Bronzeville Neighborhood Association

The Monroe Cluster at N. Monroe and E.Long St. comes before the Near East Area Commission for an On Site Review Dec.8th with the Zoning Commission.

At the last NEAC  Zoning Meeting last week the Glaven Development team introduced a condominium project for the residential area .

We have a problem –  never was a condominium concept discussed with KLBNA on this part of the site.  LBNA has supported the townhome concept.  Another problem this proposed condo has 11 units and is one big building.  The townhomes were to be several collections of buildings.

KLBNA has concerns about the Glaven representatives comments at the NEAC Zoning Meeting last week,when a Commissioner asked if there is a difference between Condos and Townhomes he basically said there is little difference.

We, KLBNA as the Neighborhood Civic Association, have had no imput into this proposed Condo development.All the N. Monroe residents from E. Broad St.to Mt. Vernon  need to know KLBNA attempted to give imput and was shut out. We have a problem with this project.

Demolition is a great threat to all standing structures on Mt. Vernon, Long St., E.Broad St.,E.Main St.,and Parsons Ave. As Near East Area Commissioner,District 1 (Bronzeville)and KLBNA  Zonning and Development Chairman I Dana Moessner am telling all interested residents of our East Side neighborhoods we have a big problem.

Columbus Landmarks has been put in a awkward position in its funding dependence upon The Columbus Foundation. Columbus Landmarks does wonderful projects but Columbus Landmarks can not save our East side historical buildings without the residents demanding our buildings will not be demolished.KLBNA President Willis Brown and KLBNA Beautification Chairman Marjorie Moessner spoke at Columbus City Council last night 11,26,2007 about the demolitions that continue to descimate the Bronzeville and Old Town Neighborhoods.

Demolitions continue to occur without any Near East Area Commission input as occured last week with the demolition of 1108 E. Long St. at the hands of Reboth Temple Church for a parking lot. Columbus City Council members Taveras and O’Shaunesy continue to make statements questioning the demolition process and its impact upon the Near East side when KLBNA raises the issue at City Council Meetings.

However, nothing changes Department of Development under Boyce Safford allows the demolitions to continue despite being questioned in City Council about the demolition process numerous times during the past year.We must have a Demolition Moratorium in the NEAC area until are significant structures can be properly reviewed and identified.  The Firestone residence on E. Broad St.,the Edna Building on E. Long St. and Centenary Methodist Church on E. Long St. are at very great risk of demolition at any time .We must act now!!

Dana Moessner   Near East Area Commission District 1 and KLBNA  Zoning and Development Chairman

  I,  Dana Moessner as District 1 Commissioner and also KLBNA  Zoning and Development Chairman, am outraged at the demolition of 1108 East Long St. at the hands of Rehobeth Temple Church.

The Area Commission process has once again been run over by the City of Columbus Department of Development. I personally spoke before Columbus City Council earlier this year about the demolition process and the damage it has done and will render on the historic East Side and the Bronzeville neighborhood on East Long St.Councilwoman Taveras and Councilwoman O’Shaunasy responded to my concerns about the demolition  process and my questioning the waiting period for demolitions.

Both Councilwomen asked then new Director of Development for Columbus Boyce Safford about the process. Councilwoman Taveras then asked that this be looked at closer before the existing demolition process further affects the Historic East Side and East Long Street in particular.Nothing has changed and the demolitions continue .

I am telling Keena Smith and Boyce Safford we of NEAC and KLBNA know the process of benign neglect as a process for demolition. This is happening with the Edna Building on East Long Street between Monroe and 17th .This building could be eventually brought down by the City of Columbus for structural reasons unless action is taken immeditaly.

Winter is coming and the roof is letting rain and snow inside for another Winter.We of KLBNA have been telling City Council this for at least 3 years and the Department of Development at least 20 times during the past 3 years.This would not happen in Clintonville,Victorian Village ,or Berwick but it happens under the radar on the Near East Side neighborhoods .Watch out South Side ,Parsons will suffer the same painfull and nefarious plight.

Dana Moessner NEAC District 1 Comissioner