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Columbus City Schools board approves demolition of four vacant district buildings
Summary
The board unanimously approved motions to demolish four long-vacant district properties—Monroe Middle, Lynmore Education Center, Barry Middle and Bowmont Elementary—citing structural damage, mold, flooding and vandalism and intent to remove blight from district property.
The Columbus City Schools board voted unanimously on May 20 to demolish four vacant district structures that have suffered years of water damage, mold, roof failure and vandalism.
President Cole moved separate motions to authorize demolition of Monroe Middle School (474 North Monroe Avenue), Lynmore Education Center (2001 Hamilton Avenue), Barry Middle School (2740 Lockorn Road) and Bowmont Elementary (2155 Fenton Avenue). The roll calls for each motion were recorded as unanimous "yes" votes by board members present.
Chief Operating Officer Maurice Woods and facilities staff presented photographs and condition assessments that the board said justified demolition: boarded windows and doors, extensive mold in auditoriums, roof membrane failures, flooding and airborne asbestos risks at some sites. Woods said the district owns roughly 9.88 million square feet of facilities and that demolitions are intended to reduce blight and address safety hazards while enabling future site decisions.
Board discussion referenced previous authorizations for other demolitions and noted House bill language under consideration at the state level that could limit demolition or require additional approvals for property sales above specified thresholds. Vice President Adair and other members asked for continued community engagement and transparency on disposal and future use of cleared sites.
Each demolition motion: President Cole moved; seconds were noted in the record; roll-call tallies recorded yes votes from President Cole, Vice President Adair, Miss Vera, Miss Engles, Dr. Pierce and Mr. Simmons. Following the votes the board carried the motions and the superintendent's office expects demolition work on other previously authorized sites to begin the following week.
Next steps: the district will proceed with demolition planning for the four sites and coordinate any required permitting, environmental mitigation and community notifications prior to demolition contractors beginning work.
