Would downtown living help Columbus?

I really dont see how it could hurt at all.

How could it hurt? Something needs to breathe in downtown!

Since I'm not living in Columbus at this time, I wasn't aware people aren't living downtown. There used to be several upstairs apartments downtown and some on 11th. They were far from fancy, but some were kept quite nice. Like any neighborhood, you have the good and the bad. If fixed up properly, they could draw young professionals. They could also be made into office space.

This is the first time I´ve ever heard of a town that has no residents in it´s
center.
Having residents in town has serveral advantages. One would be less crime.
There would still be people in town after store closing hours,that would be
alert to strange noises like possible breakins or vandelisum.
Further it would be an advantage to the
elderly who cannot walk far or have no
mobility(car).
A town without residents is a "Town without a Heart."
I´m residing at present in Germany, and all towns here, large or small have residents.

Considering the shortage of rental property in Columbus, I think it would be a great idea to make the upper level apartments available for rent in the downtown area. It only makes sense.

Help!

In larger cities those apartments or condos are premium space. Omaha for example you will pay $300k - $400k for a basic 900sq ft updated place.

Lincoln will run you $250k - $350k for that same 900sq ft place. If done right I would think they would be great.

Parking is the only negative issue that I could see. Then again that is another industry. $1 million for a single parking spot in Boston.

It would be a boon to downtown to have the 2nd floor of as many as possible buildings have apartments in them. Be nice to look up at the 2nd floor and see windows, maybe even with nice window coverings, instead of the boarded up windows you see on so many.
Maybe some businesses could become more
viable with the owner having his residence on the 2nd floor and saving money on housing and transportation. I
don't see much for a down side to this.

They do this in Wayne with college students and it seems to work. It has been done since I went there and that was 15 years ago. The tenents have to agree not to park in front of the businesses during business hours and I never saw a problem. Might be a nice way for the landlords to make a little extra and maybe spruce up their buildings.

Yes,I think downtown residential living would be a improvement to the city.I watch the travel channel,and see downtown living in other countries.I also know its happening in the bigger city's here in America.Their taking big ware houses and turning them into apartments.Why not,what is it going to hurt?

Most cities and towns allow second floor living in business districts. Like Razr said, in most places this is considered premium living space. Its all in how you market it- premium loft space in a vital artistic downtown area, or second floor apartment in a run down old shopping area. Revitalization efforts are good, and will draw artists and young professionals, not demons and druggies. We need to BE the power and progress that we brag about on our welcome signs, which is going to mean a change in attitude by some of our residents and MOST of our political leaders.

at least it would hopefully cut down on the drinking and driving

To be able to wake up and go out the door to have breakfast or sit and have coffee and read a newspaper at a sidewalk cafe (in summer)would be wonderful to some people. To walk about and do most of your shopping in a three block walking area would, I think, appeal to lots of people. What can it hurt?

Instead of a special use permit it should be an ordinance that any upstairs retail business can be used for housing at the owner discretion. I understand that special rules should apply for the lower retail space but for the upper level the city needs to get out of it all together. Moser and co. have got this one wrong for the last 20 years. Hopefully enough people now see that they have ruined downtown. Wayne is a great example. That downtown is much more vibrant than Columbus. Even the infamous flower shop is a strong retail store yet. Not sure if the flower shop basement is still being put to use yet though. Some of you know what I am talking about on that one!

to Katie: I do not know what you shop for all day in a 3 block area, but there is nothing downtown for me except a beer, tattoos coming soon, and maybe watching trains blocking traffic!

When I look at the Romeo patios that sit on the second floor of the buildings on 27th Avenue, I always envision hanging flowers from there. I think downtown living would be a tremendous boost to the downtown. Eateries and bistros would benefit greatly as well. I say "city of power and progress" go for the progress, city council, go out on the limb DO IT! Bring downtown living in. You just might be surprised!

The real hold on any upstairs living is the fire code. These buildings would all need fire escapes and sprinkler systems. This would add thousands of dollars to any remodel cost. As well, it is my opinion, that the apartments be high end. You want a young urban feel to the downtown. $ 250 a month apartments are not going to attract that type of person.

Works very well for David City. Lots of people live in the downtown buildings.

Hmmmm...something to put more people downtown...I think it's a horrible idea...

Cheap housing isn't the only type of housing. If someone invested in some nice loft type condos or apartments I'm sure some people would love to live downtown.

One thing is for sure, downtown isn't getting any better. It seems to slowly be dying. There's only one way to reverse this trend, invest in new businesses and housing options. Columbus people need to do their part and shop downtown when they can and avoid Walmart for everything.

The city really needs to do something about the Highway 30 and 33rd Ave corner. That shopping center looks terrible, like a ghost town. In Lincoln, the city would declare that area 'blighted' and force property owners to open it up to other business. Declaring areas 'blighted' has done many many good things in Lincoln. In Columbus, the city just stares at multiple abandoned stores and scratch their head, then go to east side Walmart.

Just think of the impression people going through town from south to north get. Bridge construction, viaducts closed, railroad crossings closed with long waits at the ones that are actually open, then closed Walmarts, businesses/restaurants/shopping centers at the main intersection in town, drive past some SUR 13 graffiti, then you leave Columbus. It's pathetic Columbus actually needs signs to tell people 'Columbus is open for business'
Columbus is looking really terrible these days and with exception of the 'new' viaduct, nothing is getting better. It's just all moving toward Schuyler.

RE: Fire Code

Gravity makes for a wonderful fire escape. Also, it's not likely that
there are crowded sidewalks below.

~ two copper pennies

first, do the upper buildings downtown meet code for living? singles, families?

second, is there a plan to create an attractive living situation for those who might want to live downtown?

third, are there businesses for those people to shop at such as quality food,dining,florist,coffee shops, gift shops thus making downtown living
a benefit?

finally, renting out upper levels with the state of the current downtown business situation will not increase shopping. THERE IS NO SHOPPING DOWNTOWN.

To shopper: I am just having a vision of what it could be like. It takes planning and "vision". Years ago, when people did do all their shopping downtown, there were people living there, but the apts were not so wonderful and you could also see milk bottles cooling on the window sills in the hotels.
Lots of towns and cities have changed their fading downtowns. The right people just have to be in charge. I do have to agree that a tattoo shop is not exactly the kind of business you might want to have......but it depends on what else is surrounding it, and how it is presented. Specialty shops can be the way to go when the shopping centers attract people to the outskirts tho. It can be done, and has been.

Definately, look what it has done for other communities such as Hastings. It would bring some revitalization to that area if there were some after hours coffee shops, etc.

I think it would help revitalize the downtown area. My daughter lives in a 9th floor apartment in a major western city and loves it. The only problem is available parking...