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The redevelopment of the “UCT Block” in the Short North was originally announced back in February 2008, and after some recent updates and expansions, the proposal may be moving closer to reality tonight.
The Victorian and Italian Village Commissions will have a joint special meeting tonight at 6pm to review the latest version of the mixed-use proposal from The Pizzuti Companies. The development is primarily situated on land currently occupied by two surface parking lots along High Street between Russell Street and Poplar Avenue.
The development includes a 130-room 10-story boutique hotel located east of High Street, a 46,000 square-foot 6-story office building and 500-space 9-story parking garage, both located west of High Street, and ground-floor retail in both buildings facing High Street and Millay Alley.
A portion of the historic United Commercial Travelers (UCT) building will need to be demolished to make room for the parking garage required to accommodate on-site parking. The rest of the UCT Building will be preserved and will house a portion of the Pizzuti family art collection, which may be open to display to the public as a cultural asset to the neighborhood.
Additional renderings of the proposed development can be found below.
Wow, this is very exciting news that this project is going forward! I’m not sure how I feel about the architecture of the building yet. At first glance it’s kinda blocky.
I am interesting in what these two commissions report/decide. My guess is a big no to the current proposal. From what I see and hear, this isn’t what the plan is for the Short North. UDF cannot have gas pumps, why allow a multiple storied (more than 3-4) at the south entrance…??
I’ll get excited when they break ground on this project. Between the new convention hotel, this project, the dakota, the jackson, and whatever ibiza is going to be, the Short North is really starting to grow up…
I thinks it’s crazy to limit development 3-4 stories in that area. You already have Bollinger towers at 12 stories.
What does UDF and gas pumps have to do with a 10 story hotel? Also, I recall Ibiza was cleared the commission and it was also 10 stories (?).
From the sound of it, the smaller building (6) stories will be in Victorian Village Council and the larger (10) story building will be Italian Village Council. I believe those heights are within the current restrictions of each respective council.
It has to do with the master plan for the SN. 3-4 story building, retailer on the bottom, office/living on top. Does the hotel fit in the neigborhood? Do you lose the character with a modern building?
then please explain why Ibiza and the Jackson were approved.
WOW. AMAZING!
NickWarzy Says: I am interesting in what these two commissions report/decide. My guess is a big no to the current proposal. From what I see and hear, this isn’t what the plan is for the Short North. UDF cannot have gas pumps, why allow a multiple storied (more than 3-4) at the south entrance…??
What “plan” are you referring to for the Short North? Allowing gas pumps for a suburban-style gas station is much different than allowing for height variances for dense urban development.
The Victorian Village Commission greenlit both the Dakota and Jackson projects and Italian Village approved Ibiza (although it hasn’t happened). Personally, I’m willing to bet that these commissions will have some concessions that they want made with the Pizzuti project, but it will happen in some way, shape or form.
Maybe 3-4 stories was the plan years ago, but clearly the Short North has evolved into something totally different than what it was. The Short North is like our trendy, urban area so if this plan covers up two huge parking lots WHILE adding density and alley streetscaping, I’m all for it.
Plus, out of any future infill to happen in the SN these spots are the closest to downtown, so I think the height is very appropriate.
I’d like to be excited by this, but I’m (at best) underwhelmed by the images above. The architecture looks like a blend of the Gateway and the Convention Center. I’m not particularly fond of either of those to begin with, and the finished building somehow manages to look both too bland and too “ZOMG IT’S THE FUTURE” for my tastes.
I’m all for filling in the parking lots, I don’t mind a parking garage, and I’m not necessarily against tearing down part of the UCT building for something amazing, but this doesn’t feel amazing to me. I’m willing to be proven wrong (if it is built, I hope I am proven wrong), and I’m not going to start a campaign to fight this, but I can’t say I’m excited.
It kind of gives me the same vibe as the recently opened OSU Student Academic Services building on Lane Ave - http://www.osu.edu/map/building.php?area=northdorms&building=160
Wasn’t much of a fan of that building … hopefully they could step down the modern look of this hotel a couple of notches.
Why isn’t anyone upset that the plans call for tearing down half of the UCT building? This is a neighborhood with a commission whose job is to protect the historic integrity of the neighborhood. The discussion should not be about the height of the building or possible setbacks; it should be about tearing down a historic building. Further, that historic building has plenty of possible reuses, and its architecture contributes significantly to the environment around it on Park Street.
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssss….it’s about damn time. I’m all for the modern look of the building. I’m tired of almost every developer around here playing it safe. This city needs more modern/contemporary architecture. The height IS appropriate for that site….right next to downtown. The way I see it, the more density, the more people there are to frequent the businesses. More density creates more pedestrian traffic…….and a 9 story, 500 space parking garage?!? holy cow. The Short North is dying for more parking. More parking brings more business……..like it all around. Hope to hell this gets passed and underway ASAP.
Talcott, my thoughts exactly, except I do not mind gateway and what it replaced.
Is there any link I am missing that shows a map of this project in relation to city streets? I am having a hard time picturing this in my head.
@econ joe: the facade of the building looking over park street is going to be integrated into the building. it won’t be demolished. If you look at the UCT building, you can see a clear change in building materials. It is at that point that the building will be demolished. The fancy side looking at goodale will stay there.
@jpizzow: just because it is modern doesn’t make it good…some of the ugliest buildings we have were modern at their time. And the short north is only awesome because a lot of historic buildings weren’t destroyed to make way for modern stuff. Also, just saw a study that said density in itself isn’t necessarily going to make a good urban district…mixed uses will. So, following that…who cares if its tall? and really, its not like the parking garage is just going to suddenly make parking down there really easy.
@cbustransit: I’m not saying that only modern architecture is “good” architecture. I just think we need a little variety in our built environment. I know the study you’re referring to. I read it in Planetizen today. The buildings ARE mixed use. There isn’t that much space left within that area so I say use it to its fullest……high density, mixed use = more street vitality. The more people, especially tourists, walking the streets the better for the area businesses. As for the parking, one of the most important things needed for retail is parking, something the Short North needs badly. Not only will this parking be good for the existing businesses, but it will likey attract additional businesses to the area and help to fill up that first floor retail. I’m curious. What is your suggestion for parking or do you think the neighborhood has enough?
ya, i really do agree that a mix of architecture is important…so I guess i can’t disagree with you there
i really don’t think the short north desperately needs more parking…i’ve never turned away from gallery hop because i didn’t think i could find a space…and hey, there is always transit.
@Walker, can you post a link to the last image (the plan) in full size? its a bit hard to see exactly whats going on as is
Love. It. I think the architectural design is really beautiful. Could they push it more? Of course, but I would be thrilled to have this built.
I love the program of this project and dont even mind that they are knocking down part of that building. However, It seems really bulky and massive and the window detailing will look dated in about 30 seconds. I would much rather have a 3-4 story podium that better fits the neighborhood coupled with a pair of taller, narrower, glass-faced 10-15 story tower-type structures set back off the street. i think Jackson is fairly successful in pulling that off and could even be several stories taller without detracting from the pedestrian experience on high street and in VV/IV.