Proposed downtown Columbus project looks to turn former jail into childcare center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A proposed downtown project would demolish a former jail and turn it into a childcare center.

It isn't the transition most would think of when considering the future of a former downtown jail, but for Franklin County commissioner Erika Crawley, this is about helping another generation improve their future.

"We are providing funding for our residents, subsidies when it comes to childcare, but we should be doing something for our own staff and our own employees to make it accessible," Crawley said.

The availability of safe, quality affordable childcare is often considered a crisis. But Crawley says the solution is right under our noses.

"No where else in the country do we see something like this -- a county demolishing a jail and building a learning center," Crawley said.

A recent vote by the commissioners is the first step to making the concept a reality. Earlier this week, the Franklin County Commissioners approved a nearly $1.4 million design contract. The project is a unique undertaking and would require the demolition of the former south jail, which is connected to several county buildings.

Commissioner Crawley says a new childcare facility, which could accommodate up to 400 children, would be constructed in its place.

"This type of childcare center doesn't exist anywhere," Crawley said. "We're talking about social and emotional needs. We are looking at everything from color on the wall to flooring."

The building would house childcare for the children of county and city employees, potentially on a sliding pay scale. The center would also offer drop-in care for guardians needing to make court appearances.

"If you're missing court dates, there's sometimes you can get a bench warrant issued, you will get picked up by the police, and then you'll sit in our jail, right?" Crawley said.

It's an idea that not only addresses an immediate issue, but one that looks to address a broader concern: a gap of childcare accessibility and equity, specifically in the Black community.

"Only 40 percent of our children county wide are ready for Kindergarten and when it comes to black children only 28 percent are ready for kindergarten," Crawley said. "If we invest early that tends to decrease the likelihood of someone going into the criminal justice system or even being involved in criminal activity in the first place."

Crawley said it's too early to put a price tag on the project but she tells NBC4 that with the intricacies of demolishing a building connected to several others, she expects the project will be completed by the middle of 2028.