Plus, Taylor Swift fans can enjoy a special wine tasting event.
 
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38º | Cloudy | 10% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:53 a.m. | Sunset 5:23 p.m.

 

Become privy to these privies

Become privy to these privies: Columbus’ new modular public restroom

A grey, cylindrical facility on a sidewalk with a photo of a rose on the door and a "restroom" sign next to the door.
The loos can be wrapped in vinyl, made in a variety of colors, and display advertisements. | Photo via The Portland Loo
The problem: A serious lack of public restrooms, even (and sometimes, especially) in the densest of US cities.

Enter: The Portland Loo, a modular, stand-alone, free toilet that lies somewhere between your traditional public restroom and a porta-potty.

Originating in Portland, OR (who could’ve guessed, huh?), the bathroom works to address common concerns surrounding public toilets in cities — such as cleanliness and upkeep — and can be found in locations across the US and Canada. After years of planning, they are open right here in Columbus.

What’s new about this loo?

  • Cleanliness | The coating of the bathrooms makes them particularly easy to clean, and all cleaning + maintenance supplies are located in a cabinet within the unit.
  • Price | While installation can be on the pricier side, the loo utilizes common components that are typically easy and cheaper to replace. Plus, each bathroom can be solar-powered, making it good for the earth and the city or organization’s wallet.
  • Aesthetic | The stainless steel paneling of the bathrooms features graffiti-proof coating, and the simple, sleek design fits in with most environments.
  • Safety | Created with input from Portland authorities, the bathroom was specifically designed for safety. Angled louvers (slats) in the walls allow for loud noises to escape while maintaining the occupant’s privacy.
  • Durability | The fixtures used are meant to be durable. If they do need to be replaced, they’re sourced from Portland rather than abroad, making the repair process quicker.
  • Ease of use | Hand washing stations are attached to the outside of the bathrooms, encouraging quick use to serve more bathroom-goers. Plus, each facility is ADA-accessible.

Where these latrines can be seen

  • COTA headquarters, 33 N. High St.
  • Uptown district, corner of High Street + Long Street
  • Downtown, intersection of Broad Street + Third Street
Asked

Where else in Columbus would you add a Portland Loo?

Let us know
Events
Monday, Oct. 30
  • Rod Wave | Monday, Oct. 30 | 8 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District | $130-$230 | This Florida-based singer and rapper has 9+ million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
  • Mrs. Doubtfire | Tuesday, Oct. 31-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Downtown | $24-$115 | Watch this on-stage performance of the beloved Robin Williams hit film.
Wednesday, Nov. 1
Thursday, Nov. 2
100+ more local events
Click here to have your event featured.
Drink

Discover a world of flavor in Gahanna, the Herb Capital of Ohio

Discover a world of flavor in Gahanna, the Herb Capital of Ohio

Presented by a CBUStoday Partner
aerial shot of Gahanna, Ohio
Gahanna awaits. | Photo by Visit Gahanna
It’s back by popular demand. Visit Gahanna’s Herbal Cocktail Trail returns with seasonal, herb-infused libations to enjoy during happy hours, date nights, and more. The trail, originally launched by Visit Gahanna in 2017 to celebrate the city’s herbal roots, enlists Gahanna’s signature restaurants, bars + pubs to create tasty cocktails that represent the Herb Capital.

This year, nine establishments are participating and visitors who complete the trail now through Thursday, Nov. 30 will score a set of “Herbal Cocktail Trailblazer” commemorative coasters.

How it works

Download and print a passport, or pick it up in person at the Gahanna Visitor Center (110 Mill St., Gahanna) and start planning your route. For each participating business you visit, you’ll receive a stamp on your passport. Once you accumulate six stamps, bring your passport to the Gahanna Visitor Center (open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. + Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) to claim your gift.

Bonus: After Nov. 30, the trail will be reinvented with new stops and a new prize.
The Herbal Cocktail Trail awaits
News Notes
Weather
  • Temperatures are falling fast this autumn, and the National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for Tuesday, Oct. 31. The watch is in effect from 2-10 a.m. Tuesday morning with temperatures as low as 27. (The Columbus Dispatch)
Development
  • The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium broke ground on its $40 million project to transform the North America Trek region, the oldest region of the Zoo. Phase one will create new habitats for North American species like Mexican wolves, black bears, and bald eagles.
Real Estate
  • A WWII-era Upper Arlington home at 2396 W. Lane Ave. is on the market for $2.3 million. The four-bedroom home was built in 1942 and features golf course views, three wood burning fireplaces, and is 5,000 sqft.
Trending
  • 1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is out now. Savor Pint wants to help the Swifties celebrate on Saturday, Nov. 7 by hosting a wine tasting while playing her new album. Tickets are $20, grab them before they sell out.
Answered
  • We shared 12 bakeries that locals love, and our readers responded back with more additions. Be sure to try Cherbourg Bakery, Three Bites Bakery, and The Goodie Shop — and we’ll add them to our list as well.
Finance
  • $300 is the new $200. This card is offering a rare $300 welcome bonus, and bonuses like that don’t come around that often. That’s why thousands are lining up for it. Learn more and apply.*
Biz

Eyes on the sky

A definitive ranking of the tallest buildings in Columbus

CBUStoday tallest towers graphic.png
The Rhodes Tower is also the fifth tallest in Ohio. | Graphic by CBUStoday
Columbus’ skyline has changed a lot over the years, and that isn’t stopping anytime soon.

From the new Hilton Downtown hotel opening to construction starting on the North Market’s Merchant Building, new builds are already shaking things up. But how do these towers stack up to previous builds? Let’s find out.

Top five

When you fly over Columbus, these are the tallest towers you will instantly recognize:
  1. Rhodes State Office Tower | 624 ft
  2. LeVeque Tower | 555 ft
  3. William Green Building | 530 ft
  4. Huntington Center | 512 ft
  5. Vern Riffe State Office Tower | 503 ft
The new Hilton hotel is currently No. 12 in the city at 361 ft. The Merchant Building is expected to be 330+ ft, which would place it at No. 16 on the list.
How Columbus stacks up against the state + world
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor
How’s this for a small world? I spent my weekend in a wedding with my childhood best friend and discovered a CBUStoday reader in the mix. It turns out one of the groomsmen’s mom is an avid reader of the newsletter. Shout out to Cora L., and thanks so much for reading each day.
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