Right Now Downtown

SO BIG IT’S…

You know what’s big?  It’s big when an event changes the meaning of a word.  Consider the term “titanic.”  The word is classically defined as “huge and colossal.”  Most of us don’t think of “titanic” though, we think of THE Titanic:  huge, colossal and completely tragic.

So the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 was indeed a titanic event; it changed the connotations of a word.  Now in 2010, the Titanic is still making waves:  in the world of science.

The Titanic exhibition at COSI opened this weekend.  Things have changed since the exhibit’s first visit in 2005.  The retrospective arrived with 89 additional artifacts, 23 of which made their world debut at our local gig.

If the exhibit has changed, it should come as no surprise:  science itself is all about change.  Audiences can learn about submersibles and how they help us learn about artifacts under the sea.  COSI’s Christine Hurtubise explains the lesson in engineering and data collection.  “These machines are equipped with mechanical arms capable of scooping, grasping and recovering the artifacts that are then collected in sampling baskets or placed in lifting baskets.”

Local powerhouse Battelle is getting involved in the program too.  It’s renowned for its innovation in underwater exploration.

The Titanic changed a word, it changes science, and it’s changing audiences too.  Each guest travels through the exhibition carrying the name of a different passenger.  At the conclusion, the fate of that passenger is disclosed.  Hurtubise has seen the impact the entire experience makes.  “Visitors leave their thoughts and comments in a visitors’ book in that room and you can tell that they have really made a connection with the past.”

You can make the connection at COSI through September 6.

Several years ago, the national Sierra Club analyzed urban sprawl and ranked metropolitan areas from those with the biggest sprawl problem to those that spread out the least.  The study looked at population and land area.  If urban land area grew, but the population did not, the metro had a sprawl problem.

The Sierra Club ranked Dayton as the area with the worst sprawl in the U.S.  Dayton’s urban land mass grew tremendously and pushed into outlying counties, yet its population remained flat.  “Growth” was merely a shell game.

An article in the March 24 Columbus Dispatch, “I-75 corridor driving economic growth” came as a disappointment given all the talk about “smart” growth.  The Ohio Department of Transportation is investing $1.5 billion in roadway improvements between Cincinnati and Dayton with the express goal of generating “green field” development.

Sadly, the Dayton shell game will continue at an accelerating rate.  I-75 improvements will shift more jobs and residents from existing neighborhoods to areas with lower and less sustainable densities.  ODOT will create two new taxpayer burdens, one to pay for even more new infrastructure once the green fields are developed and a second to address the social problems where divestment occurs.

SWEET POTATO MAYO

Be careful what you ask for.  Remember the surveys last autumn?  The questionnaire told us that Downtown Columbus is filled with incredibly hungry people.  There were urgent requests and suggestions and DEMANDS for more things to eat in the city’s core.  More food: more-more-MORE.

Done.

The cavalry has arrived, and it’s armed with sweet potato mayonnaise.

Consider Guillermo Perez the first wave of relief for the insatiable masses.  He just opened Si Senor Latin Cafe for business weekdays at 6 E. Long Street.

Patrons of the Pearl Market already know Si Senor’s fare quite well.  The business was born as a lunch vendor in the summer marketplace. Although it’s now a full-fledged café (with tables and chairs), you’ll still find the old favorites on the menu . . . plus some new must-have winners.

Perez says, “The roasted pork sandwich is very popular… and so is the roasted turkey.”  Then he adds Si Senor’s roast beef to the list too.  It’s impossible to name just one great thing on the menu.  It’s filled with treats:  those meats are roasted in-house; the sandwiches feature an exclusive sweet potato mayo; and there’s an avocado salad that’s been earning Internet raves.

You won’t find this fare anyplace else but at Si Senor.  And you won’t find Si Senor anyplace else but Downtown Columbus.

The new wave of eateries has just begun.  Yes indeed.  Si Senor!

On a sunny day last week, I walked down to the Peanut  Shoppe to feed my peanut addiction.  After chatting with friends I encountered on the way to and from my peanut dealer, I walked back to my office on the sunny side of Broad Street.  As I crossed Third Street, I heard an amazing sound.  It was the bells of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Some churches play recorded muzak.  Not Trinity.  Trinity has a system for striking real bells and creating a very exotic sound.  Among other songs, I listened to “Abide By Thee,” one of the great hymns of all time.

As I stood on the sidewalk, awestruck by this audio treat, I began to observe people as they walked along the sidewalk.  To a person, they seemed happy and relaxed.  The moment had intense charm and everyone seemed to feel whether or not they actively listened to the bells.

For ten minutes, I witnessed Trinity Church envelop Capitol Square with a lullaby.  And for ten minutes, I felt grateful to work downtown and to Trinity Episcopal Church for being a part of the downtown community.

INTERVIEW WITH A LEPRECHAUN

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re proud to bring you an interview with a real live leprechaun.

Stop smirking.   This isn’t some delusional loon.  This isn’t someone who takes those silly Facebook games too seriously.  This is Brian Byrne.  He’s not just a leprechaun; he’s the son of a leprechaun too.

This story starts back in the 1970’s in the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  A man named Murt Byrne decided to dress up like a leprechaun for the march.  His son Brian tells the story, “All it took was one parade and it characterized my dad from then on.  I joined up with him in 1977 when I was five years old.  I remember how I mimicked everything he did as I followed a couple steps behind through the streets of downtown.”

Nothing gold can stay, even for leprechauns.

“As years went by, especially during adolescence, I did not think it was so cool.”  He continues, “My dad developed mouth cancer in 1988, but he never missed a step.  In 1994, my dad did march – but not as the leprechaun; he let three of his sons pay him tribute and we marched as leprechauns.  In 1995 my father passed away, and I took on the full role of leprechaun.  I have deep pride in the title I have.  There is not a moment when I am marching in the parade that I don’t think of the Old Man.”

Although Byrne is proud to fill his father’s shoes, he’s acquired a new costume.  The original was good at first… “Until one year at Broad and High: I did my standard leprechaun stance, when me knickers ripped right where you-know-where.”

Brian Byrne’s ma-in-law crafted the new suit, and two more for his young sons.  It’s a beautiful downtown tradition, for the Byrne family and for all of us.  As the man-in-green comments, “It automatically prompts the Irish spirit of good will, faith and humor that is in each and every one of us, regardless of ethnic background.”

St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Columbus: it’s something we can all celebrate.  This Wednesday and every year.

A national clothing chain, National Jean Company, is about to open a store in the Short North.  Along with American Apparel, the Short North will soon house two national chain clothing stores.

The arrival of chain apparel is a sure sign of maturity for any retail district.  Chain stores avoid risky locations and only enter proven consumer markets.  Apparently, the Short North has hit the corporate radar screen.

Whether this development is good or bad generates considerable debate in a place like the Short North.  Some people worry that national chains will increase rents and drive independent stores from the neighborhood.  Chain retail is equated to homogenization.

I subscribe to another line of thought: that chain stores serve as an anchor and improve the performance of their independent neighbors.  I cannot imagine a time when the Short North will not have unique local stores, and I enjoy seeing a mix of chains and independents.

The Short North is probably no longer a place where retail pioneers can afford to set up shop.  Luckily, Columbus has many other promising urban streets that are begging for attention.

So often, it seems like politicians and civic leaders don’t listen to us.  They don’t take into account the opinions of everyday folks as they plan for our future.  When it comes to the future of Downtown Columbus, they are listening.  As the City of Columbus and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporations plunge into developing the 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan, they want to know what you think.  This is your chance to share your vision for Downtown Columbus!

The first of three public meetings facilitated by MSI Design was held on March 2.  The meetings are designed to gather input from the public regarding an array of topics.  The first meeting covered Planning Framework, Planning Areas and Advancing Downtown.  You can view a recap of the meeting at downtowncolumbus.com.  If you missed the meeting, don’t worry; your opinion still counts!  Just click on the survey buttons next to each topic recap and share your thoughts there.  All surveys must be completed by March 19.

MSI Design will use the information gathered at both the town hall meeting and through the online survey to plan a presentation for the next meeting, which is scheduled for April 15 from 6 - 8 p.m. in the 4th floor ballroom of the Columbus State Conference Center at 315 Cleveland Avenue.  Mark your calendars now.

The next town hall is from 6 pm – 8 pm on Thursday, April 15.  It is in the 4^th floor ballroom of the Columbus State Conference Center at 315 Cleveland Avenue.

Once the public meetings have concluded, the 2010 Downtown Strategic Plan will be finalized, culminating in the City Council Adoption Process.  Building on the successful 2002 Strategic Business Plan for Downtown Columbus, the Plan will advance the long-term framework for downtown, identify catalysts for continued growth, recommend new policies and provide a firm strategy of implementation.

If you have further questions, you can email eyablonsky@downtowncolumbus.com.

THE REAL DIVINE MS. M

Meet Melissa Fast.  She’s officially on board at Capital Crossroads SID as Marketing Director.

Officially, she started last Monday.  Unofficially, she’s been supporting the downtown community for years.

As a local patron of the businesses, restaurants and arts scene, the new director has long celebrated the city’s core as its crowning glory.  She says, “I want to help promote the fact that it is a destination – whether it’s for a cup of coffee in the afternoon or a night of entertainment.”

She continues, “I really want to do my part to make sure that people embrace the fact that downtown is a cool place to be.  I think it’s important for the experience to be easy for people so they want to keep coming back.”  It’s everyone’s neighborhood.

Her favorite downtown finds have stories behind them – like the treasures from Pearl Market.  In fact, the Pearl Market itself is a great place to find a story.  The shops were just highlighted in The Columbus Dispatch… and the market caught the national spotlight when the Associated Press picked up the story for distribution.

Downtown Columbus is indeed a place with a great story.

If you are bored of Columbus, don’t move to Portland, Oregon.  Move to the Columbus High Five.  This stretch of the High Street corridor includes German Village, downtown, the Arena District, Short North and University District.

The sheer volume of great, urban experiences in this part of Columbus compares favorably to any other place in the U.S.  It has everything Boston has except urban rail, department stores and outrageously high housing costs.

Good public transit and city sidewalks will take you to 20 movie screens, a public market, Barnes & Noble and more than 200 high quality, independent retail stores.  It is home to an NHL arena, a AAA baseball park, historic theatres and one of the county’s most prestigious universities.

There are scores of nightclubs, beautiful city parks, charming neighborhoods, several world-class museums, great live music and 40 art galleries.  You can stay in one of 4,000 hotel rooms, quickly hail a taxicab and dine at 150 full-service restaurants.

The Columbus High Five is a magnet for highly educated people from throughout the world.  It is young, creative and entrepreneurial.  Best of all, it is in our backyard.

 The Arnold Sports Festival, like the man for whom it’s named, is big.  Big muscles.  Big numbers of visitors.  Big for Downtown Columbus, which means that Capital Crossroads SID must have a big response.

During The Arnold, the downtown population adds 17,000 athletes, 170,000 spectators and 700 exhibitors.   That’s twice as many athletes as the recent Winter Olympic Games.  Due to the volume of visitors, Capital Crossroads boosts its normal staffing levels with six additional Ambassadors and other staff members.  From Thursday, March 4 at 11 a.m. until Sunday, March 7 at 7 p.m., three to four staff members will be dedicated to the northeastern corridor of downtown around the convention center, along with the iCart kiosk, to ensure that someone is available to answer questions, provide safety escorts and keep the area clean.

In addition, a new pushcart – sort of a mini-iCart – will be deployed with an Ambassador at Broad and High for a few hours a time, loaded with pamphlets and other information.

“We really dedicate ourselves to this event,” explained Ryan Smith, Downtown Hospitality Coordinator.  “We are there to help people navigate around downtown, find great places to eat, provide directions, answer transportation questions and provide safety escorts.”

In addition, Capital Crossroads is in contact with hotels in and outside of downtown, to let them know that the SID is available to offer services and information, sort of like an additional concierge out on the street.

Statistics from 2009 show that through the four-day event, Capital Crossroads provided over 5,000 public assists, with 2,775 of those on the iCart alone.  The extra effort is well worth it.

For the second year, Capital Crossroads has partnered with The Arnold to print a hotel keycard map, which serves as a walking map, shuttle map and parking map for the event.  It also highlights the downtown wayfinding signs and the Capital Crossroads hotline number.

“We have gotten very positive feedback from the folks at The Arnold,” added Smith.  “They are very appreciative of what we do and believe we add real value to their event.”

Smith says that he and the rest of the staff enjoy the atmosphere and energy downtown during The Arnold weekend.  Plus they receive plenty of positive feedback from the visitors, including praise for the cleanliness of the city and the help that Capital Crossroads provides.

It’s important to note that this type of service is available during any event downtown; it’s what Capital Crossroads Ambassadors do.  But the size of The Arnold requires a bigger mobilization of people and effort.  When The Arnold is here, it’s all hands on deck.