By: Samuel T. Cogley

Samuel T. Cogley
Thu, 22 Mar 2018 17:04:11 +0000

Building, building, building. Lots of ridiculously overpriced apartments and equally overpriced commercial spaces (only national chains will have the capital to open in them) that no one, save the developers and real estate types who sit on the OSU Board of Trustees, really wants. Makes one wonder what kind of sweetheart deals are being cut behind the scenes, and how much all in involved are raking in--whether the entire thing collapses or not. The Gateway has pretty much been a failure: only two bar/restaurants and the theater have survived long term: the former because of liquor sales, largely during football season, and the latter because it's subsidized by the university. I mean, the university has taken over a fair portion of the Gateway for administrative office space (yep, always about administration nowadays). But I suppose that's the very model of a modern major university... in some people's eyes. Also, why bother building all these apartments when the university is busy slashing budgets to academic departments and programs? Who's going to need to live in these overpriced joints when there aren't enough classes being offered? But as long as the football team does well and prospective students are wowed by the amenities like RPAC, the people of Ohio will likely not do or say anything. More's the pity.