​When traveling down high street, the corner of Lane Avenue and High street is a staple spot. With Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle, CVS and Wendy’s, this region is a heavily trafficked area. For some of us that are older with the abilities to have a car on campus, these places can be hard to visit. Only CVS provides public parking for customers visiting CVS. Everyone else must pay the high prices of the nearest garage or park off campus and walk. This can be frustrating when carrying large amounts of food and at certain times of the night even dangerous. This problem could be lessened with just the addition of more street parking.

Current condition:

​MCM’s proposal is the addition of street parking on either side of the street. On the east side of High St. (off-campus) there is already a lane designated for the Amazon delivery truck in front of the Amazon store to stop. This lane is in public use to traffic when the truck is not there. However, if the lane was permanently sectioned off to be used for street parking people can park in front of the stores they want to go to instead of a distance away.​

The west side of High St. (campus) offers another option to increase parking. There is already a sizeable sidewalk on the campus side of high street, if the sidewalks width were to be reduced, another lane could be implemented for parking. By adding a lane instead of taking one away, this plan should not affect the flow of traffic, just ease the citizens’ day.
​

These two plans are both feasible and easily attainable, but the usage of the Amazon delivery lane is the cheapest and easiest to implement. The only money spent would be on the addition of meters, and one spot would be blocked off so the Amazon truck can continue to park in front of the Amazon store. The only problem with this plan is that High St. would lose a lane which could affect the flow of traffic in a negative way.

Existing Conditions:

The problem site we selected is a piece of land housing two sand volleyball courts. These courts are located on West Woodruff Avenue between Curl Market and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church; it’s a large piece of land that is under-used and could be revitalized to improve its appearance and usability. Students rarely use the volleyball courts during the academic year (largely due to the overwhelming cold), and during fall semester, many students spend their weekends at the football games/parties cheering on the Buckeyes. Free time during the winter months is largely spent indoors. More importantly, there are two other sets of sand volleyball courts located within walking distance. The North Recreation Center and the RPAC both have a set of courts. Removal of the courts on Woodruff Avenue will not be an imposition to students. Improved planning and design could eliminate these problems by creating a weather-friendly, visually appealing space for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Our proposed changes will also improve the sight line for this stretch of road.

Plan A:

One option for revitalization is expanding the current Curl Market seating area and creating a large green space. Curl Market has some outdoor seating available, but it is not sufficient to accommodate the steady flow of students who frequent the dining location; some of the outdoor seating is not weather friendly which limits its usability (a limited number of tables have attached umbrellas to block out the sun and rain). This project would increase the number of seats available while maintaining continuity. The added seats will match the red chairs on Curl Market’s west patio. The green space perimeter will be walled in on the north and east sides. The use of a wall will improve the ambiance by blocking the unappealing view of the parking lot. The barrier will block the wind from both directions and will allow for a roof to be installed over the seating area. The interior of the walls can be comprised of decorative stone with shelving for plants. The patio area will have an upscale appearance, as well as, a natural casual atmosphere. The greenspace will have a row of grills for dorm residents to utilize and will be landscaped with decorative bushes. Students will be able to use the grassy areas surrounding the patio to lay out picnic blankets, study, play frisbee, or a host of other outdoor activities.

    Getting the funding needed for this patio space could be difficult because of the limited monetary return on investment for expensive equipment such as grills and roofing. The project may find an ally in the university itself as it seeks for a better Curl that is more attractive to students on dining plans or otherwise. The university may also find that the space that is so convenient to north campus dorms could boost demand for higher rate on-campus for students even beyond their sophomore year. With the space open on the walls that partially enclose the space funding could also be raised by selling the rights to what kind of art or greenery could be placed on those walls.

Plan B:

Another option for revitalization is transforming the space into a greenhouse complex. Ohio State has been pushing for a greener campus, and creating a greenhouse is a great way to engage students in environmental activism. There is a greenhouse on campus, but it is buried by the RPAC and medical facility. Using this prime location will put the environment at the center of campus life. The greenhouse can be equipped with solar panels to help power surrounding buildings. The attractive design of the greenhouse makes it a unique campus landmark for generations to come. Students and alumni can purchase plants to grow in the garden, giving an opportunity for a thoughtful graduation, birthday, or wedding gift. In addition to supporting an array of environmental efforts, the greenhouse will also have an event or exhibition space to host speakers, presentations, art, or other educational materials to encourage environmental consciousness. The greenhouse project would turn an underused space on campus into a hub for innovation and create a recognizable building that meets needs that the Union and Thompson Library can’t accommodate. 

Securing funding and implementing the greenhouse project is extremely feasible. The university is likely to support this revitalization plan because it coincides with the national movement that promotes growing fresh foods in neighborhood gardens. Low income residents tend to have less healthy diets due in part to their limited access to fresh foods. Some of the food grown in the greenhouse can be donated to local food banks. The greenhouse revitalization project benefits the environment and the larger campus community. There are a number of avenues to pursue in order to secure funding. The University may provide financial assistance given their past support for agricultural projects such as Com Til. There are an abundance of garden grants available at the private and public level that may be tapped for funds. Lastly, the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences may want to participate in the revitalization project. The College may be willing to donate materials, labor and/or financial support for the project. 

Current State: 

The exit/entrance for the Ohio Stater apartment complex is on High Street, which can cause traffic issues at times. The building itself is split in half by a parking garage and underneath the parking lot out front, there is a strip mall underneath the parking lot. It is difficult to see the stores from the street and there doesn’t seem to be enough parking out front for the number of stores at that location. Through improved planning and design, the building could provide storefronts on High Street, creating prime retail spaces with high visibility. Parking can be moved to the rear of the building, alleviating some of the traffic issues on High Street. 

Option 1: 

Shift the building up so that it touches High Street on all sides. Raise the bottom apartment units and create retail space that can be used by current tenants. This will increase visibility for those businesses currently located on the corner, underneath the parking lot. Move the parking lot behind the building to alleviate traffic problems in the area. This is the more expensive option of the two, but it would provide better spaces for tenants and it would fix the traffic problems of cars pulling into and out of the lot on High Street. 

Option 2:

Add a green space to the property instead of having a parking lot. A green space in this area would clean up the look of the building altogether without changing any of the current features of the building itself. In this option, only the parking lot outside would change. Allow shoppers to park in the parking garage located behind the building and create a green space in the current parking lot. Residents would be able to use this green space to walk their dogs or to just relax and enjoy the weather. 

Implementation/Feasibility: 

To raise money for this project we will first contact the owner of the property and explain to them the benefits of redesigning the lot. We will also reach out to investors in the area as well as local, state, and federal grants to help fund the rest of the project. Tenants in the retail space currently located could also help fund the project. As an incentive, they would get to choose where they want their new storefront once the project is completed. The area is zoned as an apartment building/commercial space so it would remain that way. Currently, the parking code of Columbus states that there must be one parking space for every 200 square feet of retail space. This parking code must be kept in mind when making any changes to the building. An update to this site would provide economic benefits to the property owner and businesses alike, increasing visibility, fixing traffic woes, and making the area more visually appealing.

JEB

Evan, Josh and Ben

The location of revitalization on N High Street we chose was from the corner of High Street and E Woodruff Ave. This area currently is home to a Dunkin Donuts and other small companies. Connected to these shops is a very large apartment complex called the Ohio Stater which houses many Ohio State students. While our group was inspecting this location we talked about the many issues that this plot of land had. A problem we discussed was that the complex was massive and was taking up a lot of unnecessary space. Another problem we found was that the area is just not in good shape. The pavement is very cracked and filled with potholes and has not been redone in years. Overall the area is an eye sore and revitalization will benefit not only the apartment complex but the shops that are connected.

The first idea for revitalization we came up with for this plot of land was to create a new and improved apartment and shopping complex like the ones you see further down the High Street. This apartment complex will house hundreds of off campus Ohio State students. This would add more off-campus housing options to OSU students and allow for new business to cash into the economy of the university area. The new building will be right up against High Street removing eliminating the problem with misuse of space. Students will be able to park in the existing parking garage that currently sits behind that complex. 

             Our second idea for the space was a public park. This would be freely accessible to anyone and would help to brighten the busy and bustling high street commercial area. This would also provide a place for all nearby residents of the apartment complex a place to rest and relax without having to make the long walk to the oval. Overall this could also have a positive effect on land value in the area and wouldn’t be that expensive to maintain. With OSU’s tradition of making large green spaces, it shouldn’t be hard to find investors to back the construction of such a park.

              It can probably be guessed that the space we selected, so close to campus, has an extremely high land value. We would need large investments to buy and then transform the lot. This would most likely be achieved by first asking the University for some sort of aid. Since our plan would be a public work and would benefit the campus. Secondly we could ask the city for grant money for the park, some sort of subsidy might exist for public recreation. Finally we would have to ask private investors like local apartment buildings, and see if they’d assist with the cost of construction. Since both of our plans benefit local businesses on high street they might be willing to sponsor us.

CRPLAN BLOG 3

Team Reimagined

Garrison, Brendan, Hayden and Sean

Some of the problems in which we discovered and discussed amongst our group was that there’s no bike lanes, the cross-walk signs are outdated, the sidewalks/streets are filled with trash, no place to take a break and sit, the Dunkin Donuts sign looks outdated and out of place, and the layout of the Dunkin Donuts, Joy Village, etc. is very awkward and doesn’t fit the location. The first solution we came up with was introducing a bike lane separated from the regular lane. Next we decided that the cross-walk signs could be updated by adding flashing lights to indicate people are crossing the street. The excessive trash problem would be resolved mostly by adding more trash/recycle cans along both sides of the street. Also, with nowhere to take a break and sit we planned on adding benches and different sorts of seating along both sides of the street. The last two problems can be resolved by changing the layout and updating the part of the block where Dunkin Donuts, Joy Village, etc. is located.

One of the largest issues that affects the High Street corridor between Lane Avenue and Woodruff Avenue is the lack of a dedicated bicycle lane. The addition of a dedicated bike lane on both the north and south bound sides of High Street would allow for better circulation of traffic, and would be a safer alternative than the current sharing of lanes. An example of a properly implemented dedicated bicycle lanes in Columbus, are the bike lanes on 4th Street and Summit Street pictured below. A proposed sketch of the bike lane is shown below (The bike lanes are shaded in white and yellow dotted lines).

Fourth Street bike lane shown on the right.

Another problem that could be addressed is the crosswalks located along High Street. In my experience as a pedestrian, it can be difficult to cross High Street using the crosswalks, especially when it becomes dark due to the low visibility. As a driver, I’ve found it difficult to see pedestrians waiting to cross the street, and a very simple and cost effective solution would be to add flashing lights to the crosswalk sign, that pedestrians could activate by pressing a button. This would make drivers aware that people are preparing to cross. This would make it safer for both oncoming drivers, and pedestrians crossing the street. 

Current crosswalk signage on High Street.

(The sketch above; the street light up close is surrounded by alert lights to tell the driver that students are on the walkways)

Implementing one of these two plans would be rather costly. Adding in a dedicated bike lane would benefit the hundreds of students who ride their bikes down High Street, and between Lane Avenue and Woodruff Avenue, however the cost of modifying the roads and sidewalks would be a concern not counting in the wave of traffic that would occur during construction. For this to happen, planners would have to interact with students who use a bike, scooter, skateboard, to get around on the sidewalks, and others who are in support of the proposal. If there’s enough support, the planners who then collect enough funds to open way for construction. The flashlight crosswalk plan would be a very effective strategy, since many more people use the crosswalks to cross roads around campus or off campus. This would bring in tons of support from typical OSU students and other regular pedestrians, and could easily bring in funds for the project. It would also be very cost effective, as you wouldn’t need to shut down significant parts of High Street to install the lights onto the crosswalk signs.

OUTLINE

•         Add bike lane to improve bicycle safety. Heavy traffic on High St. makes it unsafe for people on bikes.
•         Improve crosswalk signs by adding flashing lights to indicate people are crossing the street.
•         Add more trash cans and recycling bins on the OSU side of High St.
•         Add benches or seating options to both sides of the street.
•         Fix sign for Dunkin Donuts, Joy Village, etc.
•         Fix sidewalk cracks and breaks.
•         Wheelchair access/ramps from the front of the building to Dunkin Donuts, Joy Village, etc. and change layout/remodel.

Two of the main issues we saw were the lack of public parking and traffic congestion on High St. The problems associated with these previous conditions is that since there’s almost no public parking this forces visitors to park on the side streets in the neighborhoods, thus taking away available spots for residents. Another one was the traffic congestion on High St. from the side streets. The absence of traffic lights on the side streets to High St. cause the traffic to back up and can even cause more accidents due to drivers pulling straight out into traffic. These can easily be resolved by simple planning.

The first picture shows a solution to the lack of parking. We decided to build a mini parking garage on the CVS existing lot. We didn’t want to get rid of the CVS so the parking garage is built around and on top of it. Having buildings on top of one another isn’t something uncommon on High St. By building this space we can create more space for those who are just visiting. To ensure that people don’t take advantage of this new parking facility there would be a time limit, so that everyone will get a chance to park there, freeing up the space in the neighborhoods.

The second picture shows the new addition of traffic lights at congested intersections. This would help the flow of traffic by providing a safe way for cars to turn off the side roads and onto High St. This will also decrease the number of car accidents in these areas because cars just pull out into traffic on High St. By adding these lights it’ll make that area of congestion less of a hassle and safer for cars turning off E Woodruff Ave. and Frambes Ave.

In conclusion, to solve the E woodruff Ave and Frambes Ave pedestrian crosswalk issue on High St, a traffic light is needed at each intersection to control the traffic flow for pedestrians to cross safely without concerns of vehicular traffic. To get these traffic lights, we must have a group conduct a safety audit at the crosswalks. The group would consist of Ohio State staff members, students, and individuals that use these crosswalks on their daily path. They will be able to observe and report the fear and concern pedestrians have when crossing the street and give diverse opinions as to why these traffic lights are a necessity. When the observations are finished, the safety group will be able to report their findings to Columbus’ City Council. Showcasing these concerns from this diverse group of people will open City Councils eyes as to why it is important to fund this traffic issue. Hopefully, with the evidence provided, Columbus City Council comes to the conclusion to make these particular crosswalks a safe environment for those that cross on E Woodruff and E Frambes Ave on to High St.

High Street is a street with a high level of pedestrian traffic due to the college and dormitories on the west side of the street and the many commercial eateries on the right side of the street. Some problems with this area make the area seem unsafe and without character. There is no greenery on the east side of the street. With no connection to nature, that side of the street seems dull and dirty. For the most part, the biggest problems are on the east side of the street because along with no connection to nature, there is no connection to the area. Virtually all of the restaurants in this area of N. High Street are chain and can be found nearly anywhere in the country. There should be a draw to this area that makes it different from everywhere else just off campus. Local and family businesses benefit the area by making it more unique and also benefit the economy of the area as well; this area seems to have none of that. Lastly, the issue of safety needs to be addressed for pedestrians. This street has a high volume of car and pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians have a few crosswalks in the area, but they are not differentiated from the street and can be dangerous. 

One approach to make this area more lively would be to make it green and environmentally connected. In between Lane Ave. and Woodruff Ave., one side of North High Street is green and beautiful, while the other side is plain and dull. This unbalance is somewhat unappealing. The campus (west) side of the street is clean, organized, and inviting with green space. On that side of the street, we would add more natural colors- like flowering trees or a fountain. This would add a deeper connection to all of the environment’s natural features. The east side of the street is very different and has very few small trees and no grass. To fix this problem, we would add grass and trees to balance the area. Adding these natural features helps connect it with the other side of the street to make it look more unified and clean. The sidewalk may need widened in order to support the pedestrian flow of traffic along with adding the grass. Overall, by making both sides of the street green and uniform, the whole area will look cleaner and would brighten up the whole area.        

The left side of the street would benefit greatly from more green space and trees.  Here is a sketch I drew up to make the street more appealing.

Another approach to revitalize the area would be to take a more people-centered approach. This intersection is a fairly bleak area that does not live up to its full potential. This is not an intersection in which people would want to spend very much time. There are many small yet worthwhile efforts that could be made in order to change this. The first change that could be made would be to implement vibrant brick crosswalks in this area. This would make this intersection feel like an entire new area that stands out.Those driving in this area would go slower as the vibrant brick would catch their eye which in turn would make things safer for pedestrians. Parts of Columbus, specifically High Street, have art on buildings that add to the culture of the city. Something similar could be done on this specific intersection. Another way to promote people in this area would be to put in interesting benches- much like the one seen below. Along with these benches, street lights with similar features could be added to bring the area more depth and personality. Lastly, promoting the local businesses in the area may draw in a wider variety of people. Family or local businesses bring people to the area because it is one of the only places to get the specific good or service that they provide. It promotes a unique environment and possibly would stimulate that areas economy. These additions to this intersection would make this area have more cultural significance and become a more memorable part of High Street.

Implementing either of these two approaches could mean very high costs. The green approach would be a great effort to bring uniformity and a calmer atmosphere; however, the cost of expanding sidewalks could be high, as well as the high impact it may have on traffic. The green approach would be a good long-run plan because it would create a more walkable area where people want to spend time and money in the area. To make this happen, city planners would want to communicate with OSU students and others who use that strip everyday and see if there is a lot of support for the effort. If there is sufficient support, the city could allocate funds for the green approach on this part of high street. The people-centered approach would be much more expensive. Adding these brick pathways would be appealing to the area and make the street safer and more accessible to pedestrians. It would be feasible for the area because it is constantly packed with visitors to the university and perspective students. Using policy and incentives to bring in local businesses would benefit students and visitors greatly because there is a need for the culture local businesses provide. Ohio State and Columbus have so much to offer, and these approaches bring people together and promotes nature in our everyday lives. 

Problems:
When our group visited the plot of land along High Street between Lane Avenue and Woodruff Avenue, we were faced with two options, both of which would be prime locations with the congestion of High Street. We were able to pinpoint more issues with the east side of the road, which contains the Ohio Stater Apartment complex. The first problem that came up pertained to parking, particularly how it took up so much space that could have been better used for retail or residential space. Of course, the parking spaces would have to be moved because they would still be required in any scenario. One solution that was considered is underground parking. Near the statehouse in downtown Columbus, underground parking garages have efficiently cut down on congestion at the street level.

In our first option, we realized that we would need to keep a portion of the apartments because the demand for housing around the university is so high. Significantly decreasing the number of apartments on High Street would only increase the price of housing in the surrounding area. In a commercial space, shops and restaurants would reserve the left side of the building, the apartments the middle, and the study space the right. The parking lot would then be re-envisioned into a green space. This solution places merchants closer to their customers, while keeping living space away from the noise of High Street. The shops would get a lot of traffic from college students because there is not a mall within walking distance of campus, as well as a lot of exposure if the façade was done in glass. The only major store on High Street towards north campus is Target, but a department store does not provide the same type of variety that can be found in a mall with many shops.

In our second option, we realized that although the university does provide several study spaces including Thompson Library and the 18th street library there is not an easily accessible space for students who are living off campus to study. By building a green space filled with trees and grass, students are invited to escape the congestion of High Street and spend a few hours in the beauty of nature. The indoor study space would be built using glass, so the site could be used year-round. A green space would also be very appealing amid all the traffic and noise of High Street. Traveling north along High Street from the center of downtown Columbus, a commuter does not encounter any expansive grassy area until closer to Clintonville. By repurposing the Ohio Stater Apartment complex for a study and green space, both visitors and commuters alike would experience a peaceful feeling.
Recommendations:

Option one for this space is to divide the plan into different sections, making one a study space, one a small shopping center, and the last portion would be dedicated to the apartments. In this more commercial option, we’re focusing on repurposing the program of the space. We imagine that we’ll keep the building in the same layout and use mostly the same materials, however we want the study space to consist mostly of glass in order to receive natural sunlight.

Option two is our more natural option. Along the same lines of wanting a study space, we want a green space as well. Our thoughts are to take the current parking lot and turn it into an exterior green space with trees, benches, tables, and chairs. The interior of the building will serve solely as a study space. In order to maintain the sight and feel of a natural environment, as with the first option, we decided the surrounding exterior of the building will be glass, that way the building can receive natural lighting all year round. With the sunlight shining in and green space being in such close proximity, even during the most frigid days of the winter months, you’ll have the feel of being right there outside. To save space, we came up with the idea of relocating the parking underground, underneath the complex.

Implementation/Feasibility
Adoption:
For the two revitalization plans we came up with for the Ohio Stater Apartment complex and shops site both the use and occupation of the space are primarily meant to be of benefit to university district students, professionals, and surrounding university district residents and travelers. As mentioned above, the idea is to repurpose the programming of the space, working with existing elements of the site such as the structure of the building itself, while at the same time introducing new elements to make it multifunctional. Our focus is to build based off what contributions can be made to the space to maximize the utility derived from it, both in terms of access and monetary and nonmonetary benefit. The beauty and appeal of the multifunctional nature of the project is that profit can be generated across the space, meaning each space provides its own stream of revenue garnered from its utilization.

Public Policy:
There are several attributes of our project we must take into consideration with respect to public policy. Probably the most important of which in terms of its effect on the feasibility of both plans is the construction of the underground parking garage. Before the plans can go into effect they would need to be approved by local zoning and building authorities. The location of the Ohio Staters Apartment complex and shops building is in a particularly congested area, traffic and space wise. As provided in the above text, underground parking garages have been shown to provide an efficient remedy for street level congestion, hence the introduction of underground parking can actually produce a more favorable outcome than the existing lot. Second, because for the first option we are maintaining the middle section of the apartment complex as living space, it would also be necessary for us to take into consideration housing laws and assure that each unit of the building is up to code, especially in terms of maintaining the safety and welfare of the buildings occupants. Something else to take into consideration is that the property would need to be vacated for construction which calls into question how do we remedy the effect of the displacement of the building’s current residents? One solution to this is to provide an advanced notice to residents that the building will be undergoing renovation but also work some type of financial assistance for those who are displaced into the budget for the project to assist them with finding new homes.
Build:

Option one of our revitalization plan entails the tripartition of the Ohio Staters Apartment complex and shops building into a study space (right side of building), an adjoining apartment space, and a space dedicated to small shops and restaurants (left side of building), with an underground parking garage.

Option two of our revitalization plan of the Ohio Staters Apartment complex and shops building involves remodeling the building as a study space, relocating parking underground, and utilizing the existing parking lot as a green space.
For both options the goal is to work with as much of the existing structure of the building as we can, partially eliminating the time and financial burden of demolishing the site in its entirety and starting anew. However, in order to keep the existing site, while also pursuing the option to construct an underground parking garage, it will be a necessity for some type of support system to be developed to maintain the building and its existing foundation. For instance, take the development of Time Square’s Palace Theater as an example, a plan was created that called for the structure to be lifted 29 ft. from its original position. How? “Put simply, it will be jacked up. Put less simply, some of the current truss would be reinforced and then another part of it would be removed. A protective crate would be constructed around the theater, both above and below ground. Temporary shoring corner towers would also be put in place. Then beams would be inserted for the theater’s new platform before jacks using a telescopic hydraulic system are also inserted” (Bindelglass para 8). A similar plan of action could be developed so that demolition of the Ohio Staters Apartment complex and shops site is not necessary in order to take on the revitalization plans.

Finance:
There are several channels through which we could finance one of our revitalization plans.
• Partner w/ OSU, bond market, municipal bond
Because both plans are meant to benefit those within/ surrounding the university district, especially OSU students and professionals, it would be within the interests of the university to invest in one of the projects. A less traditional route but one that is becoming increasingly more utilized by universities to finance debt or investment projects is issuing bonds. According to Brian Barnett Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations at the University of Minnesota, “Issuing bonds is a way to finance infrastructure without taking too much risk… The university can maintain its cash reserves for operations, while spreading the cost of a capital project over time” (Katsomitros para. 3). The project would not just be of benefit to OSU, but the local economy all together as mentioned above both options have a means of generating their own stream of revenue. Ultimately either project serves to meet increased demands of living in a city and being a college student!

Works Cited:
Katsomitros, Alex.“The Emerging University Bonds Market.” World Finance, 2018 https://www.worldfinance.com/markets/the-emerging-university-bonds-market.
“Palace Theater To Be Lifted 29 Feet For Expanded Facilities And Retail.” New York YIMBY, 25 Nov. 2015, https://newyorkyimby.com/2015/11/palace-theater-to-be-lifted-29-feet-for-expanded-facilities-and-retail.html

Corner of E Woodruff Ave and High Street

Problem:

The first problem to arise with this corner is the overall appeal and inability to fit in with the existing characteristics of the neighborhood. With the revitalization and expansion of the dorms on north campus, the west side of high street look updated and revitalized while the east side hasn’t faced an update since the 1950s when the building was constructed. The pavement (whether it be the sidewalk or roads) are not flat and have many holes in them creating an unsafe environment for pedestrians and drivers. Safety should be a top priority when designing and revamping areas of a crowded city.

Recommendations:

The first recommendation we have for redoing this corner is making it a shopping and apartment area with greenery out front. The surrounding buildings follow a certain trend of storefronts on the bottom and also doubling as apartment complexes on top. The new building could be built higher to accommodate more people. Apartment complexes are beneficial for college students from OSU who don’t want a house, like the safety provided by a complex, and who are looking to get off campus.

The second idea for this corner is very similar to the first but with no greenery. The store fronts would be flush to the sidewalk. This would match the other buildings surrounding it and would allow for more apartments to be put to use. The apartments are an important feature because the building that used to stand there had apartments in it as well. Without the greenery the sidewalks would flow more with each store front flushed against the pavement.

Feasibility:

The first point to think of is the people already inhabiting that building. There are apartments that are full. For this reason we would need to check lease renewals and find new living arrangements for the people living in the apartments. Next we would have to get it cleared by the city for approval. The people need to agree with the new look that would be implemented. In order to pay for the new building, grants and loans would be taken. The rent from the new stores and new tenants would slowly amount to the cost of the building and it would essentially pay off itself. As for maintenance, those costs would be put into the rent of the stores and apartments to cover and issues that ensue within the building.

Photos of Existing Site:

Problems with the Site:

The first problem with the site is the eye-sore of a parking lot. The parking lot is the first thing you see when passing this area on the street and is not pleasing to look at. The look of this also makes people not want to live in the Ohio State Student Housing that is housed just behind this parking lot. On top of the unpleasing look, it is also hard to get in and out of due to the incline. The parking lot is raised so it makes using it potentially dangerous. The shape of this building leaves much to be desired as well. The building is a horseshoe shape that is unsymmetrical. The stores on one end stretch out in weird directions and some are placed under the parking lot. Due to the stores being underground, there is a small area where one can walk down the stairs. There are often people who smoke in this area and linger. This makes the customers at these stores and restaurants uncomfortable and weary of shopping there. These stores also have signs that do not match with one another. Although all the buildings are in the same parking lot, the signs seem wonky and ugly. Another unpleasing aspect of this site is the color. The surrounding buildings are a red brick that match the University dormitories across the street. However, this building is a yellow taupe that washes out the building. On top of all this, the sidewalks and streets are in desperate need of repair. They have cracks and potholes that could be dangerous for pedestrians and automobiles.

Recommendations for the site:

1st potential option: A messy parking lot in front of the building badly and negatively affects the outlook of the area. In order to solve this, we suggest that the parking lot can be placed underground, such as a B1 Floor. This can not only save the space in front of the building and use the underground space more efficiently, but also provide more opportunities to add additional facilities around the building. For example, if we push the building half-way forward, then a fountain or a more beautiful entrance can be built, which may attract more people to move into the apartment and further contribute economically aspect as well. At the same time, the backyard of the building can be built as a garden or a Gym for people who live there to relax and hangout. 

Sketch:

2nd potential option: The building could be demolished and then rebuilt closer to the street. The outside of the building would mimic the red brick of the surrounding buildings on campus and off. That way the area would look more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing. The top couple floors of the building can be used for the student housing that previously existed. The ground floor can offer commercial businesses like Dunkin’ and Joy’s Village Chinese Food. The parking can then be moved to the back of the building where part of the previous building existed.

Sketch:

Implementation and Feasibility:

1st potential option

Implementation: Provide off site temporary parking for the students that reside in the student housing. This leaves the parking lot open for upheaval and placement of underground parking structure. The underground parking would include an access doorway to the sunken shopping area on the corner of the lot. Once the parking structure is complete, providing temporary off site housing for the students while a demolition and rebuild of the main housing building is underway. The building will be moved farther forward on the lot, leaving enough room for a courtyard with benches and greenery for extra space for congregation. Once the housing is rebuilt, utilize the empty space behind the housing for a garden/grilling area or perhaps an indoor gym.

Feasibility: Finding off site parking and housing will be the greatest hurdle for this project. Parking is a bit easier, although it will create strain with the relationship between building project management and the students. Finding temporary housing for the students will be the biggest detriment to this project. Perhaps the renovations of the housing can be done in stages, so only sections of the Ohio Stater will be under construction. If there are enough empty units, there is the possibility of shifting students to other rooms and wings of the Ohio Stater in order to facilitate construction. The monetary funds needed to undergo this project could mostly come from the parent company that manages Ohio Stater to improve student experience and increase profitability of the site. Grants from OSU and maybe the city of Columbus are also possible in order to maintain quality housing for off-campus students.

2nd potential option

Implementation: The demolition of the sunken shopping area would be the first action needed. After the front area of the lot is leveled out, the main Ohio Stater building would need to be at least semi demolished and moved further forward on the lot. The first floor of the building would become the businesses that were originally on the sunken corner, making a pseudo shopping mall at the ground floor of the housing complex. An addition of one to two floors on top of the building to accommodate for the space taken by the businesses, and the attraction of more students wanting housing, would give more than enough room for growth. The area where the housing originally stood could be repurposed as the main parking lot. With parking in one whole area, tighter security and fencing can be implemented for peace of mind.

Feasibility: Shutting down the businesses would be the bigger issue with this option. The revenue lost due to the construction would put these businesses in the negative. It is possible that off-site temporary pop-up shops could be used, especially in considering the restaurants. Again, as with the first potential option, finding off-site housing during reconstruction for the Ohio Stater would present some issues. Off-site parking, while an issue, can be solved far easier. The rehousing of the students would be necessary in both options listed; another possibility stated above would be cyclical reconstruction and having students migrate to other open units.