High Street needs Campus Partners

High Street needs Campus Partners

Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to make some people see reason. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what my fellow students need when it comes to the modernization and development of their community. Columnist Nathan Crabbe feels that the ‘dirt around the edges’ on High Street gives it authenticity, and that Campus Partners plans may turn High Street into an ‘overpriced strip mall.’ And while this view may be genuine and possibly reside in the hearts of the OSU class of ’55, it is not a constructive viewpoint for the campus and city communities.Crabbe also feels that the Campus Partners plans to force all storefronts to have 70 percent glass will ‘rob High Street of any authenticity.’ Authenticity? Is that what we see now when we walk down the almost degrading decor that plagues High Street? If so, then a forced renovation is not only necessary, but also should be required by any businesses wanting to stay in the campus area. Such renovations could make High Street an attractive incentive for coming to the campus area, as opposed to the current blemish that demeans our campus and the history that is accompanied with it.Crabbe’s final comment is that ‘there are a half dozen malls in the area’ and that ‘High Street doesn’t need to be another one.’ After reading that, my question was what characterizes a mall. Fancy storefronts? A food court? Or a variety of different stores? No matter how one defines a mall, High Street will never be one. It will always have different stores, bars, dance clubs, and restaurants and its flavor will be defined by the student body. If we feel that our definition of High Street should be a trashy, somewhat unsafe area littered with beggars then we should keep its ‘authenticity.’ Otherwise, we should support and work together with Campus Partners to make a lasting visual and classy renovation to High Street. Take the slap in the face, leave the authenticity of Taco Bell trash elsewhere and look forward to a new and improved campus area.

Sam CarnahanSophomore, history