Right Now Downtown

CITY CENTER TRILOGY, PART THREE: PERFECT PEOPLE POWER

The park and the people rule.  That’s the very point of the Columbus Commons - it’s a place for common people to share common grounds.  The landscape provides a much-needed reality break found only in the great outdoors.

Sure, office life is productive, and virtual reality is fun.  But it’s our interactions with the natural world that feed the human soul.

That which will surround the park has a built-in, market-driven flexibility.  Plans for the perimeter include 400,000 square feet for offices, 70,000 square feet for retail, and 400 new residential spots.  Ultimately, those decisions will be shaped by human use patterns: the park and the people rule.

Some things are certain.  The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (better known as CAPA) will be scheduling dynamic outdoor events for the Columbus Commons’ amphitheater.  Both concerts and events are in the works for spring 2011.

We know what we’ll bring to the park.  What will you bring?

http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons

CITY CENTER TRILOGY, PART TWO: FUTURE COMMONS GROUNDS

The “Phoenix from the Ashes” story is a little too familiar, but it’s eminently appropriate for Columbus Commons… from out of the rubble of a faded local hotspot arises a new star with the same spirit of a community gathering place.

The plans have been drawn, circulated and discussed.  It’s a six-acre park in the very heart of our city.  While it’s not unusual for a thriving city to host a park at its core, it is unusual to have a park sitting on top of a place-to-park.

Yes, the underground 950-space parking garage will remain in full operation during and after construction beneath the greenery.  Retaining convenient downtown parking is a priority – and it’s actually simplified the rest of the Columbus Commons design process.

What goes with a park that sits on underground parking?  The turf can’t support multi-level high-rise structure.  So, the grand lawn must then be designed for people and human activities.  An amphitheater is in the works and an event staging area too.

Welcoming walkways, trees, benches, chairs and tables will greet guests and the Commons grounds will eventually be lined with retail, office space and housing that supports those activities to create a true downtown neighborhood.

And in the spring of 2011, there’s the Phoenix from the ashes again.  Out of the wreckage of a deserted mall, a gathering place at the city’s center.

http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons 

CITY CENTER TRILOGY: PAST, FUTURE AND PERFECT TENSE

Has the passionate debate about the City Center come as a surprise?  It’s not a state monument; it’s not City Hall.  It’s not even a local hangout these days.

Surely no private property on the face of the planet has attracted as much attention.

It’s been an honor.

The pieces of the City Center fell into place almost exactly twenty years ago.  In the era of shop-til-ya-drop, nothing beat its joys of shopping in a sterile temperature-controlled environment.

People change, lifestyles change and (believe it or not) bricks and mortar can change too.  Before its demolition, City Center continued in its honorable journey, not as a mall, but as a temporary training ground for local heroes; city firefighters have trained to save lives inside.  The Fire Department’s Don Barlow explained the exercises,

“Of the training that was performed, approximately 500 firefighters attended from 34 engine companies, 32 medic vehicles, 15 ladder companies and five rescue vehicles…  Several steel and wood doors were forced and countless interior walls were breached to provide the valuable practice of life-saving entry and exit methods.”

There’s still more in store for the structure.  Demolition and salvage is the original recycling art.  The glass, the metal work – the mall’s parts will all be recycled and put to good use.  Even the concrete walls can be used as aggregate to build roads.

There is a unique dignity to a purposeful existence.  Thank you, City Center, for your past and future service.

http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/columbus-commons

Ohio could learn some land-use lessons from Vermont, where I recently returned from vacation.  Ohio’s laissez-faire policies lead to so much waste and sprawl.  For example, development along Rt. 256 cannibalized Brice Road and Hamilton Road.  Polaris Fashion Mall cannibalized Northland and City Center Malls.

Vermont has state-mandated land-use controls that encourage reuse of existing buildings, prevent over-development, and serve the public good.  The results are breathtaking.

Rutland, Vermont, population 17,292, has a thriving independent retail scene in its downtown, which is anchored by an in-line WalMart.  I kid you not.  WalMart is actually part of the downtown fabric.  Vermont had the audacity to establish statewide development rules for big box stores that help downtown areas.

Montpelier, population 7,495, has a downtown with five bookstores, 13 clothing stores, two hardware stores, five music stores, two cinemas, and scores of other well-stocked retail stores.  Tourism certainly helps support these downtown stores.  But without state land-use controls, Vermont would probably look like Tennessee.

Each week there is always a long line to sample the delicious breads of the Great Harvest Bread Company of Pickerington.

I sit across from the stand each week and vow to myself that I will resist the gorgeous baked goods, but always find myself in line trying a new amazing flavor.(UM HELLO jalapeno cheddar this week! YUMMY)

I talked to Keith Dobbs (father of owner Ashlee Dobbs) and he told me that he loves being at Pearl Market because of all of the positive energy. He enjoys the people and the vibe of the market. The market loves him right back and each week he is happily giving away goodness to the masses!

Go visit Keith and staff and help yourself to a sample of the amazing and nutritious offerings. Pick up a loaf to take home! It is amazing!

Visit the market or Great Harvest in person at:

801 Hill Rd. N (state Rte. 256)

Pickerington, Ohio 43147

614 920 0095

Tell em that the Market Maven sent ya!

Capital Crossroads Summer Programming: Pearl Market

The crown jewel of Capital Crossroads’ summer programming is the Pearl Market, which has graced Pearl Alley since 1991.  Capital Crossroads became involved with the Market in 2003, adding a merchant element to the already established farmers’ market.  The Market runs on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10:30 am – 2 pm, May through October.

Last year, Capital Crossroads hired a full-time Market Manager, Adam Schroeder, to focus on expanding the Market’s offerings and to help spur downtown retail by incubating small businesses as they start up.

“This year, we have nearly 90 vendors enrolled and a long waiting list, which is a good – and new – problem to have,” said Kacey Campbell, Promotions Coordinator for Capital Crossroads.

What sets Pearl Market apart from other farmers’ markets around the city is that all farmers are local Ohio farmers and required to sell only what they grow themselves.  This means that the produce is really farm fresh and in-season.  Capital Crossroads has been able to use this as a promotional tool, holding special Market Days for particular in-season items, including Strawberry Day in June, Sweet Corn Day in July,  Tomato Day in August and upcoming Apple Day.  On each of these special days, visitors can enjoy samples prepared by Market staff and a guest restaurant.  In addition, there was a special Kid’s Day held in early July, with face painting, art projects and other fun aimed at kids, and there will be a Buckeye Day held later this summer.

The merchant side of the Market continues to grow, with a wide range of offerings including arts, crafts, jewelry, toys, home goods and more.  Expansion in both produce vendors and merchants has necessitated expanding the booth spaces to Broad Street and Gay Street, giving the Market a presence on two main thoroughfares.  And there is talk of further expansion.

Pearl Market has also become a popular lunch destination, with several new food vendors providing the draw.  Si Senor’s Sandwiches and More and Nellie’s Samosas are two popular spots, and Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties - a favorite of Ellen DeGeneres – offers a delightful dessert option.  Nearby restaurants, such as El Arepazo and Ringside Cafe, also enjoy increased traffic on Market days – a Capital Crossroads’ goal.

Cleve Ricksecker, executive director of Capital Crossroads states the importance of the Market.  “There are three main reasons Capital Crossroads produces the Pearl Market.  It’s a downtown amenity for employees; it supports local businesses; and it’s a retail/business incubator for the participating vendors who want to grow their business.”

A second year Market vendor, Kyla Touris of Sweet Thing Gourmet, praises the Market and Capital Crossroads.  “What I love about Pearl Market – it combines my country side with my urban edge.  And I love the people who run the Market – Adam, Kacey, Tiffany and the rest of the crew are incredibly helpful and positive.  Really, it feels like a party!”

And well it should, so far this year staff estimates that 4,500 – 5,000 people walk through the Market each Tuesday and Friday.

A Special Thanks to our Friends of the Market for help make the Pearl Market possible:

Wolfe Associates

Bricker and Eckler

Kegler Brown Hill and Ritter

Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease

Chester Wilcox and Saxbe

John Gerlach and Company

GET SCHOOLED

The average age of downtown’s daytimers is about to drop, dramatically.

Columbus Downtown High School and Career Center will take off in a big way at the end of August.  Located at the corner of Fourth and Mound, the school is designed to hold up to eight hundred students:  brace yourself for masses of youthful exuberance.

The program made its debut last spring, right in the middle of the academic calendar.  Its classes are designed for eleventh and twelfth graders… ones with a solid sense of direction.  The center offers business courses, marketing courses, engineering, IT, cosmetology, culinary arts, ROTC, EMT training, and a host of other subjects.

So, the school’s curriculum offers a great, hands-on way to learn the three R’s (Remember?  Reading, wRiting and aRithmatic).  In fact, local public school students were instrumental in picking the name, logo and marketing material.

They’re already fitting right into the daily downtown work scene.

Our three-part guest blogger series concludes with thoughts from Lisa Defendiefer, Safety Coordinator, Downtown Special Improvement Districts.

I am consistently impressed with how much our social service community can do with so few resources.  This was reinforced at a recent meeting hosted by Capital Crossroads and the Discovery Special Improvement Districts, where social service providers and the Division of Police came together to discuss the current state of homelessness in Columbus.

Everyone noted an influx in the number of people who are homeless.  Faith Mission’s shelters have been at capacity most nights of the week this summer.   Friends of the Homeless and the Engagement Center at Maryhaven reported the same.  All of the providers indicated that the numbers are only going to increase.  Shelters are just beginning to see the fallout from the mortgage crisis.

Despite these challenges, shelters continue to focus their efforts on providing the best care they can for people in need.  However, I do wonder how much more they can stretch to accommodate the growing homeless population.  Unfortunately, at a time when the needs for supportive services are increasing, the funding sources for the service providers are not.  If people would donate the value of one cup of Starbuck’s coffee a week to a shelter, they would make a world of difference in the lives of people who are less fortunate.

The Dog Days of summer are well upon us.  By that, we mean it’s really hot outside.  The phrase actually dates back to ancient Roman times, when the summer heat arrived at the same time Sirius (Latin for Dog Star) made sunrise appearances in the sky.

Whatever the stars may say about the season, everyday is a Dog Day in Downtown Columbus…

1.  We’re home to Lots to Wag About (405 E. Mound St.).  Owner Marcie Radell is a vet tech, and she’s got plenty of advice for how to keep cool:  “It’s not really a good idea to exercise dogs during the hottest time of the day.  They can overheat and the pavement can hurt the pads on their feet…  Dogs can get sunburns too!”  The store carries great tools to help manage the heat – like bandanas that stay chilled for six hours and cooling mattresses.

2.  But if you still want a hot-dog you may have heard that Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace is open (bad transition, we know).

3.  Heidi’s Homemade Pet Treats is a local bakery that uses certified organic ingredients in its pet treats (yes, for cats and horses too).  Found at the Pearl Market, the concoctions go over great with our four-legged pals; we just wish that the bakers would throw a bone to us peeps.

4.  If you are looking for a safe place to park a pet, you can try one of two great downtown doggy digs – The City Dog (510 E. Main Street) and Doggie Daycare Center (401 E. Mound Street).  Both offer pet spa options (ok, grooming), daycare (all day party for dogs) and sleepovers (ok, boarding).  Bonus points to The City Dog for offering 25% off services, merchandise and food in August and to Doggie Daycare Center for valet drop-off service.

5.  That lovely little spot at the corner of Fourth and Spring is reserved for hounds in the ‘hood.  It’s the Columbus Downtown Dog Park, a space designed to stretch those four legs year-round.

Part II of my guest blog series featuring Jerry Pierce, who shares his experience living on the streets for one month in downtown.

The economy is the worst it’s been in a long time.  Between 300 – 350 people in Columbus are homeless right now.  In the last three weeks, I’ve seen faces I have never seen before.  I’ve run into several two generation families in homeless camps and even one three generation family.  People keep asking me to help them get housing, treatment or bus passes.

We held a housing summit last week.  About thirty homeless people came and met with representatives from the Community Housing Network, Commons at Grant, YMCA and Southeast.  Several homeless individuals secured permanent housing right away.  Others could not because they lacked identification or encountered similar problems.

Columbus is a caring city, but people don’t know what to do to help homeless people in our city.  If people gave to agencies like those that participated in the homeless summit, we could get people off the street.

Jerry Pierce has been providing homeless outreach services in the Columbus community for 20 years.  On July 12, he began a thirty-day stay underneath the Short Street bridge in downtown Columbus, hoping that his actions will put a face on homelessness and better educate the general public about the issue.