COLUMBUS - Frankly Joseph, I don't give a Ton

MayDay · #1 Posted **Sep 3, 2015, 10:33 AM**

Made an overnight trip to visit friends in Columbus, would have enjoyed another day but it wasn't in the cards. We hopped over to the Short North, checked out the new Joseph hotel and then the Urban Scrawl festival in Franklinton:

Although I'm not a fan of expanding highways every other year, I'm happy to report I-71 is now three lanes in both directions. For years, there was always the dread of getting stuck behind two slowpoke side-by-side drivers but no more. This building has always been a "almost there!" landmark for me:

About eight miles north of downtown:

Our friends live in German Village but we had to stop, drop and roll off to dinner.

We were going to check out the Pizzuti Collection located at the new Joseph Hotel but we were too pressed for time. Even so, the public areas of the hotel have a nice display:

We had dinner at Guild House inside the Joseph - highly recommended:

The next thing we knew, it was an absolute torrential downpour - fortunately it passed quickly so we decided to keep our plan of checking out the Urban Scrawl festival.

This event reminded me of a grittier City Xpressionz, an aerosol art/dance festival that Cleveland Public Art (now LAND Studio) used to produce several years ago. I always enjoy the diverse crowds these events tend to draw. A lot of the artwork was covered by tarps due to the storm, but it got hopping again pretty quickly.

Start 'em young I guess!

The indoor component was held in this grungy building - added a cool vibe, imho:

As usual after a heavy storm, it was a beautiful clear evening - wish I had my tripod but oh well:

The next day we grabbed brunch at Milestone 229 on the Scioto River - very nice place in a very cool spot. I'd love to check it out again when the adjacent trail system is completed. En route, a few shots of the southern end of the CBD:

Views from the restaurant:

View of the restaurant:

Looks like the storm did some damage to the soon-to-be open trail along the Scioto River

Hope you enjoyed!

fflint · #2 Posted **Sep 3, 2015, 11:13 PM**

Nice pics of a truly underrated city.

Matthew · #3 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 12:19 AM**

I love seeing Columbus on the forum! I also enjoyed the artwork.

I want this on my wall! This (#16) is awesome: http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/...bus0815_38.jpg

Do you know if work started on the power plant adaptive reuse project, where the Olentangy & Scioto rivers meet?

mrnyc · #4 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 3:12 AM**

wow, nice to see whats up in columbus these days.

also bonus points for the 'we are tagging along with you' style of the thread. love that!

xzmattzx · #5 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 3:59 AM**

Nice pictures. Although I've never used I-71, it's good to hear of the update. I am waiting for the people responsible to widen the NY State Thruway, Pennsylvania Turnpike, and southern part of the NJ Turnpike to three lanes each way. It's hard to believe that Interstates connecting big metro areas are still two lanes each way.

LAsam · #6 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 4:46 PM**

Columbus has done a phenomenal job of modernizing the city since I first moved there in the mid 90's. Hats off to Mayor Coleman, or whoever is really responsible for all this. Everything from the Arena District, to the riverfront, to the Short North... all of it is so greatly improved. Meanwhile, Columbus has been able to preserve its true gems, Victorian Village and German Village. I love living in LA, but I definitely still have a soft spot for Columbus... nothing like walking around German Village on an autumn day when the leafs are changing colors and there is a chill in the air. Thanks MayDay for the walk down memory lane, and for always giving Urban Ohio the spotlight it deserves.

Austinlee · #7 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 5:02 PM**

Columbus is rust belt chic, even if it didn't have steel mills.

I love this guys train painting. So pretty.

Austinlee · #8 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 5:03 PM**

The Short North is a wonderful district; I also love Germantown and the Victorian Village. Downtown has huge potential but IMO has too many gaps currently. In our generation I think it will rise up with much more density and intensity.

This is maybe my favorite Columbus highrise. So modern and elegant.

gatt · #9 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 6:54 PM**

nice pics of a city i don't know much.

OhioGuy · #10 Posted **Sep 4, 2015, 6:57 PM**

Great to see Columbus! I was there in March, but sadly I won't make it back again until spring 2016.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAsam

Columbus has done a phenomenal job of modernizing the city since I first moved there in the mid 90's. Hats off to Mayor Coleman, or whoever is really responsible for all this. Everything from the Arena District, to the riverfront, to the Short North... all of it is so greatly improved. Meanwhile, Columbus has been able to preserve its true gems, Victorian Village and German Village. I love living in LA, but I definitely still have a soft spot for Columbus... nothing like walking around German Village on an autumn day when the leafs are changing colors and there is a chill in the air. Thanks MayDay for the walk down memory lane, and for always giving Urban Ohio the spotlight it deserves.

I agree. I did an autumn photo tour of the Short North/Victorian Village area several years after I'd relocated back to Columbus. It was great walking around the neighborhood among all of the beautiful colorful trees and older Victorian and brick houses.

plinko · #11 Posted **Sep 20, 2015, 7:21 AM**

Great space:

whatsthepoint13 · #12 Posted **Sep 24, 2015, 4:01 PM**

Man, I want to move after that. I've never given Columbus enough time to explore. Thanks for the great set!

dc_denizen · #13 Posted **Sep 25, 2015, 1:44 AM**

looks funky and affordable. great pics!

jdcamb · #14 Posted **Sep 25, 2015, 1:49 AM**

I love this one.... thanks

Wheelingman04 · #15 Posted **Sep 27, 2015, 5:04 AM**

Columbus is a very nice city. It is growing so much and getting more dense fast. I'm glad it is getting some attention on the forum. It gets overlooked too much especially for a city/metro its size.

Nightsky · #16 Posted **Oct 11, 2015, 8:47 PM**

Yes, we hear a lot more about Cleveland and Cincinnati despite they are smaller, and Columbus is the capital of Ohio. Nice pics!

mousquet · #17 Posted **Oct 12, 2015, 5:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fflint

Nice pics of a truly underrated city.

Well, they've got at least 3 pretty large towns sharing things in Ohio... I find it inspirational this way.

Sure it's somehow easier to get broader exposure when pretty much everything is centered on a single spot, but then are wealth, entertainments and problems fairly shared? Obviously not. Here in Paris, we've got tons of stuff, including some annoying problems that other towns in the country don't have. I always find it deeply unfair.

Also always like sleek recent buildings like this.

Would it be residential, that one would sell a unit for millions of dollars/euros over here...
Wish it was cheaper.

Oh, and yes...

Just from seeing that kind of wine racks, you know you'll share a fairly good meal.