Columbus Commons Park to add 24-foot Carousel

[PREMiERdrum]

A fountain and carousel will be part of the Columbus Commons park being built Downtown, on the site that formerly was home to Columbus City Center mall.

Mark Corna, president of the Corna-Kokosing construction firm, said the 24-foot-diameter carousel will be funded by cost savings on the project.

Korna said the carousel will be bought from Carousel Works in Mansfield, which carves the wooden carousel figures by hand. The cost will be $325,000.

Primary work on the park is expected to be completed in December, with final plantings and a grand opening planned for the spring.

LINK - Columbus Dispatch

It's nice to see CarouselWorks get some new business, and the small resurgence of Carousel appreciation brings a smile to my face.

Now, the next question: Working organ? Or CDs?

[jzarley]

That's a nice touch for this new park. I was hoping for an outdoor skating rink (anyone remember the Centrum from the 1980s? <g>), but this is pretty cool.

That site looks so odd now with the City Center gone!

[PREMiERdrum]

That's a nice touch for this new park. I was hoping for an outdoor skating rink (anyone remember the Centrum from the 1980s? <g>), but this is pretty cool.

That site looks so odd now with the City Center gone!

The Centrum was great (or so I've been told)... but the "Skate on State" effort from 2006/7 was a pretty big fail.

It is odd to see City Center gone, and sad, too. I remember being there the day of the grand opening and thinking how awesome it was. In reality, though, a downtown mall with no curb appeal and no downtown views from inside was a recipe for failure. Once the anchors pulled out and the gangs took over the writing was on the wall.

I'm excited to see how Columbus Commons turns out. I'm also secretly hoping that the park provides grounds for a tented circus to return to downtown!

[jzarley]

I had forgotten about the "Skate on State" experiment...of course, it was a kind of crappy temporary rink too. (It looked like someone froze over their above ground pool )

I also fondly remember the grand opening of the City Center. In it's time, the City Center was considered one of the most successful examples of urban retail in the country...many similar shopping centers were built around the world using it as the model. You're right about the design though...the City Center was developed just a few years before the concept of the mega indoor mall was dying. The mall was a stand-alone island in the middle of downtown, and urban renewal that was supposed to happen around it never did. In retrospect, a "lifestyle center" (like Easton, The Greens, etc.) would have been a much better model for that downtown location. (Of course, that would have put it about 15 years ahead of the times...)

[PREMiERdrum]

"Not so fast" says Franklin County Commissioners:

FRANKLIN COUNTY REACTS TO UPDATED PLAN FOR A CAROUSEL AT DOWNTOWN PARK

This afternoon Franklin County Commissioners learned of Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation’s change in plans for Columbus Commons to include the installation of a carousel.

Until the sponsors provide information about the new features, including the carousel, the grant payment for this project will not be processed. The commissioners are committed to ensuring an appropriate use of public funds.

Their objections come from this tidbit, from the aforementioned Dispatch article:

Mark Corna, president of the Corna-Kokosing construction firm, said the 24-foot-diameter carousel will be funded by cost savings on the project.

"You don't want to give any of that back to the county?," joked commission member Kyle Katz. Franklin County is kicking in $3 million in tax money, and $2 million is being contributed by Franklin County Metro Parks to the $20 million project.

[Go Browns]

I have to say I think this is a horrible idea. Carousel's are an eyesore and ancient and have no place in a modern public park that a city can be proud of. I think the money would be much better spent on an iconic work of art along the lines of the Cloud Gate or Crown Fountain of Chicago's Millennium Park. I really hope they put an end to this and quickly before anymore money is wasted on the idea.

[PREMiERdrum]

I have to say I think this is a horrible idea. Carousel's are an eyesore and ancient and have no place in a modern public park that a city can be proud of. I think the money would be much better spent on an iconic work of art along the lines of the Cloud Gate or Crown Fountain of Chicago's Millennium Park. I really hope they put an end to this and quickly before anymore money is wasted on the idea.

While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, a Carousel (especially one of the intricate, hand-carved CarouselWorks machines) can be a thing of beauty. The models at Kings Island, Cedar Point, and the Columbus Zoo all show how a classically-styled carousel in a detailed and classy pavilion can be quite breathtaking.

Also, the carousel would generate revenue from riders, while a sculpture instillation would just gather pigeon poo.

[The Interpreter]

I think you missed out a distinct sense of sarcasm...

[PREMiERdrum]

I think you missed out a distinct sense of sarcasm...

I was hoping so, but he seemed so convinced! A would have helped.

[jzarley]

There are actually some elements reminiscent (ripped off ) from Chicago's Millennium Park coming to another new Columbus park under construction--the Scioto Mile project:

http://www.sciotomile.com/

This park will include interactive fountains, performance space, and a glass-walled cafe that looks a lot to me like a scaled down Millennium Park.

[KIfan73]

I still can't believe City Center is gone. I remember reading in my local newspaper about it opening and my family visiting it when it was brand new. That place was amazing. I did my Christmas shopping there for several years. Admittedly, looking back, it did go downhill pretty quickly. The last time I shopped there was in '99. From what I read online, the mall itself was still in good shape at the time of its demolition. It's still sad to think back to those early visits...no one could have imagined it being torn down just 20 years later.

[Go Browns]

Nope no sarcasm here. Listen I respect the talent of the artists that carve the horses and eyesore was probably not the best word choice, at least not in its first year before its covered in broken light bulbs and plywood, but I maintain that a carousel is an awful choice this atmosphere. A carousel would fit nicely in quite little historic towns like Mason or Westerville where people are raising families. That area of the city has been pretty run down for awhile but with this park, the park on the river, and the massive amount of brand new condos being built there not to mention is proximity to the arena district, short north, and brewery district/german village its becoming a very attractive place to live for young professionals and people in their 30s. People that are looking for a modern urban atmosphere not a place to raise kids. THe people that you're going to find a this park are people that work downtown out on their lunch break, are staying in one of the hotels, and people that live in the near by condos. This is not an area that find a lot of little kids with the exception of an event like red white and boom. These are not people that ride carousels or want to here that music while they are enjoying the park.

I can't imagine this ever making enough to pay for itself especially with maintenance costs and the personnel required to operate the thing in the middle of the afternoon when there are any children for miles.

I love the Scioto Mile and I'm really excited to see it get completed. Except of course for that bridge to nowhere they are about to build right down the middle of it but that a whole different story for a different topic.

[Browntggrr]

I can't imagine this ever making enough to pay for itself especially with maintenance costs and the personnel required to operate the thing in the middle of the afternoon when there are any children for miles.

While you can't imagine, others can.

Many people start thier families in their 30's. Having a carousel in a new housing development is very attractive for many people.

But given your comments on others' family choices, I'm sure you have already started your family, and know exactly what to look for...

[Go Browns]

No I haven't started my family (not yet but soon), I'm not sure what comments on "others family choices" you are referring to and I agree that I can't confidently say I know exactly what I should look for though I have my opinions. I do, however, live in downtown Columbus and can say that I have a good idea of who is downtown during the day, at night, and on the weekends. I mean I get it that kids like carousels in a place like an amusement park or family oriented community but downtown Columbus isn't a new housing development and I don't think putting a carousel there is what it takes to bring families there and I also don't think that is the goal of the city. It has a lot of new condos but there aren't any schools and I'd really be surprised if a lot of families with children will be living in this area.

[Browntggrr]

I do, however, live in downtown Columbus and can say that I have a good idea of who is downtown during the day, at night, and on the weekends.

That does clear some things up.

Yes, living a single life in downtown Columbus, you would look at things & for things much different than a person with a family looks at things.

Having a family sheds light on many things that have gone unnoticed under the *single* eye, simply because, there was never a reason for a single person to look at things from a family perspective.

Aside from that, I would rather see a development try something like this than do nothing at all.

[PREMiERdrum]

I do, however, live in downtown Columbus and can say that I have a good idea of who is downtown during the day...

Did you ever think that maybe they're trying to change that? Between Columbus Commons, Scioto Mile, and the awesome new Audubon MetroPark, in addition to the Santa Maria and COSI, there's easily a full day of family fun downtown. I think we'll see Columbus Commons become the new outdoor event center for Columbus (much like the aforementioned Centrum of the '80s, and Franklin Park of the '90s), and that isn't a bad thing. The worst think developers could do at this point is nothing.

As for the cost of the Carousel, as the Dispatch article mentioned, the money is "surplus" from the project after tax savings. The carousel will be a revenue-generating operation and has a chance of recouping it's investment. A sculpture on the other hand...

[Airtimeluvr]

I do, however, live in downtown Columbus and can say that I have a good idea of who is downtown during the day...

Did you ever think that maybe they're trying to change that? Between Columbus Commons, Scioto Mile, and the awesome new Audubon MetroPark, in addition to the Santa Maria and COSI, there's easily a full day of family fun downtown. I think we'll see Columbus Commons become the new outdoor event center for Columbus (much like the aforementioned Centrum of the '80s, and Franklin Park of the '90s), and that isn't a bad thing. The worst think developers could do at this point is nothing.

As for the cost of the Carousel, as the Dispatch article mentioned, the money is "surplus" from the project after tax savings. The carousel will be a revenue-generating operation and has a chance of recouping it's investment. A sculpture on the other hand...

There are no developers, this is all being done with tax dollars, the mall was torn down with tax $, the park is being built with tax $. How is a carousel being built with tax savings? This carousel will not recoup it's cost, it will be a drain on tax $ just like the Santa Maria. What you are saying in your post is the same clap-trap they were saying to get the boat to nowhere/Santa Maria built and placed on the river. If I remember correctly the boat that is supposed to be turned every year has not had the money to do so for the last couple of years and the taxpayers have paid for is since it arrived. What I would like to see change is the total waste of our tax $ in this city, a new increased tax was pushed through saying we were almost broke and would lose police and fire services if the tax was not passed, but yet our mayor has spent nearly 50ml $ or more on nothing but parks in the downtown, not to mention the new bridge that was to cost 19ml and total cost turned out to be 64ml $. Tax savings my A$$

As for the idea, outdoor event center thats great, for over 20ml $ it will have a great 10yr run as in the other parks you named. The reason the mall was torn down was because of the crime, it was not safe in the parking garage, gangs roamed the mall intimidating shoppers, and if you locked up your bike to a post outside, mall cops would cut the lock and have the bike taken away. A carousel at this location will be severely damaged in the first year costing tax $ to repair.

[jzarley]

^ The Santa Maria does serve one purpose...it's my department's meet-up place in case of an emergency which causes a full building evacuation

[PREMiERdrum]

I do, however, live in downtown Columbus and can say that I have a good idea of who is downtown during the day...

Did you ever think that maybe they're trying to change that? Between Columbus Commons, Scioto Mile, and the awesome new Audubon MetroPark, in addition to the Santa Maria and COSI, there's easily a full day of family fun downtown. I think we'll see Columbus Commons become the new outdoor event center for Columbus (much like the aforementioned Centrum of the '80s, and Franklin Park of the '90s), and that isn't a bad thing. The worst think developers could do at this point is nothing.

As for the cost of the Carousel, as the Dispatch article mentioned, the money is "surplus" from the project after tax savings. The carousel will be a revenue-generating operation and has a chance of recouping it's investment. A sculpture on the other hand...

There are no developers, this is all being done with tax dollars, the mall was torn down with tax $, the park is being built with tax $. How is a carousel being built with tax savings? This carousel will not recoup it's cost, it will be a drain on tax $ just like the Santa Maria. What you are saying in your post is the same clap-trap they were saying to get the boat to nowhere/Santa Maria built and placed on the river. If I remember correctly the boat that is supposed to be turned every year has not had the money to do so for the last couple of years and the taxpayers have paid for is since it arrived. What I would like to see change is the total waste of our tax $ in this city, a new increased tax was pushed through saying we were almost broke and would lose police and fire services if the tax was not passed, but yet our mayor has spent nearly 50ml $ or more on nothing but parks in the downtown, not to mention the new bridge that was to cost 19ml and total cost turned out to be 64ml $. Tax savings my A$$

As for the idea, outdoor event center thats great, for over 20ml $ it will have a great 10yr run as in the other parks you named. The reason the mall was torn down was because of the crime, it was not safe in the parking garage, gangs roamed the mall intimidating shoppers, and if you locked up your bike to a post outside, mall cops would cut the lock and have the bike taken away. A carousel at this location will be severely damaged in the first year costing tax $ to repair.

First, I misspoke. The article cites "project savings" (quoting an official from the construction company saying they came in under budget)

Representatives of the Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. presented updated plans for the 6-acre park to the Downtown Commission this morning.

Mark Corna, president of the Corna-Kokosing construction firm, said the 24-foot-diameter carousel will be funded by cost savings on the project.

So, since City Center failed because of "high crime" what should be done with the space? You can't just abandon a few city blocks because a shopping mall failed.

As far as Mayor Muppet McColeman, he's a joke. I won't dispute that. And, to be upfront, I'm about as conservative as they come. With that having been said, you can't make all government building beige, square, metal sided boxes, and you can't make all parks barren yards. As a species, we do have an appreciation for aesthetics.

I would assume that the carousel would be housed in some sort of pavilion (much like the Zoo's), so the threat of damage and vandalism is low.

If you neglect an already neglected area, you give no hope of improvement.

If you invest in a neglected area, and build a base of support from the surrounding community, the area has a chance.

[Airtimeluvr]

I agree with most of what you posted but Kokosing is being payed with tax $ so there is no savings, it comes out of taxpayers pockets. So yes they will have to build a building around it as the zoo did, but that is another cost that isn't reported, as in our new bridge+ additions+ cost over runs.

I have no problem with improving the area but let developers do that with there own $. Nationwide did it with the Arena District why can't some other developer do the same thing with the mall? Because politicians would not allow it, they had their own plans. The casino could have been built there but Colman pushed the park project ahead, and I don't remember any public meeting about the subject. Mayor Reinhart tried to bulldoze the old penitentiary years ago to get the arena tax passed and some wanted him jailed, but some how the city keep the park quiet till the mall was already coming down. I like the new upgraded parks along the river, but I don't think we needed another park downtown at this time' I believe it was done to keep the new casino out of downtown by the powers that be. Look what the Arena District brings into the city, another park is not going to do that. I may be conservative but I would support the tax money going to this park instead go to paying off the Arena so the Blue Jackets don't have to pay for arena's bills.

[PREMiERdrum]

I agree with most of what you posted but Kokosing is being payed with tax $ so there is no savings, it comes out of taxpayers pockets. So yes they will have to build a building around it as the zoo did, but that is another cost that isn't reported, as in our new bridge+ additions+ cost over runs.

I think that most of the park is being paid for by a Federal grant that was secured by the Franklin County Commissioners. (So yes, it is tax money, but it's not coming from Franklin Co exclusively)

And I agree with most of your other points as well. The CBJ thing is an absolute joke.

[Go Browns]

I think Polaris and Easton were a huge part of why City Center was closed. I agree with a lot of what you are saying that is/was a kind of nasty area but you can't just right it off it needs improved. Building new parks and condos will revitalize the area and make it attractive again. Building a fancy bridge like the one that is about to open adds to the skyline and can do a lot for the image of the city. It's the second completely unnecessary one they are building that ****es me off.

I imagine they will probably enclose the carousel like the one in beautiful downtown Mansfield and rent it out for little kids birthday parties. It might make some money but I don't think that money is going to go to the people that paid for the thing (us). I still think a carousel is tacky and old fashion and has no place in a city that is working so hard on its image.

*For the record Brownstgger I'm married and though I don't have kids I realize that's a major priority change but I haven't lived the "single life" in years. I think we just have a difference of opinion here.

[The Interpreter]

Well, obviously, I was wrong about the sarcasm part. The gentleman meant what he said and said what he meant.

Terpy, going back to his cave now...