 "Photo: <i>Sean Spitzer</i>")
| Retired professor Philip Hollander has lived among the student population at his home on East Northwood Avenue for more than 40 years. |
It is obvious there is a large student population surrounding Ohio State in what is called the University District.
But living among the undergraduate and graduate students are also non-Ohio State students who have lived in the area for many years.
"It can get noisy on Friday and Saturday nights but when I go to bed I sleep, I've got the house very insulated," said Philip Hollander, 82 and a former OSU professor who came to Columbus in 1964 and has lived on East Northwood Avenue ever since.
"Sure, I get a little irritated when they throw beer cans on my porch, but heck, they're kids," he said.
According to the Center for Urban & Regional Analysis, the University District is defined as the area around OSU, bounded by the Glen Echo Ravine on the north, the Conrail tracks on the east, Fifth Avenue on the south and the Olentangy River on the west.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2000, there were 33,089 people living in the 43201 zip code. Those between the ages 20-24 were the largest portion of the population with 14,965 people. Those who were 60 and older accounted for 1,282 people.
Pasquale Grado, president of the University District Organization, said there are about 46,500 people currently living in the University District, making it the most densely populated area in the state of Ohio.
"It is comparable to the size of Springfield or Marion, Ohio," he said.
Grado added homeowners who occupy their homes comprise only about 11 percent of the University District population.
This raises a concern for Colleen Creamer of 242 E. Northwood Ave., who said she would rather students did not live on her street.
"The difference is that these are our homes, rather than just a place that we are renting," she said. She added that because of this, students neglect the upkeep of their rented space and contribute to other problems, such as noise and litter.
Steve Baxter, a junior in sports and leisure studies and resident of Northwood Avenue, said that he has experienced the diverse age group of the northeast part of campus in both positive and negative ways.
He recalled when he decided to watch the OSU football game on his porch with his roommates.
"The older people across the street asked us to turn down it down because it was too loud and making their dogs bark," Baxter said. "But everything makes their dogs bark."
He said he was fortunate to know someone who lived on the street last year who was able to give him advice about which neighbors complained about students, but ultimately he has not had a bad experience.
Terry Steinbauer, 51, is also a new resident of the northeast part of campus. His family moved to 191 E. Oakland Ave. when his wife got a job at OSU about a year ago.
He said they have not had too many problems having students as their neighbors. The day they moved in, their student neighbors introduced themselves and said they were in a band and if the noise was ever a nuisance, to let them know.
"Communication has been key," Steinbauer said. "There are good days and bad days but generally it hasn't been too bad."
Most students living in areas with non-students agree that there is little conflict and they like living in an area where it is a little cleaner and calmer.
"If they don't mind us, I don't mind them," Baxter said.
Candace Adrian can be reached at adrian.15@osu.edu.
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