Media Advisory

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY  For Immediate Release: August 10, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools Work To Make East Side Neighborhood Safer

Columbus City Schools Set To Demolish Homes Bought By the City of Columbus

 

(Columbus)---Demolition of a blighted property near an east side elementary school will begin today, the culmination of years of hard work and cooperation between the City of Columbus and Columbus City Schools (CCS).  The City of Columbus used its priority status as a local government entity to acquire the vacant and abandoned building near East Columbus Elementary School along East Sixth Avenue from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.    The building has stood vacant and abandoned for years.  Columbus City Council Finance & Economic Development Committee Chair Andrew J. Ginther began working on this project while a member of the school board more than seven years ago.

“This structure is a danger to the neighborhood and the safety of our children and needs to come down,” said Councilmember Ginther, who also chairs City Council’s Safety Committee.  “The property is a center of criminal activity and it is unacceptable to have the building so close to a new school.”

The City Council has passed two pieces of legislation to allow the transfer of land from the City to the CCS to become a reality.  In July 2007, Columbus bought the property at 3074-80 East Sixth Avenue on behalf of the district for $63,000, a 30% savings off the asking price for the site.  Then in 2009, the City transferred the property that was held in the Land Bank to district.  CCS, which purchased the adjacent 7 multi-family properties prior to the acquisition of this final piece, reimbursed the City for all expenses relating to the acquisition of the site. 

“The safety of our children is our number one priority," said Columbus City School Board President Carol L. Perkins. "The demolition of these buildings, not only demonstrates our continued commitment to this community, but shows how collaboration and partnering can achieve positive outcomes.”

Neighborhood leaders who have fought criminal activity at the site applaud the partnership between the City and CCS. 

“We have been working for many years with Councilmember Ginther,  Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris and the school board to build a stronger neighborhood so our children can live and learn in a healthy environment,” said Bill Adams of the East Columbus Civic Association that includes the Krumm Park area of City.  “This demolition is a positive step for the community as we grow for the future.”

 

 

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