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The OFFICIAL Newsletter Of The
Columbus GA
Business Improvement District
The BID Reflections NewsLetter -
November, 2006
This is a Free Publication By The Columbus
Georgia Business Improvement District.
In This Issue:
• Spooktacular
Success
• Urban Living in
Uptown Columbus
• Columbus BID
Recognized for Best Image Building Campaign
•
Phenix Finance
Wins Halloween Window Decorating Contest
Spooktacular Success
Saturday, October 28, the streets of the historic 800 block of Broadway
were filled with ghosts, goblins and superheroes galore as the Columbus
Business Improvement District hosted the 6th annual uptown trick or
treat and “Spooktacular” Halloween Carnival. Forty organizations
came
together to create a Halloween wonderland for the children of
Columbus. Over 1400 children, along with their parents, enjoyed
the
holiday activities, festive entertainment and infinite supply of candy
and treats. To quote an article in the Ledger Enquirer, “there
was
more candy available to children than at the Hershey factory”.
| The kids dug for buried treasure… |
 |
| enjoyed live
entertainment… |
 |
strolled
around
taking in the sites…
|
|
| met special
characters… |
 |
| competed in
a costume contest… |
 |
| played
games… |
 |
| and ate lots
of candy. |
|
By the end
of the night…
even the
superheroes needed a
nap.
|
 |
We would like to thank the many sponsors who gave their time and money
to make this event happen. Columbus State University was
paramount to
the success of Spooktacular with their 25+ participating campus
organizations that were all on-site Saturday setting up children’s
activity booths, handing out candy, and providing entertainment.
Columbus Technical College, Troy State, University of Phoenix, Channel
3, the Ledger Enquirer, Sunny 100, Muscogee County Sheriff’s
Department, Columbus Police Department, CSU Campus Police, Houlihan’s,
Columbus Marriot, Chapman’s, Carmike Cinemas, Monkey Joes, Atmos
Energy, Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Childcare Network
and Uptown Columbus were among the sponsors who made this event
possible.
Urban Living in
Uptown Columbus
Most American cities are built for cars, not people. Fortunately
over the last two decades there has been a rebellion against urban
flight and suburban sprawl, and a revitalization of some of our most
vibrant cities’ downtown neighborhoods. Urban living is a place
to find downtown lofts, mixed-use developments, restored historical
buildings, upscale town-homes, modern condos and other urban
properties.
Since the early 1990s, tens of thousands of lofts, apartments and
condominiums have been completed, started or announced in newly
thriving downtown neighborhoods. Residents represent all
constituencies – singles, young professionals, young marrieds,
middle-age professionals and empty nesters – anyone who wants to be
close to museums, theater and sidewalk cafes. While many of these
units are in new buildings, the most spectacular spaces exist in the
heart of downtown in our collection of historic buildings, factories
and salvaged warehouses. With their tall ceilings and dramatic
views, these converted lofts epitomize the new urbanism of the 1990s
and beyond.
Urban living is gaining popularity and helping revitalize cities across
the country. For those in Columbus, GA who are making the
decision to move uptown, lofts are the home of choice and seem to be
attracting people of all ages. They want to be in the heart of
the city. They want to walk to work, cultural events and
dining. They don’t want the responsibilities of conventional home
ownership. They enjoy the freedom to travel…being able to just
lock the door and leave.
What else is convincing so many people to choose a more urban
lifestyle? That question can best be answered by those who have
already committed themselves to becoming a part of the urban
community. Uptown resident Al Gibel stated, “Columbus is the
first city where I have felt comfortable living downtown”. Mr.
Gibel has lived in numerous cities including New York and
Philadelphia. Before moving to Columbus, he took several business
trips here, staying uptown and walking to the local
establishments. He quickly became enamored by our beautiful
uptown area.
Mr. Gibel’s strolls in the Uptown area and the convenience of loft
apartment living so intrigued him that he chose to relocate to
Columbus, GA. After looking into houses and apartments in
Columbus, he decided to call Uptown Columbus his home. When asked
how he liked living in Uptown Columbus he stated, “You can’t beat the
scenery, the Riverwalk is spectacular, and the people are so
nice”. Mr. Gibel enjoys the view from his large balcony
overlooking Uptown, and finds that having no yard to maintain suits his
nomadic lifestyle.
Jason Gibbs, owner of Larry’s Giant Subs on Broadway also calls Uptown
his home. He enjoys the ease of walking to work, the
entertainment venues, and the vibrancy that the people he encounters
add to the area. Uptown Columbus residents are passionate about
living Uptown. Our community is filled with restaurants, cultural
events, the Riverwalk, one-of-a-kind retailers, and an eclectic
entertainment scene – all of which create a vibrant neighborhood that
is uniquely Uptown Columbus. The ability to walk to work, to
dinner, to a play, or out to a nightclub makes Uptown the most
convenient, exciting, and fun place to live in Columbus. This is
why more than 500 people love calling Uptown home.
In 2002, several blocks North of the Uptown area, the old Columbus Mill
was converted into Johnston Mill Lofts. The property has 336
units and a 95% occupancy rate. Like many of the reconstructed
historical properties in the uptown area, the project was funded with
historic tax credit money, designating 50% of the units to the
affordable housing program. The lofts come in 1 & 2 bedroom
floor plans and among the many attributes are expansive windows, up to
18’ceilings and Riverwalk views. According to property manager
Ashley Bloeschle, the units are filled with various professionals,
military personnel, nurses, school teachers and single parents, people
with a range of income and lifestyles. “It’s like living in a
part of history”, stated Bloeschle.
Located on the corner of Broadway and 11th Street are the 11th Street
Lofts, a joint venture of WC Bradley Company and Flournoy Development
Company. The HL Green property consists of 46 units including
studios, lofts, two-bedroom and two-story homes. Original
hardwood floors, hand pressed tin ceiling tiles and mezzanines
epitomize the individuality and character of urban living. The
residents are a mix of military, professionals and professors.
Leah Braxton, VP of brokerage services for WC Bradley, stated that the
lofts were an excellent investment and really gave people a sense of
ownership and vested them in the uptown area.
Edgar Chancellor, prior owner of the men’s specialty store that has
graced Broadway for 131 years, Chancellor’s, owns 6 loft apartments in
the Uptown area. The 4th generation to own and operate the family
business, Chancellor knows the value of historical heritage. His
lofts feature hardwood floors, exposed beams, brick walls and a view of
Broadway. Highlighted in the historic tour of homes, the
units stay occupied with an assortment of residents comprised of
doctors, stock brokers, military and students. “The people who
want to live uptown, love it; they are a tight-nit bunch, the kind of
people you want to sit and have a glass of wine with”, stated
Chancellor.
When asked what interested him in the investment, Chancellor recalled a
Christmas party he attended at one of the first lofts uptown.
After taking in the reaction of the attendees to the unique and
distinctive dwelling, he immediately realized the
potential. He thought, “Wow, what a wonderful
project! People really like this; its fun!” Among the other
developments in urban living in Uptown Columbus are the six units at
Rankin Square Apartments, as well as the 18 apartments at Flowers
Condos located on 12th Street. Each property has a 100% occupancy
rate.
Uptown living is an upcoming revolution…a coast to coast interest in
choosing to live, love, and regrow America’s cities. This
revolution inspires young people and old who are tired of the suburbs
and ready for the glittering lights of city living to “get urban” and
move back to the city for community and cultural action. This
trend has not been lost on Columbus State University, who has recently
added 252 student residences and a 500 space parking deck to the
ever-changing face of Broadway. This project is in addition to
the 34 apartments and 108 residents in the Rankin Building. Edgar
Chancellor commented on the venture saying “What CSU is doing is making
Uptown come to life, it’s really exciting”. “When the
construction settles and people get back in their habits Uptown is
going to explode. I am really happy for my children -- to know
they will have a nice place to be if they choose to stay here”, he
stated.
With a nod to the past and a wink to the future, two pieces of
Columbus’ history and architectural heritage will soon become one of
the newest additions to the city’s loft scene, courtesy of WC Bradley
Co. Situated on the river, the Eagle & Phenix Mills will play
a major role in helping extend the Loft District by offering a chic
option for downtown living. WC Bradley purchased the Eagle &
Phenix Mills in 2003 and have been working vigorously to turn their
vision of a “live, work, play, dine and shop” environment into a
reality. The first phase of the project will bring 93 residential
lofts with 26 different floor plans. Staying true to the mill’s
historical integrity, the lofts will feature exposed ceilings, concrete
floors, brick perimeter walls and wood post and beam
construction. “You will almost feel the history of the building
as you look around”, stated a representative from WC Bradley.
Retail, Restaurant and Office space are included in the 174,000 square
foot renovation.
Another imminent addition to uptown living is seven loft apartments
currently being built by APVentures, LLC. Owner Randy Perez said
that they should be completed by February or March of next year.
The lofts, located at 1123 Broadway, will be a mixture of modern and
traditional themes featuring spiral staircases, high ceilings, raised
office areas, inventive lighting concepts and French doors that open
onto Broadway. The building’s attributes will also include a
central atrium-like common area with skylights and two commercial
spaces.
Columbus
BID Recognized at 2006 Statewide Downtown Conference for Best Image
Building Campaign
The Georgia Downtown Association and the Georgia Department of
Community Affairs Office of Downtown Development honored organizations
and individuals for their outstanding achievement and revitalization of
Georgia’s downtowns at the 2006 Georgia Downtown Conference October
11-13 in Valdosta, GA.
As the premier conference on downtown revitalization in the state, this
event is a conduit to promote downtown and economic development through
public awareness, governmental relations and education. The
conference provides an opportunity to downtown and community
development professionals and state and local leaders to grow their
knowledge regarding programs, activities and tools to aid in
revitalization efforts. Nearly 200 of Georgia’s downtown
professionals came together to develop and discuss strategies for
bettering their downtown business district.
 The Georgia Downtown Awards were established
to recognize individuals, downtown programs and/or businesses that have
demonstrated unique efforts in making a difference in their
downtowns. The
Columbus BID took home the “Best Image Building Campaign” award.
Burnie Quick, president of the Columbus Business Improvement District,
Kelly Smith, marketing director of the Columbus Business Improvement
District along with Alison Hayes of the Columbus Convention and Visitor
Bureau and Richard Bishop of Uptown Columbus attended the conference
and accepted the award (pictured on right).
The award spotlighted the “purple people”, for becoming the brand and
theme of downtown hospitality and helping change the image of downtown
Columbus dramatically. The Purple People and their Litter
Critters have graced the streets of uptown Columbus for six and a half
years. A flurry of construction and prosperity due to public private
partnerships, “purple people”, professionalism, a focus on hospitality
and a major marketing campaign have produced a cleaner, safer and more
vibrant uptown area.
Columbus will host the 2007 Georgia Downtown Conference October
10-12. The conference will bring downtown professionals from all
over the state to share their success stories, continue their education
and enjoy what our wonderful uptown area has to offer.
 Phenix Finance Wins Halloween Window
Decorating Contest
From ghosts to goblins, witches to wizards, participants pulled out all
the stops this October trying to win the Columbus Business Improvement
District’s Annual Halloween Window Decorating Contest. Every
Holiday Season, the businesses on Broadway come together to create a
festive spirit in the Uptown area. Scares, those associated with
this time of year, were free and bountiful in Uptown Columbus as
participants gave free expression to their creativity. The
storefronts were draped in spider webs, skeletons hung from the walls,
bats flew from the ceiling, spiders skulked for their murky hiding
places, and around every turn something was waiting to leap out and
cause a scream.
Fifteen stores and businesses along Broadway participated in the
event. Their efforts have been showcased on Broadway and made a
major contribution to the Spooktacular spirit as thousands of people
visited the uptown area for the Uptown Trick-or-Treat and Spooktacular
Halloween Carnival. Judges had a difficult task making a final
decision based on a wonderful collection of designs. Phenix Finance
Service ultimately rose above the competition and was named winner of
Columbus BID’s 2006 Halloween Window Decorating Contest.
Phenix Finance Service, located on Broadway, has served the uptown area
for thirty years. Mary Burnette, who is enjoying her 26th year as
manager, always enjoys the Halloween spirit. “It’s fun, it creates a
good atmosphere,” she said. Mary credits their long-time success to her
fantastic staff made up of Virginia Foster, Jennifer Roller and Rebecca
Renfroe as well as owner Joe Oliver. “We are a friend to the people”,
stated Mary. “We have customers that have been with us since we
began”. That’s no surprise when you see how much effort was spent
in their decorations which reached from the front window to the back
wall. Nothing was overlooked on their creation of a wonderful holiday
environment.
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The BID Logo,
and BID with swoosh logos are trademarks of the Columbus Business
Improvement District.
All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
BID MISSION STATEMENT:
The Columbus Business Improvement District provides enhanced
improvement and services by managing, marketing, and maintaining a
clean and a safe Uptown Area.
© 2006 The Columbus GA Business Improvement District - All
rights reserved.
The Columbus, GA Business Improvement District 1226 Third Avenue, PO
Box 1218, Columbus, GA 31901
www.columbusbid.com |
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