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 Melinda Shah/Schooley Caldwell (Applicant), in cooperation with Downtown Columbus, Inc. (Owner), to list the property located at 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building, on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties. The subject building is locally significant intact example of the “Renaissance Revival style” with association to the “early 20th century commercial development of Columbus’ downtown, when architectural advancement, national banking development, and the speculative mixed-use building type converged in the mid-1920s.” (Shah p. 16) As well as association with, “Huntington Banking family, whose contributions in Columbus at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries molded many industries, institutions, and developments seen today. The influence of the Huntington family is represented by the building, whose founder and sons used their influence to support economic development of Columbus in the 20th century.” (Shah p. 19). The period of significance for the building is 1926-1965, from when the 13-story, rectangular structure was constructed in 1926 (when the conversion and expansion of the original Harrison Building was completed) to 1965, when the trust division moved to its own space at the Huntington Trust Building at Broad & Front Streets, as this marked the first shift in banking operations from the original building at 17 S High Street. The Columbus Register boundary for the property consists of includes three parcels (Parcel IDs: 010-023445-00, 010-027309-00, 010-011-011453-00), as defined by the Franklin County Auditor, State of Ohio and includes the property historically associated with the 1926-1965 as well as the 1984 retail spaces, single story arcade and glazed tower infill of the building.
Proper notice was given to the property owner, per CC 3117.061, and a signed and notarized owner consent form has been received. A public hearing was held September 3, 2026, 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 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building, on the Columbus Register based on the following criteria outlined in CC 3117.05:
Criterion A: “The design or style of the property’s exterior and/or interior is of significance to the historical, architectural or cultural development of the city, state or nation”.
Criterion E: “The property is closely and publicly identified with an event, or series of events, which has influenced the historical, architectural, or cultural development of the city, state, or nation”.
Emergency Justification: Listing of this property on the Columbus Register will facilitate its eligibility for historic tax credits in conjunction with the planned rehabilitation and adaptive use of the building. This legislation is submitted as an emergency to allow its incorporation in a historic tax credit application. The deadline for 17 S. High St. to apply for the state historic tax credits is September 29th and what needs to be included in those deliverables is the city ordinance. If the building is designated as a local landmark by a Certified Local Government (Columbus HRC), provide a copy of the signed and dated local ordinance establishing the listing. The effective date of the local listing must be included.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Title
To list the property at 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building, on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties as CR #84, including the 1984 retail spaces, single story arcade and glazed tower infill of the building; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
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 Melinda Shah/Schooley Caldwell (Applicant), in cooperation with Downtown Columbus, Inc. (Owner), to list the property located at 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building, 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 September 3, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation that the Historic Resources Commission has determined that 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building, is eligible for listing on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties under criteria listed in CC 3117.05 and the deadline for 17 S. High St. to apply for the state historic tax credits is September 29th, and 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 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building.
Section 2. That the Historic Resources Commission is hereby authorized and directed to enter the property located 17 S. High St., Huntington National Bank building, on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties as Listed Property CR #84.
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 this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s adoption and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.