New, smaller plan released for student apartments on University District church site

Watch a previous report on the proposed apartment complex for the Summit United Methodist Church property in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A developer has new plans for Ohio State-area student housing on the site of a now-closed church – and letters of support from the church and nearby residents to match.

Chicago-based UP Campus Properties has submitted its latest proposal for an apartment complex geared toward Ohio State students at the fork of East 16th and Waldeck avenues. The complex, now planned to be five stories and house more than 300 residents, would replace the now-vacant Summit United Methodist Church.

The version slated for review by the University Impact District Review Board on Thursday is at least the fourth version UP Campus and Columbus architect group MA Design has drawn up since last August. In December, the review board was concerned that the then-6-story proposal would tower over the neighboring three-story duplexes and other student rental housing.

The updated designs show a main entrance to the complex at the fork between the avenues with a mostly brick façade and balconies on each floor. An entrance to a semi-automated parking garage would be on Waldeck Avenue, while three 4-story townhouse-style units would line the East 16th Avenue edge of the property. 

According to the application, the complex would be 76 units and house up to 317 residents, not including the duplex next door. Renderings show mostly 4-bedroom units, with some 6-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units as well.

In the updated renderings, the neighboring duplex on East 16th Avenue would be preserved. Original plans had called for its demolition, but the review board asked for it to be maintained, if possible, because of its age.

UP Campus included in its application a handful of letters of support, including from the landlord of a duplex next to the property and the pastor of Summit United Methodist Church. In her letter, Pastor Allyssa Graves said the church building had reached the end of its usable life and the church hoped to sell the property.

“Students have lived in our neighborhood for generations and will continue to do so,” Graves wrote. “Replacing our property with high-quality housing is the highest and best use for the property and will be a great addition to the neighborhood.”

Several students, including members of nearby sororities and other student groups, also signed letters of support.

UP Campus Properties is asking for several zoning variances, including an allowance for the building to be 65 feet high and to reduce the required on-site parking from 337 to 96.