Special offer

Franklinton Condo Project to finally happen?

By
Real Estate Agent with Delicious Real Estate 2008002258

franklinton.jpg

It seems a long, long time ago that we first heard about it, but City officials announced a $23 million plan last Friday to turn two former industrial sites and a vacant lot in Franklinton into condominiums, apartments and artists' studios.

Mayor Coleman said the privately funded development will transform the long-troubled area west of Downtown into "the comeback neighborhood" of Columbus. Isn't that nice?  Just like that, Franklinton becomes the "comeback neighborhood" of Columbus.  I thought the Mayor's office was comitted to Bronzeville becoming the comeback neighborhood.  Wait, maybe that was the southside via Parsons avenue. No, no, Weinland Park is supposed to be the comeback neighborhood.  I'm just kidding, there is plenty of room for all of these communties to improve and prosper.More...

Coleman said he'll ask the City Council to approve $175,000 worth of state environmental-cleanup grants for an assessment of pollution at the former home of B&T Metals Co., which once employed 500 people at 435 W. Town St.

He also said the project is in a neighborhood where condo buyers will be eligible for 10- to 15-year property-tax abatements.

That plan in Franklinton includes artists' studios, gallery space, a small theater and retail and office space. A nearby vacant lot will become a small park where sculptors' work will be displayed.

Robbins said he envisions the project changing Franklinton the way redevelopment transformed the Short North.

"The essence of development is about building community," he said. "It is rare ... to get the kind of support I've seen here."

Franklinton leaders have backed Robbins' plan for more than a year, despite knowledge of his troubles. He paid $1 million in 2002 to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to settle claims for unpaid utility bills at his properties.

"This is a very exciting day for us," said Carol Stewart of the Franklinton Area Commission.

The former B&T Metals manufacturing site in Franklinton may be redeveloped into residential and commercial space.

The city said Brick Investment Corp. plans to transform the site at 435 W. Town St. into 130 residences, a small arts theater, gallery space, retail, a coffee shop and office space.

Housing construction for the $23 million project is expected to begin later this year, the city said.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman plans to ask city council to approve a $175,000 Clean Ohio grant for environmental assessment at the site.

B&T Metals was founded in 1932 and made aluminum products ranging from carpet strips to door frames. It shut down in 1982 but the property remained under the ownership of a member of the Kilgore family, who founded B&T Metals.

Los Angeles-based Brick Investment has also purchased several surrounding blighted and abandoned properties for future housing development, including a site across from the former B&T Metals at 401 W. Town St.

Comments (0)