New details about the new downtown BTW project. (Columbus, Washington: section 8, 2014)

[Columbuskidd92]

The area surrounding the historic Liberty Theatre, once the hub of Columbus' black community, may be nearing a rebirth.

The Housing Authority of Columbus hopes to build 100 multi-family apartments on property surrounding the theater as part of its plans to demolish the aging Booker T. Washington public housing complex at Veterans Parkway and Victory Drive. The new units, proposed for a three-block area, would provide replacement housing for some BTW residents.

But before trying to revive one of the city's most neglected areas, the Housing Authority must obtain multi-family zoning for seven acres bounded by Eighth and Ninth streets, from Sixth to Ninth avenues. The city-owned property is currently zoned for residential office, light manufacturing and general commercial use. The rezoning must be obtained before the agency can apply for federal tax credits needed to fund the BTW revitalization project.

Len Williams, the Housing Authority's chief executive officer, said the plans are to tear down the BTW complex and replace it with modernized, mixed-income housing. The apartments would be similar to those at Ashley Station, which replaced the Peabody public housing complex, and Arbor Pointe, which replaced Baker Village. Both Baker Village and Peabody were antiquated, high-density developments similar to BTW.


Williams said the same type of funding will be needed for the BTW project. The Housing Authority plans to file the tax credit application by June, with the hopes of getting approval by November. If the financing comes through, construction could start by the fall of 2014 and the apartments could be completed a year later.



The city has already committed $3 million to the project, which would be conducted in two phases, Williams said. The first phase would involve building the apartments near the Liberty Theatre, relocating residents on the northern end of the BTW property, then building new apartments on the vacant land. During the second phase, residents on the southern end of the property will be relocated, opening up land at the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Victory Drive for commercial development. Some residents would be given Section 8 vouchers for market-rate rental housing scattered throughout the city.

Replacing BTW units could revive Liberty area | Latest News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

[Columbuskidd92]

Downtown will have 300,000 square feet commercial development on Victory Drive and Veterans Parkway. And all across from South Commons.

[Columbus1984]

Glad to see this moving forward. While I am not a fan of government housing, this will really help this area of the city. I personally think there is a higher and best use of the property but this is better than nothing. Hopefully we will see some activity within the next year.