Thanks! I think we will do it as drawn. It just seems like a longer wall/no view when you walk down the stairs. Have to go around that corner to see the other part of the room. That was our only concern. Wanted it more open.

It looks very likely that that wall is not load bearing. I'd consider moving the wall more toward the right so the post can be on it's own and the wall blocks less view.

Nevermind, sorry, looking closer I can see the beam doesn't continue through the rest of the ceiling.

Here is a thought of how to keep a view and integrate the column with the wall:

Is there a reason the mechanical room has to be so large? What's going in there that requires half of the square footage of the basement?

If you really don't need that much room for the furnace, water heater, etc., why not push that wall/door back as a continuation of the bathroom wall? The post can remain and it would open the space in front of the stairs.