Downtown Residence Inn construction starts after 18-month redesign delay

This is from today's Business First.
I didn't realize this building by the corner of Gay and High was slated to be a Residence Inn. That's great news for the vitality of downtown since it's more central than most downtown Columbus hotels and close to some downtown Columbus condominium projects.
Additionally, they're saving an historic building and the hotel itself will be urban-cool because of the architecture.


Suite hotel finally gets off ground

Business First of Columbus - June 23, 2006
by Brian R. Ball
Business First
A North Carolina hotel developer and operator has begun the long-delayed conversion of the old Buckeye Federal Savings and Loan building in Columbus into a Residence Inn by Marriott.
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co. and development partner Lubert Adler Real Estate Funds of Philadelphia expect to open the 126-suite hotel at 36-42 E. Gay St. by mid- to late-summer 2007.

Debra Adcock, Concord's vice president of operations in Ohio, said Columbus-based Ruscilli Construction Co. started the $23 million project June 19 after climbing development costs forced a redesign of the project over the last 18 months.
"The sheer complexity of redeveloping an 80-year-old building and increases in construction costs made us rethink and reinvent the design," Adcock said. "It took a significant amount of time to do that."
The partnership earlier completed demolition and removed asbestos from the building.
"The tough part is over," Adcock said. "Now we're into the fun."
The Residence Inn, she said, should complement the business Concord Hospitality does at the 149-room Courtyard by Marriott business-class hotel it has owned and operated at 35 W. Spring St. since 1994.
The Courtyard "is designed for business and leisure travelers staying for less than five nights ... whereas the Residence Inn is designed for customers staying five or more nights," Adcock said.
The Residence Inn has studio rooms, and one- and two-bedroom units.
The rooms include kitchens and living rooms.
"It's apartment-style living," Adcock said. Meeting the market
Construction of the Residence Inn starts two years after the former Adam's Mark on North Third Street was turned into a Renaissance Columbus, another Marriott-flag luxury hotel.
Real estate consultant Eric Belfrage said the addition of an all-suite hotel downtown will round out offerings for travelers.

"I think it's a fabulous addition to the market," said Belfrage, a lodging specialist with CB Richard Ellis Inc. "There's nothing like that downtown."

The Residence Inn will mark a 4 percent addition to the 3,151 hotel rooms downtown, meaning it should have little effect on center-city hotel occupancies, he said.
Belfrage said renovation of a historic building will add a cosmopolitan dimension to the downtown lodging market.

Adcock said a few details of the project remain in flux.
For instance, the size of the hotel's convenience store is not set, she said, and the developer has yet to secure a restaurant operator for an area off the lobby.
"The most difficult part of that is having the (restaurant operator) see the space," Adcock said. "They want to visualize the space before they commit to it, so we really need to get into construction."
The chief executive of the region's convention and visitors bureau said he welcomed the hotel's progress.
"We were a little concerned it might not move forward," said Experience Columbus CEO Paul Astleford.
He said the hotel, once complete, will add to the mix of hotels available downtown even if it's not close to the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
"I think it will get good play from convention groups because it's a good name and it's a good product," he said.

Stainless and Granite, blah blah blah

Is is just me or does everyone and their mother have stainless steel appliances and granite countertops these days. It's become so in tune with "the hot new look" that I think it's neither hot nor new.
Yes, I still love the look and Yes I do consider it somewhat timeless but perhaps there'll be a day when today's stainless steel becomes yesterday's avocado green.

What ever happened to quartz becoming the new granite? Isn't it non-porous, essentially maintenence-free and has great depth and clarity? Just once I'd like to see a Columbus home advertised with quartz, even cement or soapstone countertops and stainless.

Yes, I have granite in my kitchen and it needs some maintenance and could be stained by wine, acids or oils. As much as I love my granite, I'm just looking for the next thing in Columbus Ohio real estate ads. I do like seeing non-black granites used in kitchens since black is far and away the color granite of choice. It seems to class up a kitchen a little if it's a lighter color.

Fastest growing cities are suburban; big cities lose population

No surprise here. Big cities have been losing to smaller, blossoming suburbs and newer cities for years. Mostly for schools, services and organized green space. At the same time however, I thing it's fair to say that over the same last 5 years, central cities across the country have been seeing an increase in population and billions in upgrades. Here in Columbus, we are somewhat isolated from mass exodus due to the lack of blue collar jobs that could potentially be lost, the many colleges and universities, and the ease of life and cost of living here.

Some excerpts from today's AP story in the Daily Reporter . . . . .

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
Associated Press Writer
06/21/2006

WASHINGTON (AP) - Elk Grove, Calif., wasn't even incorporated six years ago, and now it's the fastest-growing city in America.Bigger, older cities are losing ground.The Sacramento suburb grew by 11.6 percent last year, to 112,000 people, typifying the nation's appetite for open spaces, affordable homes and suburban living.
Once a rural farming community, Elk Grove has given way to sprawling development, fueled by a short commute to Sacramento and local employers such as Apple Computer

Americans have been moving west and south for decades, and last year was no different. All but three of the 50 fastest-growing cities from 2004 to 2005 were in those regions of the country, with many in California and Florida, according to Census Bureau estimates Wednesday. The estimates were for cities with populations of 100,000 or more.

Elk Grove was followed in the top five by North Las Vegas, Nev.; Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Gilbert, Ariz., and Cape Coral, Fla.All five are suburban, and all have fewer than 200,000 residents."We have a pattern that is consistent across the country," said Hans Johnson, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California. "Families choose to move to areas where they can buy more housing for less money and often with better schools."

Americans also are moving away from many of the nation's biggest cities, though the reasons vary with the cities.People are following jobs out of struggling Midwestern cities. Others are leaving expensive Northeastern and Western cities in search of more affordable homes. And people are fleeing big cities everywhere in search of better schools.

New York remained the nation's largest city, with 8.1 million people. The city has added 135,000 people since 2000, but it lost 21,500 from 2004 to 2005, more than any other city.Detroit, with its struggling economy, has lost 65,000 people since 2000, the most of any city. Philadelphia, which has lost about 50,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, has lost 54,000 people during the same period.

On The Net:Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov

Victorian Village in the short North to get some good looking homes

The former parking lot never looked so good. I'm always amazed by how much can go in a tight spot. Urban Density is a good thing for Columbus.
excerpts from today's Daily Reporter article. . . . .

A new Plaza Properties development will bring 86 condominium residences to Victorian Village in the next year and a half.

The firm's latest undertaking, The Valerian in Victorian Village, will occupy a 1.7 acre site on Starr and Third avenues, on land that formerly was home to a parking lot used by the staff of the nearby Victorian Village Health Center.

Plaza acquired the property from Third Apollo Co. on Dec. 5, 2005.The Valerian will consist of four distinct housing segments.

-The Homes at The Valerian will feature five, three-story, two family duplexes. The 10 residences - 1,500-square feet each - all have two to three bedrooms and two-car garages with private entrances.

-The Crescent at The Valerian will be comprised of 30 two-bedroom residences fronting Starr and Third avenues. Six street-entry flats will measure 1,200-square feet each, 14 "crescent" flats and 10 top-level flats will be 1,075- to 1,600-square feet each. Eighteen units will have one bedroom, while the remainder will have two bedrooms.One parking space will be reserved for each of the street-entry and crescent flats, while the top-level flats each will have two spaces per unit.

-The Flats at The Valerian will consist of 30 common hall units, ranging in size from 825- to 1,120-square feet each. The building will have elevator service and each residence will have one parking space.The Carriage Houses at The Valerian, to be located behind the Homes, will consist of eight townhomes measuring 1,200-square feet each and eight flats at 900-square feet each. All the townhomes will have one-car garages with private entrances.

All the buildings are brick and stone, and several feature gables and large front porches - features that are popular in Victorian architecture, said Shane Bell, project manager at Architectural Alliance, The Valerian's architect of record.

A contractor for the project has not yet been chosen.The Valerian is expected to break ground in the fall, with construction completed in late 2007. All residences at The Valerian are expected to range in price from $180,000 to $375,000.

(picture curtesy of the Daily Reporter via artists rendering belonging to Plaza Properties.)

Section of Hamilton Rd. to get more lanes

Gahanna is still continuing to grow and this can't be a bad thing for this particular stretch of Hamilton.

Increasing traffic in Gahanna prompts call to expand road
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Jim Woods
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The last two-lane stretch of Hamilton Road in Gahanna will disappear around 2012 and could have either roundabouts or a median strip.
Gahanna City Council voted 6-0 last night to move forward with expanding Hamilton Road to four lanes between Clark State and Johnstown roads.

In 1997, residents were successful in persuading the Gahanna council not to widen their road.
But the city continued to grow and a recent traffic study found the traffic count rose from 15,100 vehicles daily in 1997 to 18,800 vehicles a day in 2004 . And there are more vehicles coming, with projections of 34,000 daily by 2032.

jwoods@dispatch.com

Groups hope idea of public art takes root and spreads

Speaking of Quality of Life issues while living in the big city of Columbus . . . .

Sculptures, murals enhance area’s image, backers say
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Debbie Gebolys
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Art in the Short North isn’t just for the galleries that line N. High Street.
Now, sculpture and murals are in a few nooks and crannies of the neighborhood and in little "pocket parks." But more public art could pop up soon in as many as 20 spots between Ohio State University and Downtown.

It’s the next stage in the upward transformation of neighborhoods including Victorian Village, Italian Village, Dennison Place and Harrison West. The effort instigated by a handful of residents and business owners is drawing backers like moths to a flame.

"Public art can give our city an identity," Wood told a recent Columbus Metropolitan Club luncheon audience. "We want to jump-start the whole city of Columbus."
Wood is one of the leaders of the Short North Neighborhood Foundation, a coalition of eight neighborhood groups that wants to raise $750,000 by 2008 for public art installations. One year into the campaign, they’ve passed the halfway mark with $390,000.

Rick Livingston, associate director of Ohio State University’s humanities institute, said he admires the grass-roots effort and will bring OSU’s backing to a public art summit this fall.
He hopes to draw as many as 80 participants from places including the Columbus College of Art and Design, the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Metropolitan Library and elsewhere. Among discussions will be whether the city should establish a public arts office, an idea that the Columbus City Council tabled most recently in 2003.

"I want to spread the word, beat the drum a little bit and get people excited about the possibilities," Livingston said. "I think it really is a rising tide and is an opportunity for people around the city to pull together and get things done."
dgebolys@dispatch.com

Dog park on tap for city; leash laws on pause

Tuesday, June 20, 2006
From today's Dispatch. It should be noted that their is a Downtown Dog owners association rallying city hall for a dog park downtown. The city is considering donating some land to the cause but nothing is in stone yet. Ask me about where to make a contribution.
Also, it should be noted that this is a real story about real city life. People like to have pets and they like to take their pets to parks, it is absolutely a quality of life issue and it's important for those considering moving to Columbus, Ohio as well as those moving within Columbus.

East Siders, you’ll soon have a fenced dog park in Big Walnut Park to let your pooch run free.
But next year, dog owners likely will have to leash their dogs in Columbus parks during certain times of the day.
On July 12, the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission will consider administrative rules that would address leash laws for the parks and require dog owners to clean up after their pets there. Those rules would go into effect once all of the city’s dog parks are open, which should be in about a year, said Wayne Roberts, recreation and parks executive director.

The City Council voted yesterday to spend $250,000 to contract with Brookside Lawn Services to install fences and signs at Big Walnut, and pave areas.
The first city dog park, 3 acres north of E. Livingston Avenue and east of Hamilton Road, should be open by September, Roberts said.

The city also is considering dog parks at Three Creeks Park on the South Side and Big Run Park on the West Side.
The Clintonville Area Commission in March recommended a dog park for Anheuser Busch Sports Park on the Northwest Side, but Roberts said nothing has been decided about that location.

Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

What can go in a purchase contract and what cannot?

A lender friend, Jeremiah Arn from First Place Bank, sent this:

What’s up with Realtors who want to put a $1,000 seller credit on the HUD for (something ridiculous)!?! I have a deal right now and (an) agent is ready to lose the deal rather than give up . . . (the ridiculous thing). Do they think we give loans for (something ridiculous), or painting, or appliances, or cars, or trailers, or….? I can understand wanting to have that in a contract because transactions outside closing or under the table aren’t enforcable. But if you want market rates (by securing a Fannie Mae-salable loan) you have to play by the rules. . . .

It can be surprising to find the vast array of things that find their way to the purchase contract. If it's in writing, has signatures and deadlines and specifics, then itenforceableble. But lenders don't want financidecisionsons about home decor, landscaping, and credits for this and credits for that taking up space on the final HUD statement. They are concerned with details of the property transaction and the fees associated with the lender and title companies. The buyer and seller want a nice clean final statement too -- it benefits everyone.

I'll try to get some definitive statement from a title company representative on what can and what cannot appear on a final statement.

City Hop coming up after Saturday's Condo Hop

City Hop

The Columbus Landmarks Foundation hosts the 7th annual City Hop on Saturday June 17th. Festivities kick off on the 16th with a Brewery District tour and kickoff party.
This year's City Hop will feature 19 stops, some essetially at one location, from condos for sale, to condos being built to apartments to a giant decorating store, Grayson's Living Ideas.

In addition, City Hop will feature "Lofty Ideas — a day-long series of short talks about how to create dynamic living spaces in old building lofts. Held in various City Hop tour stop locales and led by local artchitects, designers and other professionals. Topics include space design, urban gardening, storage and entertaining.

Cowtown Condos own monthly Condo Hop has visited most of these sites in the past and will visit others in the coming months. Don't be confused, the monthly condo hop is put on by me, Realtor Joe Peffer of Coldwell Banker King Thompson. If you haven't yet attended one and are interested in downtown columbus condos and dowtown columbus living, you should check us out the 2nd Saturday of Every month. As always, we leave cafe Brioso (corner of Gay and High) at 10 AM.

Who, then, is the Columbus Landmarks Foundation? -" Columbus Landmarks, the organization that produces City Hop, was founded in 1977 by a dedicated group of historic preservationists and local residents who were committed to preserving Columbus' architectural heritage. Since that time, Landmarks has played an integral role in educating the community, encouraging responsible public and private sector enhancement of historic areas and structures, and promoting the highest standards in the design and construction of new buildings and spaces. For more information, click here to get to our home page or call the Landmarks office at 614-221-0227. "

All this rain makes for a great time to see a home!

It must be time for the Memorial Tournament and the Columbus Arts Festival.
The weatherman predicts a gorgeous weekend though, so hang in there.

In the meantime, I should point out that looking at homes during a downpour (as I have the last couple days) is a great time to discover some basic truths. It's especially nice to take a look at basements and discover the truth to the seller's property disclosure statement that reads something like this: "During very heavy rains, there is a small trickle of water that runs to the drain from the southwest corner of the basement."

Of course you have to take them at face value if you see the home on a nice sunny day and only discover after you move in that the trickle is more like a torrent of water that moves your dryer three feet.


Take a look in the attic too. If you are especially interested in the home and access is available, take a look in the attic crawl space and look for any signs of water intrusion.