Historic‑area approvals: council signs off on museum roof, downtown redevelopment plans and multiple storefront signs

Columbus historic‑preservation commissioners on Tuesday approved a series of Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) covering building repairs, new and relocated signage, a large mixed‑use rehabilitation and a five‑year renewal for a temporary parking lot near the stadium.

The most extensive review focused on the proposed rehabilitation at 145 South Front Street, a historic office building that the applicant plans to convert to mixed use with 92 apartment units, ground‑floor retail, new rooftop amenities including a pool and terraces, and a new curb cut for basement parking. Commissioners discussed the curb‑cut design, sidewalk treatment across the driveway apron and preservation of primary facades; they approved the COA subject to the outstanding engineering review by traffic/engineering staff and the applicant returning with final landscape‑lighting and window specifications for administrative review.

The Columbus Museum of Art received approval to replace worn roof materials with a copper roof. Museum representatives presented historical documentation showing the building originally had a copper roof and told commissioners the change is intended to be both…