Milo-Grogan
MAP
A quick recap of Milo-Grogan: traditionally blue-collar neighborhood (lots of Italians) built by the huge railroad yards nearby and saw 1/3 of the neighborhood bulldozed for highways (I-71 splits the neighborhood in half and I-670 acts as a wide buffer on the remaining southern end) and unlike German Village, has not bounced back yet. The neighborhood mainly functions as a stepping stone for suburban commuters speeding through along the highways or suburbanized main streets.
After entering the railroad bridge gateway to the neighborhood there's a bit of an incline. Here you can see where more homes once stood.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5184.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5186.jpg)
It figures that this residential street right that's the link closest to Italian Village would be the first to have a rainbow flag pop up.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5192.jpg)
Oh, hi doggy.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5189.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5195.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5198.jpg)
While some homes still need work you can see that a few improvements are going on here and it's doing better than the east half.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5200.jpg)
Ironic advertising: using the corpse of a dead local business for a McDonald's product that is vastly inferior to what is offered by numerous coffeeshops just west of here.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5205.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5207.jpg)
A common sight here and in the south end of neighboring North Central: industrial abutting residential. The fuschia trees are a nice touch.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5209.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5210.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5212.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5219.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5220.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5223.jpg)
This is I-71.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5224.jpg)
Crossing from this side
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5225.jpg)
to the other side.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5226.jpg)
I could hear work being done on the highway. How about ODOT spending some of that money on the neighborhood that they helped messed up?
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5227.jpg)
Here's the still usable outdoor area of the neighborhood recreation center. I was even invited to play some b-ball and was kinda tempted, but I was pretty busy.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5230.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5231.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5232.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5234.jpg)
A couple of businesses on St Clair: a bar and a grocery store (people still complain about Downtown not having a grocery store).
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5235.jpg)
E 5th Ave is the saddest street in Columbus. I just walked half a block east from St Clair and could feel my soul being sucked out by this trash-lined, ugly arterial road.
Mally Gal's Lounge: best bar you never heard of.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5239.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5242.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5243.jpg)
I hear this is rather good diner.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5246.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5249.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5250.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5253.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5254.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5255.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5256.jpg)
See? There's even trash growing on the trees here!
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5257.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5259.jpg)
Seriously, E 5th Ave is used as a trashcan by motorists passing through here and traffic is going 50MPH. It needs help real bad and is really nothing more than a mini-highway even though 670 is just a couple blocks south. Now for the NE quadrant continuing up St Clair.
Nice.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5261.jpg)
Ooh, a new playground.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5265.jpg)
Heading east...
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5266.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5267.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5268.jpg)
Umm, where are the sidewalks? What's happening? I think I'll head back to St Clair.
Not quite sure what it is, but I like it.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5262.jpg)
End of the road.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5269.jpg)
Another traffic calmed street: kids playing in the street and the driver slows down accordingly. I saw quite a few people hanging out on their porches here.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5272.jpg)
Is that Jewish graffiti on that house?
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5274.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5275.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5276.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5279.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5280.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5281.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5282.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5283.jpg)
Not a pedestrian-friendly street.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5286.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5288.jpg)
Actually, that's probably not good for those residents' property values. What @ssholes.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5292.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5296.jpg)
Where the sidewalk ends.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5297.jpg)
Ice cream!
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5299.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5301.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5302.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5304.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5311.jpg)
Some of the friendly residents.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_5308.jpg)
And few bonus shots of Cleveland Ave from Fall 09.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_2929.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_2928.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/Milo-Grogan/IMG_2932.jpg)
North Central
MAP
North Central is a large, unknown neighborhood, one of the most off-the-beaten-path places around. Industrial, rural, residential, ghetto, all rolled into one. It's rather sparsely populated and the city has divided it into several sub-neighborhoods.
![Image](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3277331868_a976856e04.jpg?v=0)
(from the city of Columbus *American Addition and Leacrest have been combined in this map into "Amer Crest", probably a typo since there was an article on the area where it's called the easier to pronounce "Americrest")
I covered Devon Triangle and American Addition. So, yeah, here you go.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/101_2616.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/101_2639.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/101_2644.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/101_2645.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/101_2648l.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/101_2651.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0088.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0090.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0091.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0093.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0095.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0096.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0098.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0102.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0103.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0104.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0105.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0106.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0109.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0111.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0112.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0117.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0118.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0120.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0122.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0123.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0124.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0127.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0128.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0133.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0136.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0138.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0139.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0141.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0142.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0143.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0145.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/North%20Central/IMG_0144.jpg)
East Columbus
MAP
The neighborhood of East Columbus (scroll down) tells the same sad story of other near-northeast neighborhoods: industrial and cultural decline, disinvestment from the city, isolation from the city, etc. Maybe I'm not as optimistic, but the only change I saw was very superficial, in the form of new signage. East 5th Ave is still a traffic sewer and businesses have closed while other commercial buildings sit abandoned. I checked out a National Night Out Kickoff event there, but the event took place in a local park tucked away in a residential area, not out on the main street. It takes a good imagination to imagine what it was like in it's heyday, but even a dilapidated neighborhood business district is better than none at all. I mainly focused on E 5th Ave and went off to a couple of residential streets. In the central and northern part are large industrial areas which I only grazed.
Welcome to East Columbus!
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1727.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/101_2631.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/101_2632.jpg)
A bar lost in time. Weird place. I recommend stopping in.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/101_2634.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1719.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1720.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1721.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1724.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1726.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1728.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1729.jpg)
A nice surprise.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1730.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1731.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1732.jpg)
Here's another view.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1733.jpg)
This is pretty cool.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1734.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1736.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1737.jpg)
Rather common in numerous Columbus neighborhoods: residential right next to industrial. Smelled kinda funny around here.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1738.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1740.jpg)
The National Night Out Kickoff.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1742.jpg)
Who knew Krumm Park had a lake? (If you even knew Krumm Park existed)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1743.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1744.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1746.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1747.jpg)
God. Damn. Cars.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1750.jpg)
At least there's a market.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1754.jpg)
I was half tempted to check out the café part.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1755.jpg)
Talk about mixed use. Wow.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1756.jpg)
This used to be a bar and the only difference is that the name was on the sign in green lettering. Was I missing out?
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1757.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1758.jpg)
This is one case where a building burning down isn't such a bad thing. Unfortunately, this dumpy motel is poised to come back due to the fire restoration sign not in the picture. If it was a nice building you can be sure we would have found a reason to tear it down for good.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1759.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1760.jpg)
Fancy COTA sign, but how about including, I dunno, a bus schedule?
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1761.jpg)
I'm not quite sure what's open for lunch.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1762.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1764.jpg)
A bit of residential just south of here across the tracks from Bexley. This corner feels the safest.
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1766.jpg)
![Image](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/Columbusite/East%20Columbus/IMG_1768.jpg)