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Nearly a dozen Hilltop homes to be demolished
On June 4, the Greater Hilltop Area Commission (GHAC) received a list of vacant properties slated for demolition later this year. David Hooie, of the Columbus Department of Development, said nearly a dozen Hilltop homes have gone through the process to be torn down. The abandoned residences are on Eureka Avenue, Oakley Avenue, Warren Avenue, Steele Avenue, and Richardson Avenue. Hooie did not have a timetable for demolition. Earlier this year the city of Columbus announced the creation of a vacant and abandoned property program as an effort to clean up Columbus. Nine hundred structures will be demolished citywide using federal funds. Properties must be uninhabitable and gone through three sheriff’s sales before the city acquires and targets them for demolition. Hooie said a list of Hilltop homes will be submitted to the GHAC each month. The concern for commission members and residents was knowing what homes are targeted. Hooie said making the list available would prevent the demolition of a historic building. “We don’t want to tear down a house you don’t want torn down,” he said. The commission’s zoning committee will review the monthly list of properties and issue recommendations. The commission authorized its zoning committee to submit recommendations directly to the city if committee members vote unanimously. In a related issue, the commission approved a demolition application for a house on North Terrace Avenue. The house is stripped of fixtures and was without electricity since 1998. It is owned by the Hillcrest Baptist Church. Commissioner Greg Large said the church acquired the house with the intention to demolish it for a community garden. The adjacent residence is also slated for demolition and will be used for a parking lot. GHAC elections The GHAC will hold their elections at the Hilltop Bean Dinner on June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Four three-year seats will be filled this year. At the July 10 meeting, three appointed seats will be filled.
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