When Lynn Michaels graduated from Ohio State in 1997, she said she could tell her alma mater was moving east of High Street and into the University District.
Michaels has since become a civic leader in her community, serving on the Weinland Park Community Collaborative, Northside Development Corp. and the University Area Commission.
In an area which was primarily inhabited by OSU students and small business owners, she said she is not thrilled about the university “carving up” her neighborhood to make room for the University Gateway Center.
“Something needed to be done about High Street, but they’re going to turn it into a homogenized shopping strip,” Michaels said. “We’re going to be the shopping mall college of Ohio.”
She said she believes the campus area lost its “tradition” in the development of the University Gateway Center. Michaels said alumni used to come back to High Street to find the same people running the same mom-and-pop shops they frequented during their time at OSU. She said this is no longer the case.
“I think we’ve lost an incredible piece of individuality by shutting those places down,” Michaels said. “It’s lost its personality. It’s very much commercialized is what I guess I’m trying to say.”
According to Michaels, Campus Partners’ new redevelopment project has taken 10 blocks away from her neighborhood, Weinland Park. She said she disapproves of the city’s support for the project by aiding Campus Partners’ acquisition of properties with eminent domain.
“Campus Partners got their reputation for being the 300-pound gorrilla to the north because of this,” Michaels said. “It comes down to what the university wants, and that’s the deciding factor: money.”
It’s hard to imagine OSU would not have an official presence in the University Gateway Center – the crown jewel of Campus Partners’ tiara.
According to Steve Sterrett, spokesman for Campus Partners, the redevelopment project will house the Office of Human Resources and possibly other administrative offices now located in Archer House on 2130 Neil Ave.
“I think it will be useful to have good, quality office space near High Street,” Sterrett said. “I think the overall commitment (to improve the University District) will be a positive thing for the university.”
Michaels said she believes OSU will continue to expand east of High Street, adding more buildings, offices and classrooms to the University District.
“I assume they’re putting in parking for a reason,” she said. However, Sterrett disagrees.
“I think the university wants to continue to be involved in the neighborhood,” he said, “but I don’t expect a lot of other colleges or offices to move off campus.”
While Sterrett said he does not anticipate the university to expand to the East, Michaels remains doubtful.
“You could ask them until the day before they do it, and they’ll still say no,” she said. “It doesn’t matter that they’re imposing themselves on the neighborhood.”
Michaels said the Human Ecology House, located on 1621 N. 4th St., is an example of OSU already beginning the move east of High Street.
“I’m assuming that’s where they’re headed,” Michaels said. “It was more of a gut feeling, and when humanities came over I wasn’t crazy about it.”
Golden Jackson, professor of Human Ecology, said the Human Ecology House is an asset to surrounding neighborhoods. The house is used for classes and service-learning initiatives – like the Learning Bridge, a reading program. Jackson said the building is used for neighborhood meetings as well.
“I think that my students have benefitted from having experiences in the neighborhood that connect to what they’re learning in the classroom,” Jackson said. “I think having a presence in the neigborhood gives our college visibility.”
