Task force suggests improvements to University Area

                                                       6-3-94

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS ACTIONS TO IMPROVE UNIVERSITY AREA

     COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Area Improvement Task
Force released its recommendations for revitalizing the
neighborhoods east of North High Street at a news conference
Thursday (6/2).

     In its report, the 17-member task force outlined procedures
necessary to improve the neighborhoods around the university and
to provide for the safety and security of students and residents.

     Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee established the task
force last January and asked that it prepare a report with
recommendations by the end of spring quarter.

     Participating in the news conference were Gee, Columbus
Mayor Greg Lashutka and James L. Nichols, treasurer of the
university and chair of the task force.

     Among the task force's recommendations:

     -- Establish a system to centralize community affairs among
the City of Columbus, the university and the community.

     -- Establish a safe environment in the University Area using
unique programs.

     -- Examine public and social services provided to the area
and establish what level of services are required for such a
densely populated area.

     -- Identify or create a not-for-profit "improvement/
redevelopment" corporation that would address housing and service
issues and help identify funding sources.

     -- Establish a central data gathering and communication
distribution network.

     -- Develop a comprehensive plan for the immediate future, as
well as for the long term.

     -- Extend the university's facilities, programs and research
initiatives to the area and encourage area businesses and
organizations to reciprocate.

     -- Create initiatives for home ownership.

     -- Identify resources and funding to empower community
organizations.

     -- Enhance the public schools in the area.

     -- Work with college students to convince them that certain
behavior in the University Area is not acceptable.

     -- Establish design review and construction standards
consistent with the historical character of the neighborhoods.

     -- Implement "some early impact initiatives" by the
university and the City of Columbus "to demonstrate commitment,
establish momentum, and build a base for later efforts."

     During the news conference, Mayor Lashutka told reporters
that the major themes of the task force's report are important
and that "we will work with the university as a partner" to
improve the University Area.

     He supports the creation of a not-for-profit redevelopment
corporation for the University Area and closer cooperation
between the city and the university.  "That town and gown
relationship can be tightened," he said.

     President Gee told reporters that the report "is a good
start, but it is only a start."  Although much must to done to
improve the quality of life in the area, he noted that some
projects, such as an upgrade of the street lighting, have already
begun.

     Ohio State is not going to wall off its students, faculty
and staff from the neighborhoods, Gee said.  "We are going to
extend our hand to the community."

     He emphasized that the recommendations of the task force
will not languish.  "Our students clearly deserve nothing less
than our all-out effort," he said.

     Last January, Gee charged the task force with making
recommendations to revitalize and improve the quality of life in
the neighborhoods adjacent to Ohio State.  The task force
included representatives from the City of Columbus, community and
business groups, and the university's Board of Trustees, faculty,
staff, administrators and students.

     In developing its report, the task force gathered student
demographic data, sponsored focus groups to consider the future
of the area, visited other urban universities and held public
forums.

     Besides Nichols, members of the task force are: George
Bavelis, Columbus Apartment Association; James R. Ebright,
Council of Graduate Students; Pasquale C. Grado, University
Community Business Association; Billy Hill, athletic trainer at
Ohio State University; Ron Hupman, University Area Commission;
Connie Klema, Inter-Professional Student Council; Janet Pichette,
vice president of business and administration at Ohio State;
Ronald Poole, executive assistant to the mayor; Jesse A. Scott
Jr., University Community Association; George A. Skestos, member
of the university's Board of Trustees; Christopher Smith,
Undergraduate Student Government; Ronald Solomon, Faculty
Council; David J. Strauss, coordinator of greek affairs at Ohio
State; Doreen Uhas-Sauer, University District Organization; Judy
Varhola, Staff Advisory Committee at Ohio State; and David
Williams II, vice president for student affairs at Ohio State.
                                
                                #

Contact: James L. Nichols, (614) 292-6261.


[Submitted by: STERRETT  (sterrett@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Fri, 03 Jun 1994 18:28:06 -0500 (EST)]
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