My long-awaited return, now in Columbus.

It's been a long summer since I was last here, and a lot has happened since then. I've started and left a part-time job, ridden the new Maverick at Cedar Point, ridden coasters at Geauga Lake for the last time ever, traveled to our nation's capital to ride coasters, see baseball, the Simpsons Movie, and ride their great Metro, and a few other things.

Oh, and for the first time in over 20 years, I've relocated, though it's not truly on permanent basis. I've relocated to The Ohio State University in Columbus, and am studying in the 3+-year Master of Architecture program at Knowlton School of Architecture. Making this move, I believe, and hope, will be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I needed a change of scenery, and it's not too bad, living on the 11th floor of the Graduate Tower on campus. Not only is there a nice view of the campus from above, the view to the south of Downtown Columbus is awesome.

I don't have a car, and honestly, knowing what my first 2/3 of the year has been for me, that can't be too bad, since I can either walk or take COTA, Columbus' bus system to some places. There's a good shuttle out to a shopping center with Target, AMC Theatres, Staples, and other stores. The bus up and down High Street is also great, especially to go to Short North district, the Arena District, Downtown, and north to Clintonville. Downtown has some great pros (and cons), with the Arena District, some good high-rises, theatres, and the like. However, the state of Columbus City Center (mall) has been depressing for the past several years, especially when Lazarus closed its great downtown store. Now Macy's (formerly Kaufmann's) is closing... It's odd how Cincinnati now seems to have the most vibrant downtown now.

As for the schooling, you could say "challenging" would be a nice word to describe it. Up to 12 hours a week in group critique sessions, and "banal" being the new "bullsh**..." it's not combat duty in Iraq, but it can be rough. But like our servicemen and women overseas, I think my role and hard work will mean something one day.

One thing Bengals and Colts fans agree on...

It's not quite the rivalry that the Bengals have with the Steelers or Browns, but you think it would be since Cincinnati is only about two hours away from Indianapolis. There might be a debate on who has the better team, better QB, offense, defense, coach, etc.

But there seems to be a consensus on who has the better downtown. Last week, the Cincinnati Enquirer asked readers what city has a better downtown: they loudly responded that it's the hometown of the Colts that's on top.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/BIZ01/612180318/1076

Hundreds of specialty retailers, restaurants and clubs. Dozens of theaters, museums, parks and sports venues. More than 5,000 hotel rooms. A huge convention center that's being expanded - again. Nearly 10,000 single-family homes, condos and apartments. A supermarket.

That's not just a wish list for downtown Cincinnati; it's what downtown Indianapolis already has.

Ten years after its $319 million Circle Centre shopping mall opened, downtown Indianapolis has a multitude of downtown workers, shoppers, residents and out-of-town visitors who bring these places to life and keep them in business.

There's no doubt Cincinnati has some great qualities, even advantages, in its downtown and core: a great history, remarkable architecture, visual and performing arts, riverfront setting, great hills, major league baseball, and so on. Oh, and Kings Island is in Cincy's metro area.

Indianapolis, however, is much more vibrant after 5PM - and more than just an botique arts district full of young professionals. When it comes to football towns, not all the fans are hanging out in the parking lots tailgating in Indianapolis; they're shopping and dining at the restaurants at Circle Centre. Many of the hotels, stores, restaurants, and businesses are accessible via the skywalk to the Convention Center and RCA Dome - everything just seems more together. The Lucas Oil Stadium, to open in 2008, seems a little disconnected from downtown, but because of its retractable roof, can be used year-round and for events well beyond football.

However, in Cincinnati, the stadium just seems disconnected from downtown - it's surronded by a big parking lot, and whaterver is downrown seems hidden between shuttered office buildings. I know that potential is there, with the Banks, and new restaurants going in around Fountain Square, but it's going to be some time- even with residents moving into downtown. And we still have the Bengals and Hamilton County arguing over who is responsible for what at Paul Brown Stadium...

And don't forget about UniGov - Indianapolis and Marion County have worked together for about 40 years, while Cincinnati and Hamilton County are experts at the game of finger-pointing.