In Search of a City: Taking in Manhattan
My 16-year-old daughter and I recently traveled to Manhattan to look at colleges. We stayed with my brother, who lives at 113th Street and Broadway. His local grocery store is Westside Market, located at 110th.
The store is stunning. Imagine walking down a sidewalk and seeing a 100-foot wall of produce. The wall of produce is the exterior of the store. Inside is an amazing assortment of high-quality food, stacked floor to ceiling and beautifully displayed.
The City offers so many exquisite pedestrian experiences. Sidewalk cafes are everywhere. There is a flower district in Manhattan where stores put so many plants on the sidewalk they create a jungle-like experience.
New York is a reminder of the potential that all cities have, including Columbus. It shows that density is good and has rewards. People love mixed-use living above or next to stores, jobs and institutions. Walking, biking and transit are preferred forms of transportation. The public realm is as important as the private realm.
Columbus will never be Manhattan. As more central Ohioans move into downtown and adjacent neighborhoods, however, they will see more and more rewards.
April 28th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Walking the streets of New York is an experience in and of itself–there are really no words to describe. My belief is that everyone at least once in their life needs to take the plunge, book a hotel on http://www.newyorkcityhotelroom.com, and visit the Big Apple. It’s an eye opening experience!