Happy 4th of July Columbus

Written by: Joe Peffer

I have some big news to announce this week. Change is afoot.  Be safe and happy this weekend.

I was not able to find the original photographer but love the pic.

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Make your Columbus Backyard a Greenspot and get a Discounted Rain Barrel

Written by: Joe Peffer

We got ours from Rain Brothers in Franklinton.

We’ve had a rain barrel sitting in our garage for nearly a year now and almost every day I think about how I should hook it up. It’s painfully easy but I’ve just not gotten around to it and we haven’t decided on the proper spot.

This is a fresh program from the City of Columbus…

For immediate release
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Contact: Dan Williamson, Mayor’s Office, 645-5300
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798

Mayor, Councilmember Paley, Partners Unveil New Program to Provide
Discounted Rain Barrels

Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Councilmember Eileen Paley, representatives from Greif, Inc. and Franklin Soil & Water announced the launch of the Columbus GreenSpot Backyard Conservation Program today at the Marion Franklin Community Recreation Center. The rain barrels offered through Mayor Coleman’s GreenSpot Backyard Conservation Program, will be available for $45, less than one third of the $139 retail price. Residents will be required to first register their home as a GreenSpot and then either attend one of 14 workshops throughout July, August and September or pass an online quiz at www.ColumbusRainBarrels.org .

“Through this public-private partnership it will be even easier for our residents to get green, saving money and the environment,” Mayor Coleman said. “A rain barrel is an easy way to get water for yards and gardens, and the best part is, the water is free.”

Columbus residents participating in the program will become familiar with the effects of urban runoff and learn about the tools to manage storm water issues. By using a rain barrel, households will recharge the ground water supply, decrease the impact of runoff to streams, and save money by reducing the use of treated tap water to water their gardens.

“A rain barrel connected to a downspout is a great way to help the environment and improve household finances,” said Councilmember Paley. “They will keep excess storm water out of the sanitary sewer system and provide a free source of water for plants and gardens. Rain barrels reduce a family’s demand for treated tap water, thus lowering your water bill.”

EarthMinded, a subsidiary of Greif, Inc., headquartered in Central Ohio, has partnered with the City of Columbus and is providing RainStations to the city at the discounted rate as part of its commitment to worldwide water conservation and education. The EarthMinded RainStation rain barrel for sale through the program connects to downspouts and automatically collects runoff water from a house’s roof. It includes everything needed for installation, has a 65-gallon capacity, and is easily winterized. Technical assistance is also available to participants.

“We’re proud to be part of the Columbus GreenSpot Backyard Conservation program,” said Scott Griffin, vice president of Sustainability for Greif. “Initiatives such as this play a critical role in educating and inspiring people to take action and we are very happy to be a part of this change. The management of water is a serious issue, and in Central Ohio we’ve all experienced both sides of it, from drought to deluge. EarthMinded rain barrels help ease the stress on our water system when it rains by capturing and storing the water pouring through the downspouts.”

The city has contracted with Franklin Soil & Water to administer the program and partner with local non-profit watershed groups to conduct the educational workshops.

“The City of Columbus is rich in water resources from small creeks in wooded ravines, accessible rivers and reservoirs,” said Jennifer Fish, Executive Director of Franklin Soil and Water. “Conserving and protecting these resources is important to our community for drinking water, recreation and wildlife; this is important to our identity and our economy.”

The workshop options include:
July 14, 6:30PM, Eastpointe Christian Church, 745 N. Waggoner Rd
July 16, 10:30AM, Hilltop Library, 511 S. Hague Ave.
July 21, 6:30PM, Blendon Woods Metro Park, Sycamore Shelter, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.
July 28, 6:30PM, Whetstone Library, 3909 N. High St.
July 28, 6:30PM, Southeast Library, 3980 S. Hamilton Rd.
July 30, 10:30AM, Big Walnut Shelter House, 5000 E. Livingston
August 4, 6:30PM, Karl Road Library, 5590 Karl Rd.
August 6, 10:30AM, Northern Lights Library, 4093 Cleveland Ave.
August 11, 6:30PM, South High Library, 3540 S. High St.
August 13, 10:30AM, Northside Library, 1423 N. High St.
August 18, 6:30PM, Shepard Library, 790 N Nelson Rd.
August 20, 10:30AM, Driving Park Library, 1566 E. Livingston Ave.
August 25, 6:30PM, Whetstone Library, 3909 N. High St.
September 1, 6:30PM, Northwest Library, 2280 Hard Rd.

Residents need to send in payment of $45, with a limit of one per household, and register for a workshop in order to receive the RainStation, or orders can be made online. For more information about the program, call 614-486-9613 or visit www.ColumbusRainBarrels.org.

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Central Ohio May Housing Update – Getting Warmer?

Written by: Joe Peffer

Buying in German Village? Bloomberg doesn't know that market.

Remember that when you read headlines about ‘the real estate market’ (unless you’re reading them here) the real estate market in question is not your market. It’s a mythical national housing market where the numbers make no sense when trying to make home buying decisions locally.

Below is the latest from the Columbus Board of Realtors. These figures are getting warmer but guess what, the numbers included in the Columbus Board of Realtors announcements include Delaware, Fayette, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union Counties and parts of Champagne, Clark, Hocking, Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Logan, Marion, Muskingham, Perry and Ross Counties.

You might just be concerned about the Franklin County numbers. Getting Warmer. Then again, if you’re selling your home in Clintonville, what do you care about how the Grove City figures look? You want to know what’s up in Clintonville. That’s what I’m here for. This, for example, is what’s up in Clintonville. Want to know what’s up in your neck of the woods? Ask.

Here is the Columbus Board of Realtors article on May numbers.

Housing activity increased in May

(June 21, 2011) The central Ohio housing market was active last month as more homes were put on the market and in contract compared to last year. There were 2,610 homes for sale that went into contract (but haven’t closed) which was up 44.8 percent over the 1,803 homes put in contract during May 2010 according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

As for inventory, there were 3,723 homes added to the market in May 2011, up 10.6 percent from the 3,366 new listings during the same month one year ago.

“In contracts and new listings are both important housing market indicators,” says Rick Benjamin, 2011 President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Having such strong increases in both areas is a healthy sign for the central Ohio housing market.”

Currently, there are approximately 15,146 residential homes available for sale in the central Ohio area – 12,322 single family homes and 2,824 condominiums.

Home prices continue to inch up, with May’s average sale price up 2.6 percent over April. However, May’s average sale price of $158,191 was down 4.7 percent from the same period in 2010.

Homes closed last month reached 1,875, up 15.7 percent over April home closings, but were down 25 percent from May of 2010.

“May of 2010 was a busy month for home sales as so many buyers were on their way to the closing table after meeting the home buyer tax credit deadline,” offers Benjamin. “But sales are up over 2009 when we were in the midst of the first round of home buyer tax incentives which is yet another positive sign.”

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Can the Scioto Mile, weeks from opening, Save the Southern End of Downtown Columbus Condos?

Written by: Joe Peffer

It will be magnificent but will it draw home buyers to Downtown Columbus Condos?

Today WOSU radio had a piece (partially excerpted below) asking this very question.  The new and fabulous Columbus Commons and this Scioto Mile park will be a draw for downtown Columbus. They might help sell homes, they might bring some people downtown, but they are merely a piece of the  puzzle.

The South end of downtown has more attraction than many might consider off the top of their head. It’s not as colorful as the Arena District, but there’s activity around. The fact is, condos have fallen out of favor among home buyers.

A Front Street, Main Street and Civic Center Drive free of construction…..now that’s attractive.

“The appeal of living in downtown Columbus gets a major boost this summer with the planned opening of the Scioto Mile – The park under construction along the Scioto River.

Property owners and housing developers hope the park will attract buyers, but they are having some difficulty doing that.

The $40 million Scioto Mile is expected to open early next month. The park winds its way from Bicentennial Park on the south side of downtown to the Arena District on the north. It includes wide greenspaces, walking paths, bikeways, plazas and a new signature fountain.
City leaders and property owners hope the revitalization project will boost values and stimulate commercial growth.
One property that stands to benefit is The Waterford Tower condominiums on West Main Street. The 19 -story tower overlooks Scioto Mile. Manager Mark Reader can’t wait for the park to open.

“Aesthetically it’s just beautiful, if you got up to our higher floors that face the north you can see the entire park. They’ve been testing the water with the lights, they have a new restaurant opening, an amphitheater. I think it’s going to provide a lot of entertainment, a lot of amusement,” said Reader.

But sales have been slow. Some 15 Waterford units are for sale out of 102. None was sold last year. Realtors say buyers want to wait until the park is finished. They also blame the age of the building – it’s 22 years old. And the newer downtown condos enjoy a ten-year tax abatement because of a city incentive program.”

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