Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) (CC 3117) is charged, in part, with identifying districts, sites, buildings, structures, and/or objects that are of significance to the historical, architectural, or cultural development of the city, state, or nation; maintaining a list of these districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects; and providing regulation of these properties through design review. With these goals in mind, the Commission provides recommendations to City Council for the potential listing of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and/or objects on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties.
An application has been made by Alex Green, Sandvick Architects (Applicant), in cooperation with Brad DeHays/250 E. Town Street, LLC. (Owner), to list the property located at 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties. The subject building is locally significant as a representative example of a period of “urban renewal” in downtown Columbus and the Federal policies that were developed during that time period. The period of significance for the building is from 1969, the year of construction, and extends to 1970, in accordance with the National Register of Historic Properties guideline, “properties that have achieved significance within the past 50 years shall not be considered eligible for the National Register” unless the property is of “exceptional importance.” The Columbus Register boundary for the property consists of two parcels (Franklin County Parcels #010-008173 and #010-008350). These parcels include the building itself, its sunken courtyard, and the parking lot just north of the building. The entirety is bounded by E. Town Street to the south, an adjacent building and small walkway used for maintenance access that runs along the west elevation to the west, E. Chapel Street to the north, and a parking garage to the east.
Proper notice was given to the property owner, per CC 3117.061, and a signed owner consent form has been received. A public hearing was held February 20, 2020, per CC 3117.063. The public hearing was attended by the Applicant and the Owner, who provided comments in support of the listing of the property.
The Commission voted unanimously to recommend listing of the property located at 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center on the Columbus Register based on the following criteria outlined in CC 3117.05:
Criterion E: “The property is closely and publicly identified with an event, or series of events, which has influenced the historical or cultural development of the city, state or nation.”
Listing of this property on the Columbus Register will facilitate its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This legislation is submitted as an emergency to allow its incorporation in a National Register nomination. Local and national listing makes the property eligible for historic tax credits in conjunction with rehabilitation and adaptive use of the building.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Title
To authorize the Historic Resources Commission to enter the property located at 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center, on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties as CR #79; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Historic Resources Commission is charged, in part, with identifying districts, sites, buildings, structures, and/or objects of significance to the historical, architectural, or cultural development of the city, state, or nation; and
WHEREAS, as part of this responsibility, the commission provides recommendations to City Council for the potential listing of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and/or objects on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties; and
WHEREAS, an application has been made by Alex Green, Sandvick Architects (Applicant), in cooperation with Brad DeHays/250 E. Town Street, LLC. (Owner), to list the property located at 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center,on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties; and
WHEREAS, notice was given, as required by City Code, and a public hearing regarding the application was held on February 20, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Resources Commission has determined that 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center, is eligible for listing on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties under criteria listed in CC 3117.05, and therefore recommends approval of the nomination to Columbus City Council;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to list said property on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties to allow its incorporation in a National Register nomination, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the requirements of CC 3117, regarding nominations and listing on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties, have been met for the property located at 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center.
Section 2. That the Historic Resources Commission is hereby authorized and directed to enter the property located at 250 East Town Street, the Market-Mohawk Center, on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties as Listed Property CR #79.
Section 3. That the City Clerk is directed to certify a copy hereof to the City Historic Preservation Officer.
Section 4. That the Historic Preservation Officer shall have said designation recorded in the official records of the Franklin County Recorder.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.