As the Columbus Region’s demand for affordable housing grows, developers are finding new ways to meet the challenge. Last month the Finance Authority was pleased to attend a ribbon-cutting for the latest addition of local affordable living units: Starling Yard in Franklinton. The 97-unit project combines two new buildings with the adaptive reuse of a long-vacant school built in 1908.
Finance Authority President Patty Huddle joined developer Woda Cooper at the event, along with many project collaborators: Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Ohio Dept. of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and representatives from a variety of organizations that made the project possible, including the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County, Marble Cliff Capital, and Huntington National Bank.
The sunny day matched the warm words and possibilities shared by several guest speakers, including Huddle. “We are proud to be among the many partners needed to make this project work,” says Huddle. “We know the capital lease helps. But we also know we can’t stop there. We continue to explore other ways our organization can collaborate with developers such as Woda Cooper, state, county, city and non-profit agencies to close financing gaps in economic and community development projects.” The event was hosted by developer Woda Cooper Companies and co-developer Franklinton Development Association.
“Starling Yard is a powerful example of what is possible when we invest in our residents, our neighborhoods, and our future,” said City of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther at the event. “What was once one of the city’s most endangered sites is now a vibrant, welcoming home for families in our community – close to jobs, schools and everything Downtown has to offer. This transformation is the result of a true public-private partnership, and a testament to the progress we can make when we work together.”
The project includes the restoration and adaptation of the school plus the construction of two three-story buildings. It provides a mix of apartment unit sizes including 40 one-bedroom, 45 two-bedroom apartments, and 12 three-bedroom units, offering affordable rental rates for residents with household incomes of 30% to 80% of the area median income. Rental rates range from $401 to $1,295 per month, depending on the income restriction and size of the unit. Five units were adapted for those with mobility challenges and four units for those with sight and hearing disabilities.
The renovated building once appeared on the Columbus Landmark Foundation’s Most Endangered Sites list. It originally served as West High School, and later served as Starling Middle School. It’s been vacant for more than a decade. The restored school building includes 45 apartments with modern amenities and contemporary finishes to compliment the historic site. Architects took into consideration the existing character to preserve and restore architectural features such as original tin ceilings, flooring, doors, trim, and chalkboards.
“This project combines so much of what we like to see: robust partnership, visionary planning, and reuse of an existing structure, all to meet a specific community need,” says Huddle. “Kudos to the Woda Cooper Team. We look forward to seeing more developments like this.”