Department of Development | News Room

CITY OF COLUMBUS TO RECEIVE $750,000 FOR SENECA HOTEL REDEVOPMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2006

Columbus, OH -- - Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced the City of Columbus will receive $750,000 in Clean Ohio Assistance Funds (COAF) for asbestos abatement activities at the former Seneca Hotel Property. The grant is pending Controlling Board approval.

“The State of Ohio is pleased to be able to assist the City of Columbus as they transform the Seneca Hotel into a viable commercial and residential property,” commented Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Ohio means business, and to that end we are committed to efforts that will lead to future economic and community investment in their areas.”

Campus Apartments, Inc., in cooperation with the City of Columbus, is planning to redevelop the historic Seneca Hotel, located at 361 East Broad Street, to provide upscale rental housing geared toward college students, faculty and young professionals. The property, which is located adjacent to the Capital University Law School and near Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus State Community College, Franklin University and Grant Hospital, will be redeveloped with 96 apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.

The $15 million redevelopment project is expected create six new jobs in the management of the building as well as additional jobs in the commercial development. The redevelopment of this site is expected to create significant jobs in the area of construction.

Money from the $10 million COAF must be used for Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, brownfield redevelopment or public health projects. Projects located in situational distressed, inner distressed, distressed or labor surplus cities are eligible for funding. Projects are evaluated based on economic benefit; environmental improvement, including public health benefit; appropriateness and reasonableness of the proposed project and the financial condition of the community.

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