Stonewall Columbus continues to explore possibilities for their property at the northeast corner of High Street and Fourth Avenue in the Short North.
The organization brought a plan to the Italian Village Commission meeting on Tuesday that calls for demolishing their existing two-story building on the corner and replacing it with a new, larger three-story building. The new building would connect to the historic three-story building at 14 East Fourth Avenue, which is also owned by Stonewall.
Elevations submitted to the commission show large windows facing High Street and wrapping around the corner of the new building. The surface parking lot to the north of the existing building would remain, although access to that lot from Fourth would be eliminated.
Karla Rothan, Stonewall’s Executive Director, said that due to “consistent growth in the last five years,” the organization is “exploring the possibility of expanding and restoring its space in the Short North.” She cautioned, though, that “the plans sent to the Italian Village Commission are by no means finalized but are put forth to the Commission for review and input.”
Stonewall first brought the idea of redeveloping their property to the commission last winter.
Commissioner Jason Sudy characterized the discussion about the proposal this time as “a very positive conversation, with everyone supportive of what they are trying to do in terms of aggressively programing the space to really reach out to the community.”
He stressed, though, that a key concern of the commission remains the demolition of the 1950’s-era building on the corner, which is classified as a historically-contributing structure. “I think the overall sentiment is that it would be nice to meet the goals that they have and still keep at least a portion of the existing building.”
Another issue discussed at the meeting was the possibility of expanding the High Street frontage of the building, but representatives of Stonewall said an existing sewer line would make any development of the parking lot to the north difficult.
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All renderings via Behal Sampson Dietz.
