, 2008 8:41 am

  Columbusite wrote More arches great, but let’s make sure that streetcar is running first.

  Not trying to start a big debate, and I know this doesn’t go with this thread, but streetcars do not really need wires in the air.
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  Likes Old Houses February 20, 2008 8:48 am

  Weiland Park has a very strong civic association, and their own plan on file with the city. I don’t see them just being rolled in to a “University District”. I attending one of their early meetings on the Coated fabrics site, and they are a strong group.
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  surber17 February 20, 2008 8:59 am

  gramarye wrote
  

  The north border is Arcadia Avenue, the south border is fifth avenue, the East border is the railroad tracks and the west border is the Olentangy River.

  If those boundaries hold, this student group and their backers will have effectively defined the Weinland Park neighborhood out of existence. That’s not as incredible a proposition as it may sound to some people on this board because for many, that name doesn’t actually mean anything; most wouldn’t have heard of even the park and the elementary school, to say nothing of the neighborhood (and most parks don’t get the surrounding neighborhood named after them). Most OSU students just know the Weinland Park area as “the ghetto” and leave it at that. Nevertheless, actively incorporating it into the University District–which this program really would do, because visual effects like this really do have an impact, especially on people who aren’t full-time residents (which includes the overwhelming majority of both students and people passing through the campus area … parents, alumni, etc.).

  Campus Partners, whom this article says is actually going to be on the receiving end of this proposal, along with the city, probably actually isn’t going to be so opposed, and may in fact have had something like this planned itself. After all, that southeast corner of the proposed University District boundaries would ever so coincidentally be the Columbus Coated Fabrics site, which CP just acquired.

  gramarye, I’ve read through this a couple times and I’m not sure what you’re getting at. You do or do not want this section included in the “University District”?
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  vestanpance February 20, 2008 9:01 am

  this sounds like a good idea to me.
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  lazyfish February 20, 2008 9:21 am

  [quote="gramarye"]
  

  The north border is Arcadia Avenue, the south border is fifth avenue, the East border is the railroad tracks and the west border is the Olentangy River.

  If those boundaries hold, this student group and their backers will have effectively defined the Weinland Park neighborhood out of existence.

  Weinland Park is a subset of the University District, just as Iuka Park, Old North Columbus and the Glen Echo area are subsets of the University District…sometimes I think all the “political” divisions within the city do more to isolate and insulate us froom our neighbors than to promote civic/neighborhood pride….btw these have been the limits of the University District for over 15 years, so I’m confused by the present concern….

  more arches???? why are we soooo preoccuppied by our image/identity in the neighborhoods….the arches are another gimmick, not anything reality based….how about we address the persistent issues of crime, poverty, despair, code violations, inadequate educational and employment opportunities in the neighborhoods and then we CAN feel good, instead of making empty feel good measures, like putting lipstick on a pig.
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  surber17 February 20, 2008 9:25 am

  vestanpance wrote this sounds like a good idea to me.

  I completely agree. I was just looking at this on Google Earth and this is a huge chunk of land. The university has a budget that almost noone can match, plus they would never do anything that would hurt their image. I see nothing but good things coming out of this.
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  Walker February 20, 2008 9:36 am

  lazyfish wrote how about we address the persistent issues of crime, poverty, despair, code violations, inadequate educational and employment opportunities in the neighborhoods and then we CAN feel good, instead of making empty feel good measures, like putting lipstick on a pig.

  Just because this article doesn’t mention those issues doesn’t mean they’re being ignored.
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  lazyfish February 20, 2008 9:37 am

  Columbusite wrote More arches great, but let’s make sure that streetcar is running first.

  Why? I still think the street car idea is a boondoogle waiting to happen…monorail, monorail, what ever city needs. Why do we have all these bright shiny capital projects out there, but we don’t have the money to fund basic operating expenses. We need to quit defining ourselves by our material goods and projects and seek an identity that is based on the quality and character of the inhabitants of the hoods. More stuff makes you seem insecure.
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  lazyfish February 20, 2008 9:46 am

  Walker wrote
  

  lazyfish wrote how about we address the persistent issues of crime, poverty, despair, code violations, inadequate educational and employment opportunities in the neighborhoods and then we CAN feel good, instead of making empty feel good measures, like putting lipstick on a pig.

  Just because this article doesn’t mention those issues doesn’t mean they’re being ignored.

  true, and the U is addressing these issues in Weinland Park, just look at the new Weinland Park Elementary School and the social services connected to it…..but the city is in another budget crisis, the police are scared to death of driving into Weinland Park, code enforcement will not go into the area, OSU has an awful crime problem, every year 1 or more students is murdered…and we think arches, street cars, and banners is going to help? hardly. Somewhere someone is making money, putting forward these scams of the taxpayers and neighbors….
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  cmhindependent February 20, 2008 10:06 am

  I included this article on my blog last night and I mentioned that the students are intending for the arches to help identify the boundaries of the campus. When you are trying to designate boundaries to people who are unfamiliar with the area you should use a symbol that is not already being used to distinguish itself i.e the Short North.

  I understand that Columbus used to be known as the Arch City but I think if you begin to introduce the arch all over Columbus you begin to dilute the uniqueness of the arch in the Short North which most people today equate it with. I like knowing that the arch designates just the Short North- other neighborhoods should think of other ways of making their areas unique.

  Also the arch is used by many other cities as its symbol including neighboring Gahanna. You can see the arch throughout its historic district near the new Creekside development and is going to be at their designated gateway entrances into the City.

  Just my two cents.
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  surber17 February 20, 2008 10:30 am

  lazyfish wrote
  

  Columbusite wrote More arches great, but let’s make sure that streetcar is running first.

  Why? I still think the street car idea is a boondoogle waiting to happen…monorail, monorail, what ever city needs. Why do we have all these bright shiny capital projects out there, but we don’t have the money to fund basic operating expenses. We need to quit defining ourselves by our material goods and projects and seek an identity that is based on the quality and character of the inhabitants of the hoods. More stuff makes you seem insecure.

  More amenities/publc transportation/public art = more reasons to move into areas. More people = more tax money. More tax money = more money for public shools/after school programs etc. (look at the article on the main page on vacant housing).

  Just because someone is bored doesn’t make them insecure. People want to live in a vibrant urban environment. Also, all of the government projects will be funded by a seperate bond being proposed. It will not cut funding from any current program.
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  Walker February 20, 2008 10:38 am

  lazyfish wrote Why? I still think the street car idea is a boondoogle waiting to happen…monorail, monorail, what ever city needs. Why do we have all these bright shiny capital projects out there, but we don’t have the money to fund basic operating expenses.

  We also don’t have the funds for cover the operating/maintenance expenses of our roadways.

  The arches are beautification, plain and simple. Which does contribute to quality of life. No one wants to live in an ugly city.

  Properly planned rail transit on the other hand can be a HUGE economic boon to a region and spur plenty of additional development surrounding the rail lines and beyond. If you’re able to see the big picture it makes a lot of sense to start installing new rail transit lines in Columbus.

  lazyfish wrote We need to quit defining ourselves by our material goods and projects and seek an identity that is based on the quality and character of the inhabitants of the hoods. More stuff makes you seem insecure.

  I think the current identity of Columbus is based on our people and our neighborhood. Everyone seems to take a lot of stock in that character, which is great.

  Does that mean we shouldn’t have “stuff”? Our city should have no unique aspects that go above the simplest utilitarian designs?

  The vast majority of the city budget is spent on safety. I don’t see any problem with spending a tiny bit on beautification projects.

  cmhindependent wrote When you are trying to designate boundaries to people who are unfamiliar with the area you should use a symbol that is not already being used to distinguish itself i.e the Short North.

  I understand that Columbus used to be known as the Arch City but I think if you begin to introduce the arch all over Columbus you begin to dilute the uniqueness of the arch in the Short North which most people today equate it with.

  The Short North didn’t invent the arch. So why should they have a monopoly on it? The Short North is also known as the “Arts” district. Does this mean other neighborhoods shouldn’t be allowed to showcase any art of any kind? :?
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  gramarye February 20, 2008 10:39 am

  surber17 wrote gramarye, I’ve read through this a couple times and I’m not sure what you’re getting at. You do or do not want this section included in the “University District”?

  I wasn’t advocating anything either way. I was just pointing out a possible angle–one that might become problematic–that I think the story ignored.

  Why problematic? Contrast:

  Likes Old Houses wrote Weiland Park has a very strong civic association, and their own plan on file with the city. I don’t see them just being rolled in to a “University District”. I attending one of their early meetings on the Coated fabrics site, and they are a strong group.

  with

  lazyfish wrote Weinland Park is a subset of the University District, just as Iuka Park, Old North Columbus and the Glen Echo area are subsets of the University District…sometimes I think all the “political” divisions within the city do more to isolate and insulate us froom our neighbors than to promote civic/neighborhood pride….btw these have been the limits of the University District for over 15 years, so I’m confused by the present concern….

  I don’t know what things were like in the area fifteen years ago; I was in sixth grade then. However, political identities are not constant, and political boundaries can be amorphous, too, especially when not specifically spelled out in law. Weinland Park is part of the University District? I think many residents of the “core” of the University District (say, along 13th west of Indianola) might be surprised to hear it, as might many non-student residents of the area southeast of 8th & High. The Kroger at 6th & High is not referred to as the “campus” Kroger.

  Tell me, do Iuka Park, Old North Columbus, and Glen Echo have their own neighborhood/civic associations? They might, honestly, since they do seem to proliferate in this town, but I’ve never heard of them.

  (One of my interests in political science was identity formation and dissolution, so this is something of an old academic interest for me, though one that has admittedly been dormant for some time.)

  If I had to pick a side, I think I’d be OK with subsuming Weinland Park into the University District and forgetting about it as an independent entity, but I don’t live there and my stake in the matter is comparably minimal. I have an interest in bringing more students closer to campus, though, rather than in far-flung apartment complexes in the suburbs that necessitate a lot of commuting (and, therefore, commuter parking lots and garages). That’s not exactly a life-or-death issue for me, though. My point is that, whatever source you’re getting these boundaries from, even if it’s an old public document, that document is more “old” than “public.” It doesn’t reflect the reality on the ground at the moment.

  Plans that don’t reflect reality tickle me the wrong way.
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  cmhindependent February 20, 2008 10:46 am

  Walker you are right that the SN doesn’t own the rights to the arch but it has become their default branding mark because they are the one’s that reintroduced the arch back to the city. One of the things I frequently read on this blog is that we should challenge ourselves to think of innovative and new ideas rather than constantly looking to other cities or internal neighborhoods for ideas to mimic. I think we should challenge the university to think of something unique to the university. Additionally I think one of the points is that is continually being overlooked is that the university’s primary aim is to clearly define its borders and if you have arches everywhere in the city then that will not exactly help their cause.
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  surber17 February 20, 2008 10:58 am

  I think I’m looking at this in a different way. I just look at it as campus expansion and I personally have no problem with that.
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  gramarye February 20, 2008 11:13 am

  cmhi:

  Assuming they were going to do this (and I’m not saying I’m completely on board with it, just adding perspective), I think one could get both consistency and variety with the “arch” motif, just by changing the shape, color, spacing, lighting, etc. of the arches. For example, I think people would notice if they were driving up High St. and the arches suddenly changed from black to scarlet & gray.
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  cmhindependent February 20, 2008 11:20 am

  I definitely thought that the University could provide a creative twist on the arch as you suggested but I still think that won’t clearly distinguish the boundaries of the university as much as they think it will. I think residents will get that the scarlet and grey arches designates the school but people from out of town won’t get the implicit meaning- they will just see more arches.

  I just think that we have become too accustomed with seeing something finally work (i.e. arches) and then wanting to put them around everywhere because we think it is the solve-all. I think our mindset should be “wow, the short north really came up with something creative and different, how can we set ourselves apart as well”.
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  rory February 20, 2008 11:34 am

  true, and the U is addressing these issues in Weinland Park, just look at the new Weinland Park Elementary School and the social services connected to it…..but the city is in another budget crisis, the police are scared to death of driving into Weinland Park, code enforcement will not go into the area, OSU has an awful crime problem, every year 1 or more students is murdered…and we think arches, street cars, and banners is going to help? hardly. Somewhere someone is making money, putting forward these scams of the taxpayers and neighbors….

  I think that’s an over reaction. The code enforcement officer is out on my street every week. There’s going to be a new substation on 11th etc. Sure it’s poor but it’s coming along.

  As for being part of campus I’d rather pass. It has a connotation of a mass of tipsy and transient students in a sea of nasty rental units. They keep all that north of 11th Avenue as far as I’m concerned. I’d rather see Weinland Park be thought of as the next Italian Village, not the next campus area.