Arches:
Historically, Columbus had been know as "The city of Arches" for its wood framed arches which once spanned High Street, on the East Side of the River.
While the original arches are long gone, the city has put up new steel arches with illuminated globes, at several of its districts.
These arches provide a unifying element that indicates the boundaries of a specific district, and are unique to Columbus.
The new Main Street bridge picks up on this vernacular. When complete the new main street bridge will be the nations first inclined, single-rib tied arch bridge. Separate road decks will be constructed, which will separate out the pedestrian from the vesicular access.
Rail Infrastructure:
The viaduct generally sits at an elevation of about 16' above the surrounding peninsula. While this does not entirely visually obstruct the views of downtown, at a pedestrian scale it limits the access points into and out of the neighborhood.
The elevated decks of the railway, provide a clear delineation of the neighborhood, a temporal entry, as light and temperature change as you travel beneath them.
The key thing that the viaducts do, is to limit and narrow the frame of the street level view and to effectively separate out the pedestrian scale from the views of the skyline which always hover above the viaduct.
At the former Toledo & Ohio rail Station (Now the International Association of Fire Fighters Building) the rail infrastructure opens up and provides a sheltered gallery. Prior to the renovation of the T&O station, this was a popular place for the homeless to sleep.
At Westbound Broad street, the viaduct above, casts a shadow below, and frames the street. The site is immediately to the left in this image. Due to the speed that vehicles travel along broad, and the prominence of the trees any building placed at the Right of Way will have very minimal visibility (from westbound vehicular traffic).
From the Parking lot at the rear of the Spaghetti Warehouse the existing cut-thru of Rush Alley is framed by an arching concrete tunnel. The green shows the proposed COSI- Mt. Caramel extension as it completes its final Eastbound leg.
State Street looking West. Project site is on the Right past the second bridge. The frame of the view is VERY low and narrow.
Towers, Spires:
One of the most prominet buildings nearby, the Toledo & Ohio Railway station dates back to 1875. The tower is visible in all directions above the datum of the viaduct.
Originally the West Market was one of Columbus' four public markets. Now the building is the Columbus Boy's & Girls Club.
The building culminates with a four story tower, where a majority of the surrounding area is 1-2 storys.
The holy family church on Broad Street can be clearly seen on the North side of the street while traveling Westbound.
Mt. Carmel Medical Center has one central tower as its defining feature.
Row-House Apartments:
Typically 2-3 stories, brick construction as illustrated here on Grubb Street (5 blocks west of the project site)
The "Castle" Apartments on State Street, between May & McDowell date to 1900 and are listed on the national register of historic places.
Warehouses:
Between the viaduct, the spaghetti warehouse is a major local attraction, serving casual Italian cooking. Of note is that people come here to eat from the suburbs, and make a point to get here despite not much else around within walking distance. Also of note is that the entry of the building is on Rush Alley, and can be considered backwards on the site.
Immediately south of the project site on State Street:
South 2 blocks of the site on Lucas st.
Automotive:
There are several active repair garages in the neighborhood, and as such there is an excess of parking and open lots. This is where the proposed Capital Alley Connector would join at Mill St. 1/2 block South of Broad. The T&O station is visible at the lower left of the photo.
