German Village Commission Approves Emergency Demolition at 788 S. Fifth St. to Save Leaning Historic Home

The German Village Commission granted a rare historic preservation exception on Oct. 7, 2026, approving emergency demolition of a collapsed rear addition to stabilize a leaning historic frame house at 788 S. Fifth St. Commission members voted during their special meeting to split application COA 2600948 into two parts, approving Part A for immediate structural stabilization while delaying action on Part B for a proposed replacement addition and front porch rebuild.

Under Columbus historic district guidelines, the commission generally prohibits demolishing any historic or non-historic portion of a property without an approved replacement plan in place. Commissioners made an exception to prevent the imminent collapse of the primary residence, authorizing emergency removal of the collapsed rear structure along with temporary wall infill and diaphragm panel stabilization. Concerns over structural integrity have persisted for nearly two years after a structural engineering report documented severe deterioration at the address on Nov. 1, 2024. An application seeking to demolish the rear structure and build an addition was submitted on June 1, 2026, but city preservation staff marked it incomplete, keeping it off the commission agenda until the Oct. 7, 2026, special meeting.

The overall proposal, submitted by architect Steve Hurtt on behalf of the property owner, outlines comprehensive stabilization and restoration work. Application filings propose to replace the porch, remove the rear addition, and add a new two-story addition to the rear while repairing the primary frame structure. Planned exterior rehabilitation measures include repair to the chimneys, slate roof, stop gutters, exterior trim, and siding.

While the commission authorized the emergency teardown and stabilization work under Part A, it continued Part B to allow further review of the permanent alterations. Commissioners directed the applicant to preserve misaligned historic window openings rather than altering the original wall framing, document the front porch reconstruction using historic photographs and original components salvaged in the backyard, and coordinate removal of an encroaching volunteer tree that threatens the foundation.

The German Village Commission is scheduled to hold a business meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 111 N. Front St., followed by its regular hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, where the applicant is expected to return with revised details for Part B.

The German Village Commission granted a rare historic preservation exception on Oct. 7, 2026, approving emergency demolition of a collapsed rear addition to stabilize a leaning historic frame house at 788 S. Fifth St. Commission members voted during their special meeting to split application COA 2600948 into two parts, approving Part A for immediate structural stabilization while delaying action on Part B for a proposed replacement addition and front porch rebuild.

Under Columbus historic district guidelines, the commission generally prohibits demolishing any historic or non-historic portion of a property without an approved replacement plan in place. Commissioners made an exception to prevent the imminent collapse of the primary residence, authorizing emergency removal of the collapsed rear structure along with temporary wall infill and diaphragm panel stabilization. Concerns over structural integrity have persisted for nearly two years after a structural engineering report documented severe deterioration at the address on Nov. 1, 2024. An application seeking to demolish the rear structure and build an addition was submitted on June 1, 2026, but city preservation staff marked it incomplete, keeping it off the commission agenda until the Oct. 7, 2026, special meeting.

The overall proposal, submitted by architect Steve Hurtt on behalf of the property owner, outlines comprehensive stabilization and restoration work. Application filings propose to replace the porch, remove the rear addition, and add a new two-story addition to the rear while repairing the primary frame structure. Planned exterior rehabilitation measures include repair to the chimneys, slate roof, stop gutters, exterior trim, and siding.

While the commission authorized the emergency teardown and stabilization work under Part A, it continued Part B to allow further review of the permanent alterations. Commissioners directed the applicant to preserve misaligned historic window openings rather than altering the original wall framing, document the front porch reconstruction using historic photographs and original components salvaged in the backyard, and coordinate removal of an encroaching volunteer tree that threatens the foundation.

The German Village Commission is scheduled to hold a business meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 111 N. Front St., followed by its regular hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, where the applicant is expected to return with revised details for Part B.