A $2M project could bring 5 historic homes to downtown. (Columbus: rentals, houses)

[Fountain-of-youth]

A more than $2 million project would replace a downtown park with five 19th-century homes and revamp a public space along the Chattahoochee River if the Columbus Council signs off. Historic Columbus presented plans to councilors Tuesday that would transfer ownership of Heritage Park to the nonprofit. Under current plans, exhibits, buildings and other history educational items at the park would be relocated to the Chattahoochee promenade near the Coca-Cola Space and Science Center. The five homes were donated to Historic Columbus, and three of them previously belonged to Historic Westville, a living history museum that relocated from Lumpkin to Columbus a few years ago.


THE PARK’S PROBLEM

The change to Heritage Park comes over concerns with the water feature, Walden said. The nonprofit and city staff were worried about making significant investments in the feature’s water pump every three-to-five years. The park was finished in 1999, and Historic Columbus was one of its key funders. The city took ownership of the park once it was completed. However, by 2016, the park’s large water feature was no longer operational. What was thought to be a simple pump repair turned into a new pump system and total redesign that would cost more than $250,000 if completed. City funding wasn’t secured to fix the system.

While fixing the pump would be the simplest solution, Historic Columbus board members began considering alternatives for the park’s future.

THE HOMES

The five homes were built between the 1830s and the 1880s. They will be stabilized and sold to owners who will rehabilitate the properties. Historic Columbus will include deed restrictions so the homes will only be used as single-family homes or long-term rentals, Walden said.

Three of the properties previously belonged to Historic Westville — the Bryan House (1830), the Rawson House (1840) and the Moye House (1840).

THE PROMENADE

The plans for the promenade, which runs south of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and along Front Avenue, are not finalized. The plans Historic Columbus presented to the council are a proposal, and the nonprofit is conducting a survey to determine what the property will look like in the future.


Under the plan, the exhibits from Heritage Park would be moved inside the promenade’s walled Victorian garden. The park’s log cabin would be north of the garden, and the kiln would be placed south. In addition to the new elements, Historic Columbus would clean up along the riverbank to create open views of the river. The nonprofit would also install new signage, creating a new history trail that incorporates the city’s Native American and Black history, Walden said. Historic Columbus would also sign a maintenance agreement and establish a maintenance fund to support the future of the promenade.

https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news...#storylink=cpy

I'm so glad historic columbus taking this development back from the city. They can't maintain anything.

[Columbus1984]

Cool project.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Cool project.

[columbusboy8]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Cool project.

[Jamesjb131]

What a perfectly neat little park gone to waste! Columbus needs more unique monuments, statues, on a grand scale that will attract tourist! More houses in the historic district is not the answer to me. Not that many people would travel to another city just to look at a bunch of old house block after block. I personally travel and take pictures of unique Sculptures that I may not find anywhere else! Just food for thought!

[amyers3]

I actually think this is a win-win for city and Historic Columbus. The park is a complete waste, as they're not going to pay the $250,000 needed for the repairs and more historic houses on a lot that is otherwise unused, seems like a great idea. The monuments that are currently there will be moved across the street - so no loss, other than the money pit that is the water feature.