Columbus community upset as historic home demolished to make way for apartments

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One local community is voicing its disappointment after a new development project was given the green light on the northwest side of Columbus. A historic home has been demolished to make room for new apartments.  

The development is igniting passion from residents like Mary Juhas on Dublin Road near Hayden Run Road, who believe this will not only change the fabric of the neighborhood but will bring logistical challenges.     

“I feel like we asked a lot of questions and tried to maintain a balanced perspective to look at both sides,” Juhas said. “I think it's going to be a disruption to sort of the harmony of the community.”      

A 1930s historic home was torn down and for many, it was a staple in the community. It is set to be replaced by an apartment complex with nearly 200 units. This comes after the Columbus City Council approved the project going against the city’s Development Commission, which opposed the project. Some residents like Holly Hollingsworth feel that was a mistake.     

"They're the experts, They're architects, their city planners,” Hollingsworth said. “They know this stuff and they've known this stuff for years and they looked at this particular plan and they said unanimously, they said, this doesn't fit. This should not happen."    

According to Rent Cafe, over 4,000 rental units will be completed in the Columbus metropolitan area by the end of the year, surpassing Cincinnati and Cleveland. Though lifelong residents said they understand the need for more housing in this growing city, they also believe this project does not belong in this neighborhood.       

"I think the leaders need to make sure that they're doing a lot of listening and then demonstrating that they're acting in a way that is that that shows the community that their voice was heard," Juhas said.    

There are also other concerns regarding the number of people who could be moving into these units and the traffic that could disrupt the current flow.     

"Dublin Road has one lane in each direction,” Hollingsworth said. “Dublin Road has no COTA bus routes. Dublin Road, at this point, has no sidewalks."    

“We understand that change is often difficult, but the project passed by Council was significantly different than its initial proposals because of community engagement,” City Councilmember Rob Dorans said.

At this point in the process, nothing can be changed. Some residents voiced doubt about the Council, and said it may not have the neighborhood's best interests at heart.    

"Councilmember Dorans is very fond of saying change is hard,” Hollingsworth said. “You know what is hard? Councilmember Dorans, leadership is hard. Respecting people who've invested in their neighborhoods, that's hard. These are not easy decisions. These are not easy projects. It is tougher to build a project that works in a neighborhood and respects all the investment that families have made in that neighborhood. It's tough, and they didn't do it here."