On Development: Nudge the market to get the city we need
While designed to enable small and large developers to meet the needs of a growing city, Zone-In stops short of encouraging some of Columbus’ development needs.
Brian's Latest Articles
CMHA housing pivot a byproduct of the times
The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority's recent decision to purchase a large downtown property nearly a decade after stepping back from that model emerged from being caught in a swirl of a growing need for affordable housing, changes in federal policies, and new ways of looking at housing needs.
On Development: Columbus is stuck with these doggone doglegs
City maps show that by 1872 Columbus had grown well beyond that core along the Broad and High axes. Instead of neat, four-corner intersections of cross streets, the city’s main thoroughfares were broken into dogleg intersections.
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.
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.