New Franklinton apartments preserve history, offer affordable housing

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A former middle school that once feared demolition has now found new life as an affordable housing opportunity.

Starling Middle School, listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties in 2022, sat vacant in Franklinton until this week, when it reopened as an affordable housing complex, dubbed Starling Yard. The former school was saved from demolition and will now house residents who make 30%-80% of the area's median income.

It opened this Tuesday with praise from Mayor Andrew Ginther and other area leaders about it's approach to affordable housing concerns. This development was discussed on this week's episode of Columbus Business Beat. Watch in the video player above.

Built in 1908, the building was originally West High School and sits at 120 S. Central Ave. Columbus-based developer Woda Cooper Companies repurposed the space with support from the city and Franklinton Development Association. The building has been vacant since Starling Middle School closed in 2013, but Woda Cooper Companies said it maintained elements of the Neoclassical Doric style to preserve its character.

Starling Yard offers 97 units, with 45 modern apartments within the old middle school buildings and the remaining 52 units situated in two new, three-story buildings. Woda Cooper said the development was designed to compliment the original architecture, embracing features like original tin ceilings and chalkboards within the renovated middle school and selecting complimentary materials for the add-ons.

The project was $32.7 million in total, mostly from renovations. In 2021, Woda Cooper purchased the building for $1.23 million under an agreement with the Columbus City School District. The city of Columbus provided a mortgage and approved a tax abatement, and Franklin County offered additional loan assistance.

Despite the building's history, Woda Cooper said the apartments are outfitted fully with ENERGY STAR appliances, including dishwashers, air conditioning and washer/dryer hook ups. Rent ranges from $401 to $1,295 per month, depending on the size of the unit and occupants' income restrictions.

“Starling School was in danger of demolition and listed on the Columbus Landmarks most endangered sites list in 2021 and we are very proud it will be saved and adapted for quality affordable housing in Franklinton where it is needed for workforce families, especially,” Jeffrey Woda, Woda Cooper Companies' founder, said.

The development also offers five units adapted for mobility challenges and two units for sight and hearing disabilities. Starling Yard is currently accepting rental applications, according to its website.