Plans for former Latitude Five25 presented to community

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Plans for the redevelopment of a troubled east Columbus apartment complex are in the works.  

The Near East Area Commission held a special meeting for the community Thursday on the future of the now-closed Latitude Five25 apartment complex.  

Diane McCall and her husband Sonny have lived right across from the site for 22 years. She said that right now, the property is a headache and thorn in their side. 

"I knew what the neighborhood looked like back in the day," Diane McCall said. "It was well kept, it was clean, we didn't have all these problems. Of course, times change, people change, so it went downhill from there." 

Latitude Five25 residents were forced to move from the building on Christmas day of 2022 when the pipes burst in the 400-unit twin apartment towers, leaving tenants with no potable water, heat or fire systems. 

At Thursday's meeting, residents heard from leaders with Nuveen Real Estate, Simmons Corporation and S. Cain Development, who made it clear they will not only invest, but operate the property. They said their mission is to create a high-quality development that reflects the goals of the community, reconnects the site with the neighborhood and provides opportunities for financial stability for hundreds of families.  

"We don't come into anybody's community and tell them what to do, how we're going to build," Nadir Settles, global head of impact investing at Nuveen Real Estate, said. "We think it's a reciprocal process, a mutual process, and we wanted to hear the feedback, and we can incorporate that feedback. We can consider that feedback."  

The stakeholders have proposed nearly 400 long-term affordable housing units for tenants who may otherwise be rent burdened. Around half of the units will be reserved for families with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income.  

"We think that our model of vertical integration, where we will develop the site, we will build the site, we will manage the site for many years to come is so well-suited to this unique challenge where the community is really seeking accountability and stewardship for this site which has been lacking in the past," Max Zarin, director of development for Paths Development, said.  

Residents raised concerns about keeping the history of the site alive and not repeating the same mistakes.  

"My opinion, we'll see," Diane McCall said. "Proof is in the pudding. Show me." 

Stakeholders are hoping to welcome their first residents in the fall of 2028.  

To provide feedback directly to the stakeholders, email sawyertowers@pathsco.com.