John Coats, Guest Columnist
"While city hall rightly wants to build new homes for all income groups, they are ignoring parcels that are already ready for development." — Bishop John Coats
History rewards our research and informs that not all 1960s urban renewal initiatives turned out as planned.
The intention was noble, but the reality was quite different as government orders destroyed historic structures and thousands of affordable, older dwellings, in favor of new construction. Communities were destroyed when new homes were eventually constructed, and the former residents could not afford them.
Columbus is now experiencing a new version of housing displacement, as gentrification pushes more and more middle- and lower-income residents out of their homes – and reduces the number of affordable homes available for all parts of our community.
Columbus City Hall’s new “Zone In” process could make gentrification worse. While city hall rightly wants to build new homes for all income groups, they are ignoring parcels that are already ready for development – parcels that would keep our current housing intact.
Focus on existing areas in the future
The 20-acre Zimmerman lot in Northwest Columbus, which is located at the intersection of Olentangy River Road and Henderson Road, is one such property.
It is currently unoccupied and close to commercial and multifamily buildings, Henderson Road and Route 315. Moreover, a planned COTA / bus rapid transit stop for the LinkUS is located next to it.
Its owners are prepared to construct at least 400 homes, but city hall is resisting their desire to be included immediately into the Zone In master plan.
Columbus' future. "People say Columbus has lost all its historic charm.' Zone In would wipe away more of it."
Other places could be developed without causing significant annoyance to the present occupants.
Certainly, more homes would be beneficial for Route 161 east of I-71. Incorporating this strip makes financial sense as well because it provides easy access to new employment at the Intel development located just east of Columbus.
These places ought to be admitted into the Zone In priority zones right away by city hall. That would help Columbus avoid making the same mistakes it did in the past and get the city closer to better housing for everybody.
Columbus residents, please fulfill your civic responsibility by contacting your city council representative and request that the Zone In procedure be changed as soon as possible.
Bishop John Coats serves as president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and is the chair of the Black Caucus of Central Ohio.
# # #
Comments