New downtown hotel complex to include lofts, office and restaurants (Columbus: condos, beach)

[WASwift]

Missing the skyline thing isn't necessarily bad. No building in downtown Charleston, SC can be taller than the tallest church steeple. Frankly, it gives the downtown area a lot of charm.

Metro population is above 650k.

I like that Columbu's tallest building isn't even downtown.

[amyers3]

Originally Posted by JayHey

That's in the plans sometime after The Rapids opens up. Can't remember if it's before or after the office/retail building. I don't think it will be more than 5 stories.

This is next, before the office/grocery, I believe. Not going to be a huge hotel, similar to Courtyard in size, but "boutique" -- won't be Marriott or Hilton brand.

[Columbus1999]

Columbus getting a downtown skyline is dead. There is no height ordinance on buildings but the loophole is all buildings must be approved by the Facade Board and they will not allow buildings over 6 stories and they must have a historic design or they get denied. That’s why the Hakpton project got a floor taken off. We don’t need an Uptown Facade Board in my opinion. They hold the city back.

[columbusboy8]

We DO need an Uptown facade board---,but it needs to be forward-thinking and open-minded. To limit building heights to 5 stories is asinine and small town. Personally, I bet it was the hotel owner who lopped a floor off. To be building a river-view hotel without a rooftop restaurant and bar is a HUGE...HUGE mistake!! A mistake that would be shortsighted, and very expensive to correct in the future!

[JayHey]

Yeah, the UFB is not the culprit at all here. Prohibitive costs is the true enemy.

[Fountain-of-youth]

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Originally Posted by Columbus1999

Columbus getting a downtown skyline is dead. There is no height ordinance on buildings but the loophole is all buildings must be approved by the Facade Board and they will not allow buildings over 6 stories and they must have a historic design or they get denied. That’s why the Hakpton project got a floor taken off. We don’t need an Uptown Facade Board in my opinion. They hold the city back.

I agree. The Downtown Development Authority should have the final say in everything! Not just issuing bonds for certain projects that is approved by city council.

[TheYoungProfessional]

Originally Posted by columbusboy8

We DO need an Uptown facade board---,but it needs to be forward-thinking and open-minded. To limit building heights to 5 stories is asinine and small town. Personally, I bet it was the hotel owner who lopped a floor off. To be building a river-view hotel without a rooftop restaurant and bar is a HUGE...HUGE mistake!! A mistake that would be shortsighted, and very expensive to correct in the future!

I agree with Jay; I don’t think it’s the board limiting height, I think they are doing what they can afford. Same with the rooftop restaraunt/bar...it’s just outside of the budget. I’d actually rather see this project come to life as is than an old abandoned building just sitting there although I’m hopeful for another more elaborate downtown hotel in the future. I’m putting my money on WC Bradley to execute the type of project we were initially expecting with this.

[tonygamble168]

Originally Posted by Columbus1999

Columbus getting a downtown skyline is dead. There is no height ordinance on buildings but the loophole is all buildings must be approved by the Facade Board and they will not allow buildings over 6 stories and they must have a historic design or they get denied. That’s why the Hakpton project got a floor taken off. We don’t need an Uptown Facade Board in my opinion. They hold the city back.

wow well they really sucks then for columbus, so that means a skyline would be more likely too happen on the alabama side then, phenix city doesn't have a facade board so let's say if a developer wanted too build a 10 story structure in phenix city it would pass and happen with no problems.

[Columbus1984]

Not a fan of the facade board. I don’t think they limit height. All depends on the project and cost of the project. Columbus will see taller buildings in the near future.

To me it seems like development is really starting to pick up. What we really need is a Chamber of Commerce to actually be functional and start recruiting better jobs to our region.

[DWColumbus]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Not a fan of the facade board. I don’t think they limit height. All depends on the project and cost of the project. Columbus will see taller buildings in the near future.

To me it seems like development is really starting to pick up. What we really need is a Chamber of Commerce to actually be functional and start recruiting better jobs to our region.

We need to aggressively go after better jobs in the region. They need to do everything possible to bring in high paying jobs to the area as this is probably the biggest thing holding Columbus back. We aren't going to get anywhere if the only companies locating here are only paying 20K a year salaries.