Author: godwin.61

Proxima Project – Blog 6

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Property 1: The Creative Living Center

Address: 1531 Perry St. Columbus, OH 43201

Source: Google Images

The Creative Living Center is an older build, with the purpose of providing people with affordable housing. The complex does not look aesthetically pleasing. However, it is better than what people normally think of when thinking about affordable housing. The complex does not match the surrounding architectural styles of the neighborhood. While the complex is constructed of the same brick the surrounding buildings are, the houses and the complex take on very different architectural styles. The scale is weird as well. The complex is one story and square shaped with a courtyard in the middle. The surrounding houses are 2 stories and the buildings are multiple stories. We would consider this to be an unattractive building due to the lack of updating done to the property. The landscaping seems to be maintained. The bushes are trimmed and the flower gardens have mulch in them. However, the backside of the property could use some updated landscaping. This could be as simple as weeding, trimming some trees, and putting in mulch. The property could also use new fencing, or a new coat of paint on them. The complex is located in a neighborhood across from the OSU medical complex on the south-western edge of campus. The complex is also located next to the Franklin County Coroner’s office. The closest grocery store is a Kroger on High Street. It is a 3 minute drive or a 15 minute walk. Also located on High Street are restaurants and stores. 

Secondary effects of the complex include crime and education as well as property values. Although when first looking at the crime rate around this are it seems sparse, as soon as the radius is set to .5 miles, the amount of crime rises extraordinary. There are a couple aggravated assault charges near the hospital but those seem isolated. Most of the crime happening is burglary, theft, and auto theft. For someone who wants to live in the city, this area is a much safer option since the crime is concentrated mostly towards the east. The houses surrounding the apartment complex go for a very low monthly rate (somewhere between $600-$800 per person per month). As one moves more south, the houses and apartments are kept up and expensive. The Harrison Apartments that are near it go for about $1,500 a month for a one bedroom apartment. These could be considered affordable housing for different income groups. It makes sense that the farther away the houses are from a college campus the more expensive and nicer they are. The location alone will raise cost since being near a campus isn’t desirable. Moving further away from campus and being in the city will cause rent to skyrocket. The elementary school closest to this building is Weinland Park Elementary School. On GreatSchools it showed that it was not a diverse or high testing school. It also said that all of the students are low income which poses the question of whether it is (1) safe or (2) a school where a kid can prosper academically.

Property 2: The Commons at Third

Address: 1280 Norton Ave. Columbus, OH 43212

Source: Google Images

The Commons at Third is a newly constructed affordable housing property. The entire area is new construction so it matches the surrounding aesthetics. The scale of the building is similar to those across the street. The buildings in that area are also similar in height. Landscaping is minimal, but looks typical of new development. Commons at Third is in the middle of other residential buildings. The developer did a good job with matching its surroundings and making the building desirable, and pleasing to look at.

Some secondary effects of the affordable housing unit are crime and property values of surrounding buildings. Crime seems to be very minimal in this area with theft being the most common, but still few. The crime tends to be more concentrated in the east where downtown starts. The property values around the affordable housing unit seem to remain consistent and only seem to fluctuate which are you are in. Housing values actually raise to the south of it where a lot of new construction is happening. The housing seems to have no effect on nearby property values. The schools are also excellent. Grandview public schools are rated from a seven out of ten all the way to a nine out of ten. The Commons at Third was a well done public housing projects. It blends into the neighborhood and does not bring any perceived negative connotations like crime and lower property values.

 

Sources:

-Zillow

-Google Images

-GreatSchools

Proxima Project Blog 2

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Part 1 (Kevin Lynch’s “image of a city”): 

i.) Middle of Woody Hayes Drive (By the Shoe)

This path runs on the North side of campus and provides a way to access major landmarks such as “the Shoe” and our very own Knowlton School.

ii. Lincoln and Morrill Towers

The towers provide a sense of an “edge” as that is the farthest west most undergraduate students travel during their time at OSU.

iii. The Shoe Area

The area around the shoe is a perfect example of a district as this area is home to St. John’s Arena, The Schottenstein Center, and of course, The Shoe.

iv. The Union

The Union makes the perfect node as it is the center of student affairs on campus. Everyone knows where the Union is, and can use it as a point of direction.

v. Thompson Statue

The statue of Thompson serves as a landmark as it is a clear way to tell you are in the oval, or more specifically, the Thompson Library.

Part 2 (emotions):

i. Stress

This roadway serves as a sign of stress as traffic can sometimes be unbearable. Not only that, but some drivers cannot drive, and this causes for stressful experiences.

ii. Pride

This Brutus statue housed inside the Union gives students and tourists a sense of school, and state, pride. When you get your picture with this Brutus, you know you have officially been to campus.

iii. Curiosity

The many paths of the Main (and south) ovals that seem to be scattered and thrown together help ensure that students can make their classes on time. But where exactly does every path go? How do you know you are on the fastest one? Is there a straight shot from Point A to Point B? Some of these questions remain unanswered.

iv. Amazement

We believe that bridges are cool. This includes these indoor “Sky walk” bridges too. You do not see these skywalks often, especially not ones made out of scarlet glass.

 

v. Happiness

Mandy, as well as a lot of students here, can associate at least one happy memory with the Blackwell Hotel on North Campus. A lot of students stay here during orientation, and a lot of family members stay here during visits or commencement.