Brent Warren
@brentincolumbus.bsky.social
Columbus Underground reporter covering urban development, neighborhoods, transit, bike infrastructure & more. Author of Columbus in 50 Maps https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/columbus-in-50-maps-9781540270023 brent@columbusunderground.com
The Democrats' big climate law created over 500 factories across the country. 9 in 10 of them are still moving forward, under a president who promised to kill them. Plus they gave the Democrats 2.5 million more votes. The climate law worked. Read more on substack. electricnotes.news/p/no-the-dem...
The latest timeline and details for the two 13-story dorms being renovated and the one that will be torn down: columbusunderground.com/osu-dorm-ren...
columbusunderground.com
That’s enough to build multiple new subway lines in every US city above a million people
The New York Times@nytimes.com · 3d agoBreaking News: A new class of warships backed by President Trump will cost 50% more than expected, for a total cost of $275 billion.
Looks like another gravel lot in this corner of downtown will be filled in: columbusunderground.com/apartments-p...
Apartments Planned for Downtown Parking Lot - Columbus Underground
Plans are advancing to turn a gravel parking lot a block west of the North Market into apartments. The Arena District site, long-owned by an affiliate of local building supplier Hamilton Parker, is a ...
columbusunderground.com
They could always sign up to give comment at a public meeting.
The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · 4d agoNew York City’s business elites are long accustomed to direct access to City Hall, where even Democratic mayors felt the need to court the city’s wealthiest and most influential corporate leaders. That access is getting shredded by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
More info from the mayor about the decision to scrap the courthouse project:
Mayor Defends Courthouse Cancellation, City Council Weighs In - Columbus Underground
Mayor Andrew Ginther announced last week that the city will not be building a new Franklin County Municipal Courthouse and will renovate two existing buildings instead. The news came after lots of wor...
columbusunderground.com
Brent Warren@brentincolumbus.bsky.social · last wk.This is very surprising to me, the site is fenced off and the work to clear the park had started (all the trees taken out) columbusunderground.com/mayor-cancel...
also the ohio state fair is fairly easy to bike to, especially with the new protected bike lane on 4th (bike parking is available at the 11th street entrance)
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 6.66% on average Thursday.
Mortgage rates hit their highest level in a year, driven by war and inflation concerns
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 6.66% on average Thursday.
n.pr
This is very surprising to me, the site is fenced off and the work to clear the park had started (all the trees taken out) columbusunderground.com/mayor-cancel...
Mayor Cancels $335 Million Courthouse Project - Columbus Underground
Citing rising costs and a shaky economy, Mayor Andrew Ginther announced this week that the plan to build a new Franklin County Municipal Courthouse at the corner of South High and East Mound streets w...
columbusunderground.com
$100 billion. That's a rough estimate of how much the Trump administration's chaos has cost the US economy since January 2025
The Economic Cost of Chaos Is Real and Rising
Even by the standards of this White House, last week was a lot. On Monday, President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on Canadian goods via a Depression-era statute that has never been used (and might be defunct). On Tuesday, he set a 100% tariff on generic drugs but delayed it until 2028. His team waited until Thursday evening to announce legally-dubious “forced labor” tariffs that would replace legally-dubious “balance-of-payments” tariffs that were set to expire at midnight on Friday and th
bloom.bg
Lots of good updates from Tuesday's downtown commission meeting, including a new map showing the plan to build on a not insignificant chunk of Columbus State's 4,500 parking spaces:
YMCA Design and Larger Plan for Columbus State Campus Presented to Commission - Columbus Underground
The latest design for a new YMCA and childcare center was presented to the Downtown Commission this week. Representatives of Columbus State Community College and YMCA of Central Ohio were on hand to w...
columbusunderground.com
"Last year, the Trump administration delayed a $10 million grant that was supposed to help Minnesota thin out about 4,000 acres of dense, dry forest at high risk of burning... now, some of those areas are on fire." www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...
‘We were shovel-ready’: A Minnesota forest hit by DOGE cuts is now ablaze
Officials said losing out on the ability to do vital prevention work at a perilous time for the region hindered them from being as prepared as they could have been.
washingtonpost.com
ICYM the Trader Joe's news from yesterday: columbusunderground.com/plans-submit...
Plans Submitted for New Trader Joe's Store in Columbus - Columbus Underground
Permits have been filed with the City of Columbus for a new stand-alone Trader Joe’s in the Polaris area. Submitted plans show a 12,500-square-foot building at 2109 Ikea Way, which is currently an emp...
columbusunderground.com
I'll be on WOSU's All Sides with Amy Juravich this morning at 10am to talk about ADUs! www.wosu.org/show/all-sid...
How can Accessory Dwelling Units help address housing needs in Columbus?
In Columbus, a possible solution to the housing crisis could be as close as your backyard.
wosu.org
First proposal in some time for the EFRB, which I don't think has actually met yet this year:
Scaled-Down Proposal for Franklinton Site to be Heard by Board - Columbus Underground
A new plan for 610 W. Town St. will be heard by the East Franklinton Review Board at its July meeting. Proposed for the site is a three-story, 40-unit apartment building. The one-story brick building ...
columbusunderground.com
We got a sneak-peak, you can check it out yourself during the fair: columbusunderground.com/first-look-o...
columbusunderground.com
Grateful for the coverage from @colsunderground.bsky.social When federal solar tax credits disappeared, Columbus didn't wait — they built a local rebate to fill the gap. Register for the Columbus Area Solar Co-op. We'll be at the Shepard Branch Library on 8/1 to talk solar. Come check it out. 🌞
Columbus Underground@colsunderground.bsky.social · 3w agoJust trying to tread water on clean energy: columbusunderground.com/city-solar-r...
Not many people seem to know about this, but the city is currently offering a 20% rebate (up to $5k per household) on the cost of a solar installation:
City Solar Rebate (Almost) Replaces Federal Tax Credit Cancelled by Trump - Columbus Underground
If you’re a Columbus resident and high energy bills have you thinking about installing solar panels on your home, this summer might be a good time to do it. Enrollment is open through the end of Augus...
columbusunderground.com
we took a tour late last week of Astor Park:
Hard Hat Tour: Astor Park - Columbus Underground
The first residential units in the Astor Park development are on track to be delivered by the fourth quarter of next year. A recent tour of the construction site revealed plenty of progress since last...
columbusunderground.com
My worlds collide! I appreciate that such a thing as "Ohio Bicycle Users Cartographic Society" once existed.
every gardener i follow is going absolutely hogwild flexing that they eat lettuce from behind their house. i've never seen gardeners act like this in my life. this is our super bowl. this is our olympics. gold medal in shitting normally
it's the biggest technological revolution of our lifetimes and you almost never hear about it (because it threatens to bankrupt many of the fossil fuel interests who currently run our society)
lines down@linesdown.bsky.social · 3w agoThe growth of solar energy in Pakistan
didn't know he was from Columbus, an East grad!
Columbus City Schools@colscityschools.bsky.social · 3w agoWe join the East High School community in mourning the loss of distinguished CCS alumnus Halroy Williams, a proud 1953 graduate whose remarkable career in television and theater inspired generations. 🧡🖤 #OurCCS #LeadersGrownHere
N 4th bike lanes are now officially complete.. more info here and below: columbusunderground.com/citys-longes...
Vision Zero Columbus@visionzerocbus.bsky.social · 4w agoThe city's longest protected bike lane is now complete!🚲 Sturdy bollards and parking separate cyclists from vehicle traffic along N. 4th Street from Warren Street to Hudson Street. Through the @columbusdps.bsky.social Bike Plus plan and Vision Zero, we are building a safer, more connected Columbus.
it sure seems like I'm writing more stories about demolitions than new project announcements, wonder what that says about the state of our economy..
NRI to Demolish Long-Vacant West Broad Building - Columbus Underground
The former Byers Chevrolet dealership at 555 W. Broad St. in Franklinton will be demolished soon. The building’s owner, Nationwide Realty Investors (NRI), filed a demolition permit for the site earlie...
columbusunderground.com
Heading down to the festival now!..my panel is at 1, hope to see some of you there!
Belt Publishing@beltpublishing.bsky.social · last mo.A reminder that the Columbus book fair is this weekend, Saturday 10:00–6:00 and Sunday 10:00–5:00! I’m not sure what’s greater, the amount of books packed into my car or the enthusiasm I have for said books. Come snag a few!
