On Development: Economic models Spin-ning out of control
Thanks to JobsOhio, out-of-state companies such as Amazon, Veo and Spin can invest little in Columbus and pull a lot of profit out of it.
Brian's Latest Articles
On Development: Still waiting for a trolley
Construction of I-70 and I-71 in downtown Columbus and surrounding neighborhoods ripped the hearts out of neighborhoods, taking and destroying privately owned property and replacing those communities with tax-sucking superhighways.
On Development: The sad treatment of downtown Special Improvement Districts
The so-called Columbus Way – public/private partnerships – applies to developers and other large businesses. Partnering with community groups? Apparently, not so much.
On Development: Some rather pedestrian attempts at walkability
For walkability to be achieved, the concept must be embedded in the very framework of development.
On Development: Marion finds strength in collaboration
Before Marion Mayor Bill Collins took office early last year, he met with all department heads and asked about their priorities and wish lists, seeking projects that could be accomplished quickly to help the city build momentum. The plan appears to be working.
On Development: Local strategies, national threats
As with his denying of federal dollars for universities that don’t abide by his personal views, President Donald Trump shows a willingness, an eagerness, to stop local policies favored by local residents.
On Development: Little houses, big opportunities
The tiny-home movement has been around for a while – largely co-opted by wealthy faddists who can pay architects to design their treehouses and back-40 cabins. Vista Village is trying to reclaim the concept.
On Development: Private equity is inequitable
Mom-and-pop landlords own a steadily shrinking share of American apartments. The increased concentration of rentals in the hands of absentee private equity firms damages our communities.
On Development: The cloud is made of concrete
Things happen one by one by one over the months and years, and we don’t see it happening until we’re overwhelmed.
On Development: Another way of looking at Franklinton
It would be easy for Jim Sweeney and Blake Compton of Walnut Street Partners to level the dozen or so remaining worker houses on a short, narrow block of Walnut Street and put up a couple of typical, boxy “five-over-ones” with tax abatements. But that’s not their vision.