Proposal
from The Druker Company
The Vision and The Program
Development
Goals
The Druker Company, along with Elkus/Manfredi Architects
and other members of the development team, have pursued development goals
for University Gateway Center which are influenced by the various market
studies and master planning done by and on behalf of Campus Partners,
as well as our numerous discussions, meetings and input from the stakeholders
in University Gateway Center over the last six months. Such input was
further enhanced by the information gleaned from a student focus group
and survey which we commissioned Blackwell Associates to conduct last
fall (discussed later in this proposal).
The broad concepts of our development goals include the following:
- To respect the continuity and "essential" character of High Street
while infusing it with new life and energy and making a special statement
that announces University Gateway Center as a celebrated entrance to,
and in close association with, The Ohio State University. Given its
sensitive location at the "front door" of the University, as well as
its ongoing intimate relationship to the university population, University
Gateway Center is appropriately named, in our opinion.
- To adhere to the traditional values of "Main Street" where retail,
office and housing are horizontally layered and to create a synergy
and sense of place, where people want to, and do in fact, "gather to
"meet and greet," shop, work and live.
- To create a design which is forward looking while employing architectural
elements of the existing High Street building vernacular.
- To establish a pedestrian friendly, safe environment, which becomes
a gathering spot, incorporating the vocabulary of lively, welcoming
and successful urban settings, (e.g., comfortable open space, outdoor
seating, etc.).
- To offer an array of retail shops, entertainment venues and services
that present options appealing to the varied market segments served
by University Gateway Center.
- To generate sufficient critical mass, life and activity which has
a positive "spillover effect" for High Street and the University District
as a whole, serving as a catalyst for public and private investment,
job creation, home ownership and the like.
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