The area I have been looking at is the Ohio Statehouse. The grounds are situated in the middle of downtown Columbus and is surrounded by 20+ story buildings.The area is undergoing a renaissance of new developement that will bring in more people. On the days that I was there the temperatures were hovering in the upper 90's so the grounds as well as the surrounding areas were pretty much empty except for the people waiting on buses or the occasional business person having to walk from one building to another. On a more friendly day the grounds would have seen more activity as many people elect to get their lunch to go and sit on the lawn or benches. There are not many areas directly in the downtown proper that have large grass areas and mature trees so this serves as the oasis in the desert, so to speak.
The layout of the grounds encourages pedestrian movement. There is a perimeter walkway encircling the site as well as multiple walkways that cross through the site allowing someone access from all sides. The site encompasses 2 acres of land.
The rotunda of the Statehouse is 120' from the floor to the skylight creating an imposing figure . While now dwarfed by surrounding buildings the statehouse is still able to stand out among the much larger competition. When looking down from the much taller buildings you see an area that bustles with activity (during less hot humid mid western summers).
During the 1960's due to the lack of parking a garage was built under the west lawn. Vehicle access is from the northeast and southeast corners of the site with pedestrian access to ground level at the northwest and southwest corners. There are also three pedestrian tunnels to buildings located across from the site.
Traffic Flow shown in red
Pedestrian Flow Shown in blue
Underground Pedestrian tunnels shown in green
Front lawn area looking away from capital building towards intersection of Broad and High Streets.
Looking east on High Street. The capital building is towards the left.
What I found to be positives of the site:
The layout of the grounds encourages pedestrian movement. There is a perimeter walkway encircling the site as well as multiple walkways that cross through the site allowing someone access from all sides. The site encompasses 2 acres of land.
The rotunda of the Statehouse is 120' from the floor to the skylight creating an imposing figure . While now dwarfed by surrounding buildings the statehouse is still able to stand out among the much larger competition. When looking down from the much taller buildings you see an area that bustles with activity (during less hot humid mid western summers).
During the 1960's due to the lack of parking a garage was built under the west lawn. Vehicle access is from the northeast and southeast corners of the site with pedestrian access to ground level at the northwest and southwest corners. There are also three pedestrian tunnels to buildings located across from the site.
Traffic Flow shown in redPedestrian Flow Shown in blue
Underground Pedestrian tunnels shown in green
Front lawn area looking away from capital building towards intersection of Broad and High Streets.
Looking east on High Street. The capital building is towards the left.
What I found to be positives of the site:
- Large open spaces that encourage people to gather.
- Easy accessibility to all spaces.
- Large mature trees that provide shade and visual barriers to surrounding buildings, which create a park in an area surrounded by asphalt
- Easy access from all surrounding buildings or areas.
- New development around site to provide housing near area.
- Plenty of parking lots surround the site
What I found to be negatives of the site:
- Surrounded by asphalt.
- The area is basically deserted during evenings and weekends unless there is a special activity going on nearby.
- Although used by some, ignored by others. Most people never stop to "smell the roses"
- Traffic flow discourages passing motorists to stop and look around.
- Plenty of parking lots surround the site.
Basically a site that provides park like settings that not many take advantage of.
