Columbus Short North’s Bollinger Tower Sold For Redevelopment
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The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority just sold the Short North 11 story Bollinger Tower to Schiff Capital group for redevelopment into what’s likely to be hotel. Bollinger sold for $14 million. The building currently houses 100 residents in 100 units.
The hotel was constructed in 1984 for low income senior housing and is in otherwise in too decent a condition to tear down. Plus, if they did the NIMBYs would likely prevent them from building something this tall again. I think they’re far ahead to redevelop what’s already there.
The City of Columbus wanted to divest itself of high maintenance real estate and invest directly in the tenants by providing housing vouchers so the tenants can live where they choose. Given that the building housed low income elderly, I’m concerned about major disruption to lives where they might not be able to fend for themselves.
Columbus Underground reported that “Selling Bollinger Tower fulfills our long-term strategy to expand CMHA’s capacity to assist more residents,” stated CMHA president and CEO Charles Hillman. “This transaction furthers our plan to divest ourselves of high-maintenance real estate in order to invest directly in people’s lives. Residents will receive portable housing vouchers enabling them to live in apartments of their choice in neighborhoods of their choice.”
And “I certainly understand how the perception of gentrification is a concern,” said CMHA COO Bryan Brown. “Do we have an obligation to provide low-income housing in a high-cost neighborhood? Sure. But we also want to expand our mission and help serve three times as many residents as we currently do at Bollinger. And if you think about the need for more hotel capacity, which provides economic development for our city, converting Bollinger to a hotel is a big plus for the city as a whole. On balance, it’s a big win and I hope people see it that way.”
There’s no decision yet regarding ground floor net lease retail or restaurant space, Frankly, that’s what Columbus commercial real estate agents want to learn about, including me. If you’re interested in retail or restaurant space, I’ll do my best to get answers. Contact me, Scott Harris, Realtor, 614-905-6614
