2.19.19 UPDATE: The East Franklinton Review Board voted to approve demolition of the 1912 West Side Spiritualist Church at their meeting today to clear the site for Homeport’s plan for a 50-unit affordable housing building. Conditions of approval include approval of Low Income Housing Tax Credits; approval of new building design; and Section 106 Review. It is anticipated the earliest date that demolition may occur is May 2019. In the meantime, Columbus Landmarks will continue to advocate for this important building.
READ OUR 2.19.19 COMMENTS TO EAST FRANKLINTON REVIEW BOARD »
VIEW 1.15.19 REVISED CONCEPTUAL PLAN »
READ COLUMBUS LANDMARKS’ 1.7.19 LETTER TO EAST FRANKLINTON REVIEW BOARD »
Affordable Housing + Historic Preservation = WIN
We agree that affordable housing is Priority #1 for our rapidly growing city. But may we point to any number of larger, vacant parcels in the vicinity? Or better still – build on this small parcel with the church as the centerpiece of a signature, Franklinton pride-worthy design. Historic Preservation Tax Credits can help get the job done!
Adaptive Reuse over Demolition
Some will ask what can be done with a vacant, historic church? The possibilities for adaptive reuse are endless, but let’s start with just three productive examples where it has worked really well in our city:
1. Welsh Church »
2. First Baptist Church »
3. Christian and Missionary Alliance Church »
Sustainable Columbus
It’s ironic this announcement arrives as our City prepares to adopt climate change measures. The development proposal would not only haul tons of wasted materials to the landfill but also sacrifice all of the embodied energy of a 106-year-old building.
Franklinton is an Arts District brimming with people inspired by AUTHENTICITY. New, thoughtful infill development is adding more vibrancy, attracting new residents and businesses, creating jobs, and connecting neighbors east to west. But let’s work together to preserve the precious few remaining historic assets that are not only the physical evidence of Franklinton in an earlier heyday, but the potential catalyst for something truly INSPIRING and uniquely COLUMBUS … and not what you see in a generic anyplace.
Save the Church!
c1891 First Spiritualist Church at 79 McDowell St. in Franklinton
Photo: Cols Metro Library, Columbus Memory Collection > Doug Davis 1913 Flood Collection View of the West Side Spiritualist Church at 75 McDowell Street. The flood destruction of the Doddington Company Lumber Yard can be seen in the foreground.
Yeah, this probably isn’t the historic preservation hill to die on. The Land Bank put at an RFP for this church a couple of years ago. We looked at it. So did a lot of other developers. The building itself has a hard floor plate to work with, the roof pitch is steep and immediate so there’s no room for fly space if you wanted to do a theater, it would be a great restaurant or community space, but we couldn’t figure out how to make that cash flow, with or without Federal/State historic tax credits. I assume that the other developers studying it came to the same conclusion, which is why nobody bought the building.
Affordable housing it at least a reasonable outcome for the site.
YES!!!!
Columbus has been a DISPOSABLE CITY!
I THOUGHT Columbus politicians and controlling factions LEARNED A LESSON during the DESTRUCTION of the Neil House and Mill Restaurant, our Railroad Depot (dastardly night destruction to AVOID COURT ORDERED STAY OF EXECUTION- saving only one ARCH), the near loss (and auction off of all interior furnishings already) of the lovely Ohio Theatre (home of the annual Nutcracker), and loss of others.
Guess those people are gone or dead now… FAILING TO PASS ON WHAT WAS “DISCOVERED”.
STILL STANDING 106 year old building DESERVES TO BE SAVED…. ANOTHER “STAY OF EXECUTION”, please.
Can the church be moved and do so cost effectively?
The East Franklinton Review Board asked this question at their business meeting last week. There was a discussion of the inherent challenges and cost associated with moving a building. They asked Homeport to conduct a feasibility study regarding saving a portion of the church, such as the facade. We believe the context and site matter, and that the building or a portion of it should be reused in place.
I’m 1000% behind saving all of our Historic buildings! As you know only about 25% of our 100+year old buildings remain in CBUS so every single one is a priority to maintain!
What’s the status of this? Turns out my family owned this church in the 1930’s and I would really hate to see more history torn down. I have some ideas on what to do with this space. Where do I start? who can I talk to?