xivinrah

MAN I'D LIKE TO SEE A HEADQUARTERS LIKE THAT IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS...

I sure wish Columbus had better ways of diversifying its economy. Too much of one thing (Ft. Benning) and half of Columbus will look like a ghost town if the federal government decides to shut it down. A sprawling ghost town at that.

JR is a national transit agency in Japan. It services all of Japan and not just Tokyo. I see it a bit differently as JR makes traveling throughout the nation much more efficient and effective, whereas Tokyo Metro makes traveling through Tokyo Metro much more efficiently. Not that they shouldn't offer cards that are accepted by both, but I wouldn't say that JR and Tokyo Metro serve the exact same purpose. But I could be wrong. I kind of figured there were two different transit systems serving San Francisco seeing as though the trolley system had always been extremely popular there and the BART is widely used. I wonder if there is a third transit system in the Bay Area as well... because San Jose is another major city close by.

Wow... you make really great points. You explain a lot of things I have been having a difficult time understanding. So basically if we were to factor out Fort Benning, Columbus city population numbers would be more like 140,000 versus nearly +/- 192,000? Columbus has spread out SO much over the years... its unbearably frustrating to always have to drive to the other side of town for everything.

Columbus should have looked more like Winston-Salem, NC. Both cities have almost exactly the same population numbers. Only difference... Winston-Salem looks and feels more urban. Definitely check out its downtown on Google Maps and do a street view on any of the downtown streets or the highway adjacent to it. Just thought I'd throw that into the mix. It's rather irritating and discouraging to see how slowly it's taking city leaders to catch on to the concepts of New Urbanism.

Cobb County is drawing up its own plans for a commuter rail for its County. Not heavy rail, but a light rail line that will begin in Kennesaw and terminate at the Cumberland Mall. The project is in its very early stages... simply planning, nothing in the way of funding is secured at the moment (I hope). If the project proposed is acted upon, then it will not be in operation until 2019. 11Alive.com {sodEmoji.|} Atlanta, GA {sodEmoji.|} Video - Cobb Commuter Rail In my opinion, I think it is a really really stupid idea. MARTA could easily service these areas and with much more efficiency, by creating a NW line that would merge into the main N/NE lines that are in existence. It would dramatically ease the congestion along the NW I-75/I-285 Corridor. But I guess that's just how Cobb County is...

I don't think you would want to hear my thoughts... Now, to most people... Columbus has made significant strides toward progression. However, in comparison to other southern cities it's size, it is barely keeping up. In 10 years... (from 1999 to 2009) all of these efforts the city has made to become "what progress has preserved" has only KEPT Columbus exactly the way it was 10 years ago. I assume that is what is implied by "what progress has preserved". Sure... there are a few more places to go, and while other places have grown, Columbus was just keeping up. That's how I look at these past 10 years. As for the next 10... I don't see too much of a difference. Columbus City Council (regardless of the mayor) and the people, are going to want to do everything that they can to keep things exactly the way they are. Only differences are that I do foresee a great deal of traffic problems... - Perhaps even a widening of I-185 all the way up to the northern city limits - 4 lines north and southbound... maybe even a complete make over of the J.R. Allen Parkway interchange. (its existing design is too dangerous to handle heavily congested vehicular traffic) - There will be new stores, maybe they may finally decide to fill up downtown... but not with the dynamic urban development that I would like to see. Just like everything else, the structures will be no more than two or three floors with huge lots and surface parking. Gridded street layouts that are poorly developed and underutilized. More in-town areas will also see suburban development... but not until the northern areas are fully occupied. - Macon Road will look like North Columbus. Lots of open space. Green space. Parking lots. Few buildings. New venues, but nothing really urban about it. - The Wynnton Road corridor "The Heart of Midtown" might look like Uptown Columbus... almost. - MAYBE... an extension of I-185... or an extension of J.R. Allen Parkway... but I wouldn't hold my breath. Not both... but one or the other. - Whitewater rafting and a Phenix City skyline... and while Columbus might still have the tallest buildings - Aflac and the Government Center, Phenix City will actually have a skyline.

I know! =) ...and I am hoping that gets built. Besides... I always thought something was missing in the North Midtown area (around Arts Center). It needs a good hotel. Plus, that would be a straight shot via MARTA to the Airport, Downtown, and Buckhead/Lenox.

Okay... so while I'm sitting here looking at all the little developments going up here and there based upon the findings in these forums, I stumbled upon an in-depth analysis of the redevelopment plans for Fort McPherson. I believe that this will be much needed growth and redevelopment catalyst for South Atlanta city proper. Depending upon your connection speed, it might take some time to open up the pdf file - documents/3a.LandUse-v5-0-wCover.pdf'>documents/3a.LandUse-v5-0-wCover.pdf For more information check out -

No wonder I haven't seen that massive tower being built yet... Besides, I always wondered where such a demand for office space was coming from seeing as though the economy is still shrinking. I just can't believe the magnitude of these foreclosures... the article doesn't just mention Allen Plaza, but also Greenbriar Mall, Mansion on Peachtree, and I wouldn't be surprised to know if whether or not parts of the Streets of Buckhead development will enter foreclosure as well.

The Phenixian high rise condominium that was set to be built just across the river in downtown Phenix City has ditched by the developer, Ronnie Gilley Properties. As of now the Phenix City Council has not been given the final word on whether or not the development of the condo will be pursued, but from what it seems and what has been reported by WTVM, it will not be built. I've tried going to the Ronnie Gilley Properties website, but viruses have tried to infiltrate my computer by doing so... so I advise others to exercise caution trying to visit there. It also sends a clear indication that their business might be in disarray. Even though this development is partially irrelevant to Columbus, it is an extremely horrible loss to both cities. This could have become the catalyst needed to spur the dynamic urban development that we so desire in both areas.

These links aren't showing up...

I am so proud of the new president and CSU for doing this... the school is doing an excellent job for pushing away from the sprawling layout of the campus into a more efficient semi-urban look. It'll be much more easier for people like me (who walk) to navigate the campus. I love the design of the building as well. It looks bigger than the original Lumpkin Center, by the way.

Thanks... and yes... I am at CSU. Right now I've not really decided on a major. I am absolutely horrible in math (I struggle a lot) so all of the things I am really interested in like architecture, urban planning and development... are out of the question. I am a very good writer though... and that is something that I am very passionate about. So, I suppose it'd have to be a field that is writing intensive. Concerning the economic viability of Columbus and working toward formulating the comprehensive plan for Columbus... I assumed an active role throughout much of the earlier months of 2008. I was 18 then... I had attended the forums, workshops... even took up an administrative assistant position at Midtown, Inc. However, I quickly became discouraged after I began to realize that none of my input really amounted to anything. Especially considering the simple fact that I am not a business owner, developer... someone who could be one of the catalysts propelling the change that I sought so adamantly for the city. I guess you could say that being a part of the forums has really become a way to bury myself into something I love. I really don't have friends or a life down here (and that's the reason why I really don't want to stay here); I spend all day looking watching CNN, writing poetry, homework/study, and looking up new developments coming to Atlanta and Columbus. Either way, it's still my hometown... and I would hope that maybe someday... it will be open to change. OH AND TO GET BACK ON TOPIC... Does anyone know what the designs will look like for the Baker Village Revitalization? What about the new construction going up across the Brewer School on Buena Vista Road?

I agree 100%... if they are supposed to be extending I-185 all the way to Florida, then this project will only make it harder to make that feasible. If it was Atlanta, something like this wouldn't even have the time of day. That whole highway would have been redirected and merged into 280. That intersection further down would have been reconfigured as well. Sadly, I've just accepted that Columbus will probably never grow/develop the way it should. I'm 19, and I have absolutely no intention in living in a place like this... (it's depressing in my opinion) - I'm here for school. But since it IS my hometown, I still hope that in time... a higher population and crazy sprawl will force it into absolutely unbearable traffic, car smog, and wasted resources -- quickly. It's sad... but to be honest, if it wasn't for all of these factors, Atlanta wouldn't be doing what it's doing now. So I guess this must be a Southern trend --- wait until the poor use of resources in sprawl is absolutely ridiculous before following the national trend -- going green and living efficiently in an urbanized environment. Besides... since Columbus is on a dead end interstate, it's not like we have a huge flow of traffic from people who are headed to and from the Florida panhandle. Ft. Benning is the largest employer, employing at least 35-40% of Columbus's workforce (I speculate), so what good would it do to have them reconfigure the alignment of the interstate, if most of the traffic is headed in the other direction?

New "Gateway Project" at Ft. Benning's entrance... http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=100...mp;nav=menu91_3 This is going to really make Columbus stand above the rest... a major monument, if I must say. There is nothing else like it in any other secondary/major city in the U.S.

Dollar Tree was always in that plaza before. I don't know when they decided to move out, but they did... and I suppose they are coming back? That makes them look very indecisive about settling in that location.

I think I've seen a detailed layout of the proposed development. I wasn't too impressed with it, but I do hope that it does serve more than just being a car dealership and hotel. In my opinion, they should have incorporated something with greater density... and the hotel is too small (just 2 stories). I have really taken a liking to the Staybridge Suites up there... and would have loved to see another 4-5 story hotel. Preferably 5-7 stories since that immediate area only has three or four hotels. If it's going to be surrounded by those hotels... it's also going to need to be competitive. I think it's time we got something like a Hyatt or Hilton for that area. Not the little "sub-versions" Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott. I mean a full blown 4 star Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott.

Now I do see much greater potential for that particular space... but considering how things are developed down here, I'd have to stand by your concerns for it. If the new development would embrace that same rich architecture and marble exterior with brick or light beige stone, and ascend more than 5 stories, then I am all for the change. Other than that I think it should remain in tact... but renovations are much more expensive to do for a building like that than to just build a new structure that meets the codes and standards needed for the proposed development. That's the reason why the old sears building was never converted into a multifamily complex.

Mmm mmm... if it's going to be downtown, then it's going to have to adhere to the building and facade codes that are designated for that area. This is a rather boring concept... it lacks the urban concept that we aspire for the city. Very anonymous, simple, and suburban.

That is the site for the new ymca, and the historic one closer to the Government Center (I was told) will be torn down.

I'm a student at CSU, it's pretty nice and it certainly looks like something you'd expect to see in Atlanta, but like all of the Atlanta cafes, bistros, etc... the food is very much overpriced. The only things worth buying are the deserts, (my personal favorite is the cinnamon twists -- warmed up), they have specialty bagels and such and those are good, but I wouldn't spend $7-$8 on a meal that would probably better constitute as a light lunch/snack (something to tide you over until the actual meal).

I'm a student at CSU, it's pretty nice and it certainly looks like something you'd expect to see in Atlanta, but like all of the Atlanta cafes, bistros, etc... the food is very much overpriced. The only things worth buying are the deserts, (my personal favorite is the cinnamon twists -- warmed up), they have specialty bagels and such and those are good, but I wouldn't spend $7-$8 on a meal that would probably better constitute as a light lunch/snack (something to tide you over until the actual meal).

Really? Because I've been downtown a lot lately... and it's just doesn't even come close to anything urban like in nature. Living in Atlanta and San Juan, Puerto Rico... it's almost like a sleepy kind of nightlife... lately it's been dead on some parts of Broadway (I'm guessing because of the season, weather, economic circumstances, etc). But I guess it's alright for starters. I was told that even Montgomery is better. I think the problem with the nightlife scene is the fact that Columbus only has two relatively small universities in the area. Where as Atlanta, Montgomery, and even Auburn have large colleges that creates the demand for multiple venues and a variety of entertainment. Plus, the landowners and older citizens in the Columbus call the shots on what is developed, and youth flight has become a really prevalent issue down here. So unless those two influential factions are willing to see the viability in allowing certain areas to foster venues for nightlife, then it will only stagnate. I think the only other variable capable of thwarting their decisions is the influx of citizens through the BRAC realignment. 30,000 troops are surely going to want more than what two strips are capable of giving them in terms of entertainment. So I do see Columbus boasting a VERY respectable nightlife scene in the future. But for the mean time... I personally think that it's just what it could be. But I might be wrong. I heard that summer of last year, Broadway was packed with people.

The design of the Mandarin Oriental is absolutely breathtaking! Oh gosh that is so beautiful... I would love to just live in it's vicinity. Seems like that whole area will be even more vibrant in appearance with that as an addition...