Demolition sought for 1920 Franklinton building to create Blu Note music pavilion
A supplemented certificate of appropriateness application clears ground for an outdoor music venue and the reuse of 375 W. Rich St.
Developers have supplemented a municipal application seeking approval to demolish a century-old industrial building in Columbus' East Franklinton neighborhood to make way for an outdoor music amphitheater pavilion, restrooms, and a parking lot alongside a rehabilitated indoor jazz club.
The Certificate of Appropriateness application, designated COA2601006, was filed Sept. 16, 2026, by attorney Mike Shannon of KMCY Law on behalf of property owner Derrick Pannell to demolish the building at 373 W. Rich St. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, the applicant supplemented the filing with current exterior photographs and interior photographic records from 2022. Demolition of the structure would clear space for an outdoor amphitheater pavilion, outdoor restrooms, and a 22-space parking lot.
The cleared parcel would serve the adjacent four-level building at 375 W. Rich St., which developers plan to rehabilitate as the Blu Note Franklinton Music Pavilion jazz club and cafe. Schematic designs prepared by Design Collective outline an indoor and outdoor bar, kitchen, and main stage on the first level; a second-floor mezzanine and bar; a third-floor speakeasy; and a fourth-floor rooftop patio and bar.
In a project analysis submitted with the application, historic preservation consultant Randy F. Black evaluated the condition of 373 W. Rich St., which was constructed in 1920 and historically housed the Columbus Physicians and Druggists Supply Company. Black concluded that years of vacancy and roof failure resulted in severe water infiltration that compromised structural stringers, rafters, and interior floors. He also found that the exterior brick and mortar had been parged and stuccoed corner-to-corner and grade-to-eaves with inappropriate cementitious materials, destroying the building's historic integrity and rendering it ineligible for historic register listing.
To mitigate the loss of the historic structure, Black recommended completing full Historic American Buildings Survey documentation for city and state preservation archives and the Columbus Main Library. Black also recommended conducting 3D photographic scanning of the building's interior and exterior and salvaging its sound structural timber 'Y' arms, lateral bracing, and wooden columns for reuse in the new venue. The demolition and redevelopment proposal remains subject to review by Columbus historic preservation staff and the East Franklinton Review Board before any permits can be issued.
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Developers have supplemented a municipal application seeking approval to demolish a century-old industrial building in Columbus' East Franklinton neighborhood to make way for an outdoor music amphitheater pavilion, restrooms, and a parking lot alongside a rehabilitated indoor jazz club.
The Certificate of Appropriateness application, designated COA2601006, was filed Sept. 16, 2026, by attorney Mike Shannon of KMCY Law on behalf of property owner Derrick Pannell to demolish the building at 373 W. Rich St. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, the applicant supplemented the filing with current exterior photographs and interior photographic records from 2022. Demolition of the structure would clear space for an outdoor amphitheater pavilion, outdoor restrooms, and a 22-space parking lot.
The cleared parcel would serve the adjacent four-level building at 375 W. Rich St., which developers plan to rehabilitate as the Blu Note Franklinton Music Pavilion jazz club and cafe. Schematic designs prepared by Design Collective outline an indoor and outdoor bar, kitchen, and main stage on the first level; a second-floor mezzanine and bar; a third-floor speakeasy; and a fourth-floor rooftop patio and bar.
In a project analysis submitted with the application, historic preservation consultant Randy F. Black evaluated the condition of 373 W. Rich St., which was constructed in 1920 and historically housed the Columbus Physicians and Druggists Supply Company. Black concluded that years of vacancy and roof failure resulted in severe water infiltration that compromised structural stringers, rafters, and interior floors. He also found that the exterior brick and mortar had been parged and stuccoed corner-to-corner and grade-to-eaves with inappropriate cementitious materials, destroying the building's historic integrity and rendering it ineligible for historic register listing.
To mitigate the loss of the historic structure, Black recommended completing full Historic American Buildings Survey documentation for city and state preservation archives and the Columbus Main Library. Black also recommended conducting 3D photographic scanning of the building's interior and exterior and salvaging its sound structural timber 'Y' arms, lateral bracing, and wooden columns for reuse in the new venue. The demolition and redevelopment proposal remains subject to review by Columbus historic preservation staff and the East Franklinton Review Board before any permits can be issued.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
COA2601006 · Certificate of Approval/Appropriateness — 373 W RICH ST
Supporting evidence (3)
The Certificate of Appropriateness application, designated COA2601006, was filed Sept. 16, 2026, by attorney Mike Shannon of KMCY Law on behalf of property owner Derrick Pannell to demolish the building at 373 W.
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373 W Rich St Demolition Demolishing the building located at 373 W Rich St.
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, the applicant supplemented the filing with current exterior photographs and interior photographic records from 2022.
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Document: Applicant Submitted Materials · 373 W Rich Current Photos.pdf · attachment 5396556 · 2026-10-07T00:00:00Z · 28.53 MB
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Supporting evidence (4)
Demolition of the structure would clear space for an outdoor amphitheater pavilion, outdoor restrooms, and a 22-space parking lot.
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SDC1 - Level 1, Option 3Blu Note - Franklinton Music Pavillion
Rich St., which developers plan to rehabilitate as the Blu Note Franklinton Music Pavilion jazz club and cafe.
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SDC1 - Level 1, Option 3Blu Note - Franklinton Music Pavillion
Schematic designs prepared by Design Collective outline an indoor and outdoor bar, kitchen, and main stage on the first level; a second-floor mezzanine and bar; a third-floor speakeasy; and a fourth-floor rooftop patio and bar.
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SDC1 - Level 1, Option 3Blu Note - Franklinton Music Pavillion
Retained video evidence
Supporting evidence (2)
Schematic designs prepared by Design Collective outline an indoor and outdoor bar, kitchen, and main stage on the first level; a second-floor mezzanine and bar; a third-floor speakeasy; and a fourth-floor rooftop patio and bar.
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Mezzanine
Rich St., which was constructed in 1920 and historically housed the Columbus Physicians and Druggists Supply Company.
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Columbus Physicians and Druggists Supply Company
Supporting evidence (1)
Schematic designs prepared by Design Collective outline an indoor and outdoor bar, kitchen, and main stage on the first level; a second-floor mezzanine and bar; a third-floor speakeasy; and a fourth-floor rooftop patio and bar.
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Speakeasy
Supporting evidence (5)
Schematic designs prepared by Design Collective outline an indoor and outdoor bar, kitchen, and main stage on the first level; a second-floor mezzanine and bar; a third-floor speakeasy; and a fourth-floor rooftop patio and bar.
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Roof Top Patio & Bar
Black concluded that years of vacancy and roof failure resulted in severe water infiltration that compromised structural stringers, rafters, and interior floors.
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years of vacancy compromised the building’s historic integrity and public safety.
Black concluded that years of vacancy and roof failure resulted in severe water infiltration that compromised structural stringers, rafters, and interior floors.
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The deteriorated conditions of the main roof structure allowing ongoing water infiltration to the stringers, rafters, plates, and interior ceilings and floors is significant.
He also found that the exterior brick and mortar had been parged and stuccoed corner-to-corner and grade-to-eaves with inappropriate cementitious materials, destroying the building's historic integrity and rendering it ineligible for historic register listing.
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The existing exterior brick and mortar have been previously parged and/or stuccoed corner-to-corner, from grade-to-eaves with inappropriate materials not in accordance with the Standards for Rehabilitation. Therefore the building is no longer eligible for listing.
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Supporting evidence (4)
To mitigate the loss of the historic structure, Black recommended completing full Historic American Buildings Survey documentation for city and state preservation archives and the Columbus Main Library.
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Prepare and provide full Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation
Black also recommended conducting 3D photographic scanning of the building's interior and exterior and salvaging its sound structural timber 'Y' arms, lateral bracing, and wooden columns for reuse in the new venue.
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Prepare 3D Photographic scanning of the interior and exterior of the brick and wood frame structure located at 373 West Rich Street.
Black also recommended conducting 3D photographic scanning of the building's interior and exterior and salvaging its sound structural timber 'Y' arms, lateral bracing, and wooden columns for reuse in the new venue.
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Recommend saving the existing large structural wooden ‘Y’ arm, lateral bracing and wooden columns where in sound existing condition for adaptive reuse in the new development plans.
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