“Look Both Ways” has been a movie about dealing with death. “Look Both Ways” has been the title of a book about relationships.  “Look Both Ways” has also been the name of an art show that integrated written and visual mediums.

And “Look Both Ways” is very familiar advice.  “Look both ways before you cross the street” is a lesson every kid learns before they ever hit the school ground.

It’s time for pedestrians, bicyclists and automobile travelers to look both ways on Civic Center Drive.  The thoroughfare now runs in two directions from Broad to Town.   The change is so new, it still inspires a little unfamiliar vertigo when traveling in the southbound lane.  And it’s so new, even developers have to remind themselves “Check both ways!”

This year’s amazing changes on Gay Street show us how two-way streets work as a lifeline to community development.  Now that Civic Center Drive has made the shift, and Front Street isn’t far behind, look for even MORE community-building in the coming month and years. 

Shopping, restaurants, residences and plenty of green space: you’ll want to look both ways to take it all in.

The revamped balustrade has met every safety standard in the industry.  Measure the lengths, check the angles: the structure holds strong against any torque.

But does it pass the toddler test?

Built in the 1920’s, the balustrade’s original design was breathtakingly beautiful, but a trifle unsafe by modern standards.  At issue was the distance between the columns: the gap was large enough to let slip a wayward child or pet.

So, our renovation process has had two goals: to restore the structure’s beauty and to make it safe.

To restore its beauty, the balustrade was completely disassembled, sandblasted and re-assembled.  The remedy for the safety hazard came in the simplest of forms: a gleaming steel bar fills each space between the columns.  The bars also create a harmony between the old limestone and its new ornamental metalwork.

After it passed all the safety tests, you just might have seen the design team out on the balustrade with a wily three-year old relative.  At zero elevation (where there was no risk of injury) the child tried mightily to wiggle through. 

And yes, the balustrade passed the toddler test.

Sure, every occupation has its insider-lingo, but who’d ever think that the no-nonsense world of construction would use jargon that’s so . . . adorable?

Messer Construction’s Jeff Ruschau oversees the development of the Scioto Mile Project. The project executive offered a beginner’s primer on universal construction vocabulary. Although it’s just normal language to him, the expressions are a novelty here in office-land.  

Toolbox Talk

A Toolbox Talk is an informational meeting that highlights important worksite safety information. Even when the topics are familiar (for example, the importance of paying attention), the reminders can save lives.  

PPE

A PPE might very well be the subject of a Toolbox Talk. The acronym stands for Personal Protection Equipment, such as hardhats and safety goggles.

Huddle Meeting

Huddle Meetings are daily occurrences at construction sites. The event is called a huddle, because the group remains standing as it plans for the day.  

The huddle format is actually a practice that’s been endorsed for other businesses. For some reason, meetings seem to run more efficiently when the participants are chair-less. 

Wonder why . . . 

A scenic overlook in the middle of Downtown Columbus?  

You betcha! The Town Street Prow is well on its way to becoming a scenic overlook . . . overlooking what?

Well, right now the view from Town Street spot overlooks river fill: lots of stone and recycled concrete rock. The terrain looks cool, but it’s not quite scenic . . . not yet.

The “river fill” builds a foundation for a new green space that expands all the way to Bicentennial Park. That stone will be grated and covered with topsoil, and that topsoil will be sown with plant-life (it will actually be flood-friendly foliage too, just in case).

The Town Prow functions like the prow of a ship: it’s a proud jutting front-piece that reaches forward. When it’s complete, Town’s Prow won’t be anything to “overlook.” It’ll be suitable for playing and picnicking and strolling all the way to Bicentennial Park.

So nice, it’ll happen twice. Another big scenic stretch is slated to run from Rich Street to Main.