Market Exchange
Just blocks from the Capitol, the Market Exchange District is a vibrant downtown community with restaurants, banks, studios, commercial space and residences. Bounded by I-71 on the east, Cherry St. on the north, Grant Ave. on the west and I-70 on the south, it includes the 1 Market Exchange office project at 515 East Main and 4 Market Exchange, a 60,000-square-foot medical office building.
Although still in the development stage, new residential living options include Hartman Loft Condominiums and the proposed 421 East Main St. development by CitySpace.
Town Franklin
Best known for the East Town Historic District, the Town Franklin area, located in the southeast area of Downtown, includes a rich mix of residential and commercial. The area blends newly constructed residential living space with stately historic houses and mansions used as homes and offices.
The area also boasts the Main Library, Deaf School Park and Topiary Garden, Franklin University, Kelton House and Museum, and Grant Hospital. Grant Medical Center is currently replacing its old building which was imploded on May 9, 2004. The new structure is expected to be completed in 2006.
Residential housing is still available in the newly constructed Washington Rich Townhomes and The Terraces.
Uptown
Located in the heart of the central business district, the Uptown District _ the name its residents have begun using - is bounded by Lynn Alley and Town Street to the south, Nationwide Boulevard to the north, North Front Street to the west and Fourth Street to the east. It boasts historically handsome structures and is quickly becoming a hot residential neighborhood.
The name, Uptown, is representative of its atmosphere _ positive and upbeat. It includes Long Street Live, the Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus, Cherry Cole Art Center, World Gym, the developing Gay Street corridor and there's talk of a business association to promote the area.
There is an abundant supply of housing options in Uptown including the Lofts at 106, Sixty Spring Condos, The Brunson, 225-231 N. Fourth St, 8 on the Square, Carlyle's Watch, Lafayette Lofts and the newest development, CityView at 3rd.
Arena District
Now a household name, the popular Arena District has been known since its 2000 debut as the city's sports and entertainment hot spot and is home to a growing community of urban dwellers.
Situated just north of the heart of downtown (bounded by North High Street to the east, Neil Avenue to the west, Spring Street to the south and Vine Street to the north), this 75 acre mixed-use neighborhood features more than a dozen bars and restaurants, premier office space, exciting entertainment venues and about 500 residential units.
The district surrounds the Nationwide Arena, home to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Destroyers and hundreds of Major concerts and events each year. The area also boasts the Arena Grand Theatre, an eight-screen movie theatre that features balcony seating; the PromoWest Pavilion, an indoor/outdoor performance hall, the CoreComm Ice Haus, and the Arena District Athletic Club.
The recently opened Arena District Atheltic Club provides a 10,000 square foot fitness facility convenient to the neighborhoods office tenants and residents.
Arena District Television or ADTV, a giant outdoor video board, lights up the district with music videos, film shorts, Arena District information and advertising.
Residential for sale projects include EcleXtion Lofts, The Buggyworks, Burnham Square Condominiums scheduled to open winter 2005, and the proposed Arena Park Place.
Green space includes McFerson Commons, a three-acre park with the city's historic Union Station Arch, and North Bank Park, a new 12-acre city park, sits just south of the Arena District along the Scioto river.
RiverSouth District
The redevelopment of the RiverSouth District?located in the southwestern corner of Downtown? will include a renovated Lazarus building serving as a government and mixed use anchor; a street level plaza on a renovated, narrower Town Street; friendlier traffic patterns; rebuilt bridges; and connections to the new Scioto Mile park system and the new Franklin County Courthouse ?all in a dense, urban residential neighborhood.
At 25 acres, RiverSouth is bounded on the north by Town Street, on the south by Mound Street, on the west by Civic Center Drive and on the east by High Street.
A master plan for the redevelopment of this area is being developed. As part of the planning process Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) hosted a public meeting this spring. Nearly 100 people attended to offer ideas for RiverSouth. The master plan will be complete later this year.
Within RiverSouth, new units are still available in Miranova and Casto Communities is looking at developing 80 units in the Adler Building.
Lazarus Goes Green
One of the most visible components of RiverSouth is the former Lazarus building, that is owned and being redeveloped by CDDC.
The renovation of the Downtown Lazarus building is focusing on green technologies and will be a showpiece for Mayor Coleman's Get Green initiative.
Downtown's first green building will include harvesting rainwater for cooling, recycling up to 75% of the demolition debris, and growing plants on the roof to reduce summer heat build-up. The renovation will keep the building's historic character while using environmentally-friendly materials and techniques to give it new life.
Along with the economic benefits of reduced operating expenses ? up to 25% in energy costs alone?and the creation of more construction jobs, green buildings conserve energy, improve building air quality and benefit worker health which translates to higher productivity and less employee absenteeism.
"Green development makes good sense from a business and environmental perspective and will bring conservation, health and economic benefits," said Lawrence L. Fisher, President and CEO of CDDC. "If the debris in the Lazarus building had been put in landfills instead of being recycled it would have filled Ohio Stadium 30-40 feet deep."
The Lazarus project is also targeted to be the first renovated building in Franklin County to be LEED-certified. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a national designation that certifies a building is energy efficient, contains recycled materials, conserves resources and uses environmentally-friendly products.
Green Brings Jobs
Two tenants are lined up to occupy the space in the Lazarus building once renovations are complete. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is moving 1,000 employees Downtown and is planning to occupy nearly 300,000 SF of the million square foot building.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, a current tenant, has 573 employees working in the Lazarus building, occupying 215,000 SF. After the renovation, it will bring an additional 90 employees into the building and lease an additional 14,000 square feet.
"It is very rewarding to have this historic landmark find new life. In the year and a half since Federated donated the building to CDDC there has been an immense amount of progress on rehabilitating this building and the RiverSouth District as a whole," said Huntington CEO Thomas E. Hoaglin, Chairman of CDDC.
Additionally, CDDC is continuing its negotiations with Ohio State and Battelle for the arts and research in the building's remaining space.
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