Long overdue Demolition of a Vacant Columbus Home on Long Street in Jan. 2012

The fact of the matter is that no one know what to do with our city’s vacant structures, Columbus has torn down 139 of them so far but you can’t demolish your way out of this problem.

The other day Columbus City Council met with area residents to discuss the issue and while it’s my opinion we need more action and less talk, solutions need to be brainstormed before they can be implemented.

One interesting idea came from City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer who suggested a ‘restoration partnership’ outlined in the Columbus Dispatch article from yesterday and excerpted here:

Vacant houses swamping city

Official suggests neighborhood leaders help find new owners
By Mark Ferenchik
The Columbus Dispatch

Friday January 6, 2012 7:38 AM

The message that Columbus officials gave last night on the crisis of vacant and abandoned homes plaguing city neighborhoods was clear: We don’t have enough money to solve this mess ourselves.

So they’re asking neighborhoods for help.

During the Columbus City Council hearing on how to deal with the spreading problem, City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. made a suggestion.

Area commissions and civic groups could help identify residents who would be interested in buying and fixing up tax-delinquent properties. The city then would acquire those homes through foreclosures and deed the properties to those people for the cost of the foreclosure process.

If those people didn’t follow through, the city would take back the property.

He called it a “restoration partnership.” The city alone can’t bring back neighborhoods, Pfeiffer said.

The city has been using about $50 million in federal neighborhood-stabilization money to deal with the foreclosure crisis in its hardest-hit neighborhoods: Franklinton, the Near East Side, the Hilltop, Linden and the South Side.

It has acquired homes with that money — it now has 900 properties in its land bank — and partnered with nonprofits to redevelop homes.

The city is using more than $3 million of that federal money to demolish homes. So far, it has torn down 139.

“When that money dries up, what are we going to do?” Pfeiffer asked.

There are now more than….click here to go to the Columbus Dispatch story and read the rest.

Need help navigating downtown Columbus Neighborhoods? Call me. 614-940-9100

As part of the Columbus Crossroads project, (i.e.-The I70-71 split fix by the ODOT) several ramp closures are in effect.

The ramp from 5th Avenue to I-71 south is closed until November 2012; the detour is Leonard Avenue.

These next two I use all the time but don’t mind the slightly less convenient alternates. Really, Downtown Columbus is so navigable and easy that these closures aren’t as big a deal as some whine about.

The ramp from I-670 east to Broad Street is closed permanently; the detour is Fourth Street to Goodale Avenue to High to Chestnut to Third to Broad, or I-670 east to Cleveland Avenue.

And the ramp from 71 south to Spring Street is closed until November 2013; the detour is Broad Street.

Need help navigating downtown Columbus Neighborhoods? Call me. 614-940-9100

Floor plan for two of the rehabbed Main Street condos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 26, 2011

CELEBRATION OF THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL ROAD
AND
RIBBON-CUTTING FOR OLD NATIONAL ROAD CONDOMINIUMS

(Columbus, OH) The Ohio National Road Association (”ONRA”), in partnership with Columbus Compact Corporation (”the Compact”), will host the City of Columbus’ celebration of the Bicentennial of the start of construction of the Historic National Road on May 4, 2011. During this celebration of the National Road, the entities will be dedicating Columbus’s 200th year anniversary gift to this All-American Road: a ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated historic homes and a memorial park in Olde Towne East.

This six-state National Road Bicentennial celebration will begin on May 2nd in Vandalia, Illinois, the western terminus of the National Road, America’s first Federally-funded interstate highway. A procession of vintage vehicles will be traveling east from Illinois through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, before arriving at the Road’s eastern terminus at Cumberland, Maryland for a May 7th celebration finale. As the procession approaches state lines, the next state will “pick up the bells” – a symbolic representation of the bells that adorned the Conestoga wagons and stage coaches that brought settlers and commerce to the newly-opened west, starting in 1811.

The Ohio National Road Association (ONRA) will “pick up the bells” in Richmond, Indiana on May 3rd. A small caravan of Model A, Model T, and other vintage cars, will carry the bells to Englewood, Ohio for an overnight stay. They will be leaving for Columbus at 7:30AM on May 4th, with plans to arrive in Franklinton, central Ohio’s oldest settled community, at National Road Mile Marker #260 near Tommy’s Diner (914 W. Broad Street) at 9:00AM.

Here City of Columbus Auditor Hugh Dorrian – serving in his 43rd year in that capacity, Franklin County Engineer and ONRA Board Chairman Dean Ringle, Franklinton Area Commissioner Carol Stewart and others will greet the travelers with a hot cup of coffee and recounting a brief history of Franklinton and Columbus. The public is invited to this informal gathering at Tommy’s Diner. The bells will then be transferred to a horse-drawn wagon, which will lead a small procession of cars through eastern Franklinton, downtown Columbus, and into Olde Towne East, following the historic alignment of the Road from West Broad Street, to South High Street, to East Main Street. Local historians will narrate this tour for invited special guests on the wagon, pointing out places of historical interest, and telling the story of the National Road in Columbus. In addition, this event will be covered by GTC-3, the City of Columbus television station for rebroadcast.

Once through downtown, the procession will travel to the Old National Road Condominiums, located at 1023 -1059 E. Main Street in the historic Olde Towne East neighborhood between 22nd and Ohio avenues. The condominiums are developed by Olde Towne East Restorations, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbus Compact Corporation. There, the Compact and ONRA will unveil Columbus’ 200th year gift to the National Road: newly renovated condominium units in 1890’s era houses and a National Road commemorative park in the development.
These homes are the first historic rehabs in the City of Columbus developed under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards for sustainable design and energy efficiency.

The Old National Road Condominiums are two and three bedroom condominium units feature 1,211 to 1,496 square feet of finished space, with historic pocket doors and wood trim and contemporary finishes, including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, and ceramic tile kitchen and bath floors. The units are priced from $89,900 to $105,950, with up to $5,000 in downpayment assistance available to qualified homebuyers who enter into a contract to purchase before June 30, 2011. In addition, the Old National Road Condominiums offer a Lease-Purchase program, whereby qualified households that are not quite ready to purchase can enter into a two-year lease, for the unit they plan to buy. Again, the $5,000 downpayment assistance is available for families that enter into a Lease Purchase Agreement by June 30, 2011 (smaller amounts of downpayment assistance will be available after June 30th).

With the tax abatement on the value of improvements and special financing programs offered by Huntington National Bank and Fifth Third Bank, a household can expect to purchase outright (or lease-purchase) a unit in a range of $680 – $800 per month, including all taxes, insurances, and condominium fees. With the extreme energy efficiency of these units that are expected to achieve LEEDTM Gold certification, there will not be a higher quality, more affordable place to live in Columbus. These units were financed in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, administered through the City of Columbus.

Included in the May 4, 2011 celebration will be the dedication of the Old National Road Heritage Park, at the corner of Main Street and Ohio Avenue; the unveiling of a plaque honoring the history of the National Road; and ribbon cuttings for each of the newly renovated houses. Mayor Michael B. Coleman will be speaking at the event and participating in the ribbon-cuttings and dedications, along with a host of other local, state and federal officials; housing developers and financiers; and neighborhood residents, business owners, and other stakeholders and interested parties.

The Compact’s Special Honored Guest is the granddaughter of the original builder of one of the homes and the commercial building, on the block. She will present several family photographs taken from her childhood, and will be available in a relaxed and informal setting to discuss her recollections of growing up in the 1920’s on the National Road in Olde Towne East. Light snacks will be served, and RSVPs torsvp@colscompact.com (or 251-0926 ext. 203) are requested.

Continuing eastward on the National Road after the ribbon cutting, a classic El Camino will “pick up the bells” from the carriage before zooming on to the National Trail Raceway near Hebron in Licking County, where they will be joined by larger vintage trucks. The procession will carry the bells to Zanesville later in the day.

The National Road was originally conceived by President George Washington as an all-weather road that would bridge the Allegheny Mountains. A bill authorizing the Road was signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson in 1806, and the National Road became the new nation’s first Federally-funded interstate highway. From Cumberland, Maryland where construction began on May 7, 1811, the Road stretches over 700 miles to Vandalia, Illinois near East St. Louis.

The National Road entered eastern Ohio in 1825, and was built through Columbus in 1833. The historic route of the National Road entered Columbus from the east on Friend Street (now Main Street), ran west down Main Street until turning north on High Street at the Great Southern Hotel and Theater, then turned west onto Broad Street and crossed the newly-built, toll-free Broad Street bridge before departing Columbus through Franklinton to the west.

The Road immediately attracted travelers and commerce, opening the state and much of the Old Northwest Territory to settlement, provided access for Ohio products to the burgeoning eastern markets, and enabled Ohio citizens to play an important role in the affairs of the new nation. At its time, an interstate highway was politically controversial, and resolution of the constitutional issues over

Federal funding of the Road was critical in defining the powers of the young nation’s Federal government for the future. It has been called “The Road that Built the Nation,” and is designated as both a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration. The All-American Road designation means the National Road is one of 31 roads that have features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and that are scenic enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. The National Road, known as “Main Street, U.S.A.”, has played a major role in shaping American history, culture, and lore.

Columbus Compact Corporation and the Ohio National Road Association cordially invite you to attend this event: Columbus’ recognition of the 200th year of the start of construction of the National Road, and our dedication and gift in honor of that occasion – newly renovated 1890’s era housing signaling the Road’s rebirth for the coming two centuries.

The Compact is a nonprofit community development corporation, which has a sixteen year history of catalyzing redevelopment in Columbus’s central city neighborhoods. Much of the Compact’s recent work has been in historic Olde Towne East. Recent Compact projects in the area include:

• The complete restoration of Old National Road Condominiums, taking 8 long-abandoned and blighting housing units and transforming them into energy efficient, state of the art condos with outstanding finishes ($1.6M)
• the complete restoration of Sherman Oak Condominiums, a long-abandoned and blighted 13-unit historic building saved from demolition by the investment by the Compact and its partners ($1.1 million)
• the development of the first new grocery in the Near East Area in 26 years, through the Heritage Square development at 1179-1181 E. Main Street featuring Save-A-Lot Food Stores and Simply Fashions women’s clothing ($2.4 million)
• the coordination of development activities and partial financing of COTA’s Near East Transit Center, featuring Nationwide Children’s Hospital Close to Home Center and Revol Wireless ($2.1 million)
• the rehabilitation of commercial buildings at Main Street and Champion Avenue, and leasing to Smothered Gravy Restaurant, Our Style Boutique, Alpha Computer and Security Systems, and Larry’s Lawn Service ($250,000)
• The rehabilitation an 1890’s era commercial building at 1051-1053 E. Main Street, which currently houses ComproTax Olde Towne East and Sweet Raine’s on Main, a carryout restaurant slated to open in June ($230,000)
• The renovation of other formerly vacant/abandoned scattered site single family and duplex properties in the area ($200,000)
• In addition, the Compact was a critical link in the development of the Salvation Army Regional Headquarters and East Main Service Center, at 966 E. Main Street ($3.2M), and the financing of Central Community House’s new headquarters and day care center at 1150 E. Main Street ($2.3M)

For more information, call ONRA’s Marian Vance at (614) 570-7504or visit ONRA’s web site at www.ohionationalroad.org. Jonathan Beard of Columbus Compact Corporation can be reached at (614) 251-0926 ext. 201, or at www.OldNationalRoadCondos.com orwww.colscompact.com).

– END –

This would seem to bode well for this fresh attempt to create an image for Columbus that combines some pretty heavy hitters locally. Frankly, I’m embarrassed by some of the items sold in the Columbus Airport souvenir shops.

What’s your idea for branding Columbus?

That’s when I point Buyers to one resource or another where they can find the information they’re looking for. As a data-loving map geek, I’ve always been very fond of ESRI and geographic information systems in general.

Recently they launched this zip code look-up tool which gives an attractive stash of information regarding the people who live in the zip code you’re querying.  Readers of this blog know that I can’t stand using zip codes when talking about the Columbus Real Estate market because they’re too broad and generally have no direct correlation to Columbus Neighborhoods–especially when trying to derive meaning from housing sales, days on market, active listings, etc.

Still, it’s pretty neat and I believe it’s based on 2010 census data or at least the last available data for Columbus. Try it below. Better yet, though, is a similar tool from ESRI that

Esri Zip Code Look-Up

is for your iphone.  The free version of their Business Analyst Online for iOS (download it here) provides a wealth of information regarding your immediate surroundings. You’re limited to a 1 mile radius or 1 minute drive time from your location but the info isn’t just a couple pretty graphs, it’s relatively detailed – though still just a sample of their data-rich paid subscription service.

IMHO, I rarely see or understand where huge amounts of money like this actually make it into our neighborhoods and make real differences.  Where does it go? I can’t answer that but if  there are new monies with a specific aim to, “create vital, healthy neighborhoods by implementing strategies that build a stronger housing real-estate market in weak-market areas of Columbus,” I’m all for it.

I’d like to follow the money trail from beginning to end and find out how it works through a proper accounting of these new funds…..

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Columbus$23.2 million in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2).

The funds, included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, will provide for the acquisition, rehabilitation, redevelopment, or demolition of foreclosed, abandoned and vacant properties. Housing Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is sponsoring ordinance 1240-2010 to appropriate $6,882,700.00 in various divisions and object levels of the General Grant Fund to provide funding for approved programs in order to create vital, healthy neighborhoods by implementing strategies that build a stronger housing real-estate market in weak-market areas of Columbus.

The city of Columbus is the Lead Applicant of the NSP2 Consortium which also includes Franklin County, the Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin County, Campus Partners, Columbus Housing Partnership, Community Development Collaborative of Greater Columbus, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus.

First time buyers could buy this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in Old Towne East for around $250K

This afternoon President Obama signed the bill into law that will extend the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30.

I’m surprised that they left the two month window but I think it’s very smart. Still, even if it were this week, I would not try to buy a short sale property or a foreclosure that doesn’t have the deed in the bank’s name even with the 7.5 month leeway.

Here’s the best part–a tax credit for SELLERS. The bill creates a $6,500 credit for those who buy a home after living in their current house at least five years. That will apply to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30. The current credit defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned a residence within the past three years.

The credit will be available only for the purchase of principal residences priced at $800,000 or less.

This is huge. If you have owned your Columbus area home for at least five years–and I believe you must have lived in the home for at least five of the last eight years–you too can receive a credit. I can’t envision a scenario where you could claim both sides of the tax credits unless it was something along the lines of you selling your home and then turning around and buying the next home in your new spouse or girl/boyfriend’s name who has not owned a home.

The bill will raise the adjusted gross income cap to $125,000 for single filers and $225,000 for joint filers. The amount of the credit currently begins to phase out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers.

This is important. It opens the tax credit up to a whole new set of first time buyers who were not previously eligible and who could, conceivably, purchase a home with a little higher price tag that this year’s crop of first time home buyers weren’t even looking at.

Mobile post sent by JoetheRealtor using Utterli.  Replies.  mp3 ]]> http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/11/06/thoughts-on-german-village-homes-4-sale/feed/ 0 http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/10/30/city-center-demolition-creates/ http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/10/30/city-center-demolition-creates/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:52:52 +0000 Joe Peffer http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/10/30/city-center-demolition-creates/

Mobile post sent by JoetheRealtor using Utterli.  Replies.  mp3 ]]> http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/10/30/city-center-demolition-creates/feed/ 0 http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/10/29/columbus-public-schools-update-closings-awards-annual-report/ http://columbushomesblog.com/2009/10/29/columbus-public-schools-update-closings-awards-annual-report/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:14:35 +0000 Joe Peffer http://columbushomesblog.com/?p=1118

Click here for a link to both the Financial and Academic Annual Report for the Columbus City School District

The idea of school closings can terrify a community.  Many local neighborhood schools in the City of Columbus, however, are experiencing declining attendance.  No community wants to see a giant unused building in the middle of it where a school used to reside but the bright side here is that the district has a plan. In the end, I believe that the plan will benefit all Columbus City School students.

Any real estate novice will tell you that good schools are good for local housing and great schools are great for resale. At the same time, a re-purposed school building, as opposed to a vacant one, will benefit a neighborhood–maybe even more than the original school. My hope is that, aside from temporary housing for other schools, any of these schools that do end up closing can become active participants in the community in which they reside and in a fashion benefiting the neighborhood.

District to Make Good on Levy Promise to Close Six Schools, Community Informational Meetings Dates Announced

As promised to voters, the district is developing a new K-12 student assignment plan, which makes effective use of the school buildings through balanced enrollment, aligned school feeder patterns, and high-quality academic programming at every school.

With the guidance of the Columbus City Schools (CCS) Board of Education policy,3226.1, the district has also committed to closing at least six school buildings.

This BOE policy establishes specific criteria for building closure including such factors as student enrollment trends, ability to maintain feeder patterns, educational programs, capacity, safety and access, relocation, diversity, accessibility, age and condition, and other factors.

Following the task force’s final recommendations, community meetings will be held to gather public comment throughout November before a final vote by the board in December. Pending community input and Columbus Board of Education approval, a modified reassignment plan would go into effect in for 2010-11 school year.

Click here for upcoming community meeting locations and dates, as well as the most up-to-date information.

Six Columbus Schools Named as Schools of Promise

Six Columbus schools have earned the designation of Schools of Promiseby the Ohio Department of Education. It is the largest number of any district in the state. All public elementary and secondary schools that administer the Ohio Achievement Test and the Ohio Graduation Test and receive a report card rating were considered for the recognition. A total 134 schools were named 2008-09 Schools of Promise.

“Columbus City Schools (CCS) is committed to providing a strong system of learning support that includes academic rigor,” said Columbus Superintendent Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., adding that the recognition is an honor for all the students and the staff districtwide.

The 2008-09 honorees (and the number of years as a School of Promise) are:

• Alpine ES (1)
• Berwick ES (2)
• Centennial HS (4)
• Columbus Alternative HS (5)
• Eastmoor Academy HS (3)
• Fort Hayes Arts and Academic HS (5)

The ODE Schools of Promise program recognizes schools across Ohio that demonstrate high achievement in reading and mathematics for all groups of students, despite the fact that 40 percent or more of their students come from low-income backgrounds.

Students in these schools met or exceeded the state standard of 75 percent passage in reading and/or mathematics for the school year 2008-09, as well as the federal Adequate Yearly Progress requirement.

Click here to review the full selection criteria.