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German Village Commission splits Old Mohawk proposal to save historic storefront
Read the full articleCommissioners voted Oct. 7 to divide The Old Mohawk's expansion into two parts, continuing review of the east storefront windows while approving a rear dining addition to protect original brickwork.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Special Meeting: German Village Commission (10/07/2026)
Supporting evidence (4)
The German Village Commission voted Wednesday, Oct. 7, to split Certificate of Appropriateness application COA 2600996 for The Old Mohawk into two parts, approving a rear addition while continuing review of the restaurant's historic storefront commission hearing.
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• t026.1 819 Mohawk Street (part 1) [COA 2600996] (s0781–s0939)
At the Oct. 7 meeting, commissioners objected to proposed alterations to the building's historic fabric, including modifications to the original first-floor east storefront facing Mohawk Street and cutting new window openings into the intact south exterior brick wall along East Kossuth Street commission debate.
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• t026.2 819 Mohawk Street (part 2) [COA 2600996] (s0940–s1057)
Part A, covering the first-floor east storefront, was continued for redesign under National Park Service Preservation Brief 11 guidelines for historic storefront rehabilitations storefront continuance.
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• t026.1 819 Mohawk Street (part 1) [COA 2600996] (s0781–s0939)
Part B, encompassing the single-story ground-floor addition, dormers, and alterations, was approved as amended addition approval.
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• t026.2 819 Mohawk Street (part 2) [COA 2600996] (s0940–s1057)
Supporting evidence (2)
Historic Preservation Office staff had previously advised that the property's front door and storefront windows are retained.
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1. The front door and storefront windows are retained.
Preservation staff previously noted that earlier revisions had already reduced the amount of brick wall being removed to connect the addition.
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The applicant has responded to Commissioners comments from the last hearing and reduced the amount of brick wall being removed to connect the addition and altered the proposed dormers to that they are between the existing chimneys.
Supporting evidence (2)
The approved plans permit a 549-square-foot rear addition and a 500-square-foot basement expansion at 819 Mohawk St. to accommodate expanded indoor seating and back-of-house operations, alongside a patio expansion.
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Restaurant Expansion 549 SF
Beyond the storefront's required return to the German Village Commission for Part A review, the broader project still requires Board of Zoning Adjustment variances due to its R-2F residential zoning district, including permissions to expand the nonconforming commercial use and maintain a 78-space parking deficit supported by valet service.
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Proposed Provided: 0 (-78 parking deficit) Valet to be provided.
Staff Recommends Approval With Conditions for The Old Mohawk Expansion
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique reported on Oct. 5 that Columbus preservation staff recommended approval with conditions for the project ahead of the commission's hearing in Staff Recommends Approval With Conditions for The Old Mohawk Expansion.
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Staff Recommends Approval With Conditions for The Old Mohawk Expansion