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COLUMBUS LANDMARKS FOUNDATION’S RESPONSE TO IMMINENT DEMOLITION OF 1266 E. BROAD ST.
Physical evidence at the Joseph Firestone Mansion located at 1266 E. Broad Street suggests that demolition is imminent. Columbus Landmarks Foundation (CLF) is disappointed with the Columbus Foundation’s decision to demolish this hjstoric building as part of the restoration and expansion of its headquarters at the Old Governor’s Mansion. CLF’s Board of Trustees and membership have made significant efforts over the past several months to persuade the Columbus Foundation to preserve the National Register-listed residence in the East Broad Street Historic District in recognition of its architectural, historical and urban design importance. It appears however that those efforts were in vain and that the building will be lost.
With the support of the Near East Area Commission, Old Town East Neighborhood Association, The Council of Historic Neighborhoods, King-Lincoln Bronzeville and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, CLF met with the Columbus Foundation on several occasions. We created a dynamic team of preservation consultants, neighborhood representatives, architects, engineers, developers and contractors, who prepared detailed recommendations for demolition alternatives.
CLF presented several phased design schemes that promoted saving the property and integrating it into a long range campus master plan for the Columbus Foundation. The scenarios incorporated the Columbus Foundation’s concerns about parking, expansion, access, security, connectivity, image, and landscape. The CLF team’s proposals included funding sources, incentives and detailed cost estimates from subcontractors to renovate the exterior of the house and mothball the interior for future use.
“I’m sure all those who are interested in the preservation of Columbus landmark locations are disappointed in the decision to demolish the Joseph Firestone Mansion. However, we are grateful that the Columbus Foundation seriously reviewed our proposals, provided us access to the building and extended its original timeline to listen to the community’s concerns about this historic property. The Columbus Foundation should be applauded for staying and investing in the neighborhood and for the impressive restoration of the Old Governor’s Mansion,” said Kathy Mast Kane, Executive Director. “We regret the outcome of our combined efforts was not different. Now
-more-
understanding that the demolition is imminent, we encourage the Columbus Foundation to pursue salvage of any re-usable materials in the interest of keeping as much of the building as possible out of the landfill.”
“Columbus Landmarks Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Columbus’ architectural legacy,” said Donna Laidlaw, CLF President. “We devoted time and resources to saving the Joseph Firestone Mansion because it is an important part of our history and the urban fabric of the Near East Side. The continued loss of historic buildings on East Broad Street, a gateway to our downtown, reinforces the need for stronger city policy to protect our older neighborhoods and encourage economic revitalization.”
“The Update to the Near East Plan encourages the preservation and restoration of existing historically significant and contributing buildings along the East Broad Street corridor. The East Broad Street Initiative published by CLF in 2007 encourages investment while retaining and enhancing the unique character of East Broad Street. It includes a preservation strategies report with appropriate preservation tools to protect the neighborhood. These neighborhood-driven plans and initiatives need city support and enforcement. Although we are losing another important piece of our historic urban neighborhoods, we hope the loss will inspire a new effort to improve city policy and legislation to protect the heart of our city,” Laidlaw said.
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Firestone Mansion will be coming down soon
By: Motorist
Related Posts:
No joy in mudville tonight…
Yet another parking lot in place of a beautiful piece of the Columbus landscape.
Sam Hendren, WOSU Reporter
Efforts to save the city’s Firestone Mansion from demolition have failed. Workmen have completed salvaging pieces from the 3-story home built by Columbus carriage maker Joseph Firestone.
The Columbus Landmarks Foundation wanted to save the Firestone mansion at 1266 E. Broad St. It put together a team of preservation consultants, architects, engineers, developers, and contractors who drew up alternatives to demolition. There were negotiations with the building’s owner, the Columbus Foundation. But in the end, the owners decided to tear the building down. Columbus Foundation spokeswoman Carol Harmon.
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I thought the permit expired, it’s that quick to get a new one? It’s a shame no one did what our neighbors to the west in Fort Wayne did to save their historic homes: seek corporate sponsorship. Next time they can hire me.
The permit did expire and a new one was issued. Luckily for Krider the city “accidentally” forgot to post that permit along with all of the others in the weekly updates. Gosh golly imagine that.
I appreciate that Landmarks is being diplomatic about it in thanking them for taking the time to investigate other options. I however, think it was a ploy in order to look like heros since they were going to go ahead and tear it down anyway.
I am not feeling diplomatic at all. The leadership at CF consists of liars who have no sensitivity for anything except their own little world.
I am not feeling diplomatic at all. The leadership at CF consists of liars who have no sensitivity for anything except their own little world.
+1
The only reason they are just getting around to tearing it down was because they didn’t need it out of the way until now. Unfortunately, there was never a chance of saving that building.
We are down to the 15 minute mark on demolition. I ran home to use the restroom in the interim. The evil project manager for CF tried to run me off, and seemed rather annoyed that I was aware of my rights being that I was standing in a public right of way. I refused to tell him who I’m with – and I won’t. If anyone swings by they are starting in the rear – apparently to hide the fact that they are tearing it down- as if we are all ignorant. The alley behind it is a front seat view.
I’ll be posting the demolition on my flicker later if anyone cares.
Thus the reason for my love/hate relationship with Columbus, Ohio.
How can the leadership of the Columbus Foundation and the mayor and council members allow this to happen in 2008? Does anyone remember when the Mayor of Charleston, S.C. visited our city and revealed how to maintian your architectural history and character? It was ZERO TOLERANCE of the wrecking ball on significant historical structures, PERIOD.
I can also say that my limited experience with the Columbus Landmarks Foundation reveals a weak and timid organization unwilling to do what it really takes in many cases. They are usually reactionary instead of pro-active in revealing and protecting endangered sites.
The fact that no one did what a city three hours away did is really something. All those fancy, pricey experts and none of them proposed what I discovered. They could have saved a lot of money and just had me look into it.
Yeah, give us a link! :D
An article from the Daily Reporter. At least they are salvaging some of the pieces of the building. This quote makes me want to punch someone:
Historic Firestone mansion to be torn down, but many of its fixtures will be saved
——————————————————————————–
MELANIE MCINTYRE
Daily Reporter Staff Writer
05/08/2008
The Columbus Foundation has moved forward with its plan to demolish a local historic residence, despite opposition from preservationists and neighborhood associations. However, not all the home’s contents will be lost forever.
Demolition of the 10,000-square- foot neo-Italian Renaissance style home at 1266 E. Broad St. began this week with the end goal make room for an overflow parking lot and greenspace that are part of an expansion project at the foundation’s nearby headquarters.
“I’m sure all those who are interested in the preservation of Columbus landmark locations are disappointed in the decision to demolish the Joseph Firestone Mansion,” said Kathy Mast Kane, executive director of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the city’s architectural heritage.
The Firestone mansion was built at the turn of the 20th century by Joseph Firestone, who was then vice president of the Columbus Buggy Co. – one of the businesses that contributed to the city’s reputation as “buggy capital of the world” and pushed the Firestone family into the automotive tire business.
The home was designed by renowned local architect Frank Packard and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building within the East Broad Street Historic District.
A permit for the house’s demolition was filed with the city of Columbus in late 2007 and on Dec. 8, the Near East Area Commission’s Zoning Committee voted unanimously not to approve it. However, the committee’s action didn’t have any legal weight.
Dana Rose, the city’s code enforcement manager, said although area commissions have 45 days to comment on whether a permit should be granted, the city is not obligated to consider their opinions.
In fact, only being located within a city-recognized historic district or being listed on Columbus’ Register of Historic Places might prevent demolition, he said, and neither factor is applicable to the former Firestone residence.
Officials at the Columbus Foundation, which owns the home, previously have said an analysis conducted by engineers and architects determined that the structure had no viable future as an office building.
“At that point, we offered to convey the building for $1 to anyone who could move it, but no one has shown an interest in that, nor has a viable alternative use emerged,” Carol Harmon, the foundation’s spokeswoman, said in December.
Landmarks – with the support of the NEAC, Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association, the Council of Historic Neighborhoods, King-Lincoln Bronzeville, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation – met with the Columbus Foundation on several occasions about the Firestone mansion.
Its team of preservation consultants, architects, engineers, developers, contractors and neighborhood representatives presented several phased design schemes addressing parking, expansion, access, security, connectivity, image and landscape concerns to the foundation for its consideration.
Basically, Landmarks wanted to renovate the home’s exterior and mothball the interior in anticipation of future use but, ultimately, its ideas were rejected.
“However, we are grateful that the Columbus Foundation seriously reviewed our proposals, provided us access to the building, and extended its original timeline to listen to the community’s concerns about this historic property,” Kane said.
Additionally, the foundation “should be applauded for staying and investing in the neighborhood, and for the impressive restoration of the old governor’s mansion (at 1234 E. Broad St.),” she said.
She also encouraged the foundation to salvage as much of the Firestone residence as possible.
“Everything possible was removed from the building, including mantles, medicine cabinets, sinks, doorknobs and bathtubs,” Harmon told The Daily Reporter.
And like Kane, she also highlighted the foundation’s work in the East Broad Street Historic District, saying
Nonetheless, Landmarks President Donna Laidlaw said efforts to enhance preservation endeavors in Columbus are necessary.
“The continued loss of historic buildings on East Broad Street, a gateway to our downtown, reinforces the need for stronger city policy to protect our older neighborhoods and encourage economic revitalization, ” she said
[url]http://www.sourcenews.com/news/today/cdr_d.lasso[/url]
Since this has not been my experience with Columbus Landmarks Foundation, I’d like to know a) what you think they might have done differently and b) discuss what it really takes.
Personally I feel that Landmarks did a good job of advocacy despite the negative outcome on this particular project, given the unique circumstances.
The building is not going easily. A bunch of bricks and other debris hit the side and roof of the adjacent building thus causing people to dash out the doors to see what was going on. The fire hose also keeps springing leaks forcing them to stop and make repairs. I read above that they claim to have salvaged the building – that is a lie. Sure the doorknobs are all gone, but not the antique doors, trim, moldings, flooring, stonework and I saw at least ONE mantle destroyed. Go CF for saving some effing doorknobs. bastards…errr um I mean heros.
demolition photos, as promised.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14045450@N04/sets/72157604968359820/
Ugh. Sad.
:?
I added a little entry.
Well, the demolition of the Firestone mansion was completed today. Despite informing the Columbus Foundation, Columbus Landmarks Foundation, and the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association about a solution to obtain corporate sponsorship to move the house which I mentioned in an earlier post, apparently the Columbus Foundation couldn’t wait a day longer to tear it down. I don’t know what’s more frustrating, that or the fact that no one attempted a solution that was sitting right next door in Indiana. I think a Great Lakes Neighborhood Exchange would be a good way to pool all of our experiences together and learn from each other. Too often are situations in this city treated like they’d never been faced anywhere else.
Here’s the demolition.
Link
So sad.
If you have ever been in the Statehouse complex, they nearly tore the annex (Senate Building) down in the 70′s when the Supreme Court went to the (yet to be named) Rhodes Tower.
I typed out an essay, then I read the article from the Daily Reporter, and erased it all. The mansion is being torn down for a parking lot, and greenspace? A parking lot, and a patio? Are they serious? Then I started thinking, I have never heard of the Daily Reporter, what type of magazine are they, could they be biased to this project? What other details do the expansion project include? Is there commercial space, if so how much? If they needed more office space could we have lured them downtown? I guess if they wanted “greenspace” it would be hard to get them downtown. If this project really was only a parking lot, and greenspace, this is dumbest thing ever.
Is irony the right word here? From Today’s Dispatch, LTE:
Ohio is leading the way in historic preservation
Gov. Ted Strickland has recognized May as Historic Preservation Month, as has the National Trust for Historic Preservation, along with the theme that I think sums up Ohio nicely: This Place Matters. Historically, economically, politically, geographically and culturally, Ohio has always mattered. Some may wonder whether historic preservation matters in 21st-century Ohio, and to whom.
Despite countless cultural influences and public policies that encourage us to discard the past or covet instant gratification, the natural value of historic preservation is all around us. It is most evident in our older homes, downtowns, Main Streets, public institutions and archaeological and natural areas. Ohio is home to more than 400 historic districts containing nearly 40,000 historic properties and more than 43,000 known archaeological sites, including a few prehistoric locations for which we are working to earn recognition on the United Nations’ World Heritage List.
The evidence of historic preservation has accumulated all around us, which is good news for the environment and the potential it holds for a sustainable future. Historic preservation has been called the ultimate recycling because it involves the reuse of existing buildings, resources and infrastructure. A remarkable 90 percent of construction projects today involve existing structures.
In The Restoration Economy, author Storm Cunningham says we are in the “Re” century, “when redevelopment displaces development, reconstruction outpaces construction, redesign is more common than design, reuse betters use, repaving keeps more people busy than does paving, re-engineering dominates engineering, renew dethrones new, and revitalization supplants devitalization.”
A growing number of communities are embracing historic preservation as a way to enhance livability and what you might call “lovability.” Adopting a preservation ethic can be an effective way to further demonstrate that this place matters, by fostering local pride and maintaining community character while also revitalizing neighborhoods and stimulating economic redevelopment.
Ohio ranks at or near the top each year among states in preserving and rehabilitating historic properties through the federal historic-preservation tax-credit program. The federal 20 percent historic-preservation tax-incentives program is one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective community-revitalization programs and is intended to reward private investment in rehabilitating income-producing historic properties. To Ohio’s credit, a state historic tax-credit program was recently established and has been popular among developers.
Since 2000, an estimated 15,000 local jobs have been created based on private investments of nearly $980 million in federal historic-rehabilitation tax-credit projects in Ohio. These buildings are underutilized or vacant properties that are brought back to life with a lot of hard work and the strategic use of economic incentives. This kind of redevelopment not only preserves our history and contributes to Ohio’s economy, it also strengthens communities in more fundamental ways.
The neighborhoods where historic preservation is at work often are those unique spaces that attract people and bring in tourist dollars. Perhaps most important, they are the kinds of places where people like to be and to live. Ohioans have more than 3,600 listings on the National Register of Historic Places, documenting more than 44,000 contributing properties.
Ohioans have a rich and diverse history that is worth preserving for future generations. To learn more about the value of historic preservation or how to get more involved, please visit us online at:
http://www.ohiohistory.org/hpmonth.
BILL LAIDLAW
Executive director
Ohio Historical Society
Columbus
Monday, May 12, 2008 6:47 AM
BY MIKE PRAMIK
The Columbus Foundation wants to create a majestic block along E. Broad Street, one worthy of the history embodied in the old governor’s mansion that serves as its headquarters.
To do so, last week, the charity demolished a century-old home that the foundation said didn’t fit with its $7.8 million project.
The Joseph Firestone house at 1266 E. Broad St. had been vacant for years and last was used as an office. Columbus Foundation President Doug Kridler said the charitable organization considered saving the building as plans came together for renovation of the site. But the house’s structure made it too impractical and expensive to be converted to meet the foundation’s needs.
Whether the Firestone building was historic is debatable. It was on the National Register of Historic Places, but as part of a zone called the East Broad Street Historic District.
It’s not on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties, although Kathy Mast Kane, executive director of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, said that is true of many properties along E. Broad St., which once was the city’s grand boulevard.
Representatives of the landmarks foundation, whose goal is historic preservation, said last week that they were upset that the Columbus Foundation chose not to save the building.
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A quick update. At least the rotten leadership at CF is true to their word. On 6-25 a demo permit was awarded for 1260 E. Broad, the plain building that stands next to where Firestone was.
Sorry for the animosity, I might get over it when their leadership changes.