A place of healing
A former church parsonage in Columbus has been transformed into a recovery home for men seeking help for substance use disorder.
The Chain Breaker House recently opened and took two residents who were previously living at similar facilities in Indianapolis have moved into the house to continue their treatment.
The nonprofit organization was formed by concerned Columbus-area Christians, who also operate the house.
The house can house up to six men struggling with alcohol or drug abuse issues and has two bedrooms, study areas, a kitchen, living room and finished basement.
The recovery home is the first of its kind in the county, potentially opening up doors for similar substance abuse recovery facilities in the future.
Out with the old, in with the new
A building that once housed St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, at 845 Eighth St., is expected to be demolished in May.
In its place, the property southeast of Eighth and Sycamore streets is scheduled to be developed into a $9.3 million multi-family residential complex featuring 60 market-rate apartments.
The units will be priced similarly to the Cole Apartments in downtown Columbus, with monthly rents ranging from about $950 to $1,150.
The project will be spearheaded by Rubicon Development Co. LLC of Indianapolis.
Some are upset with the changes, but the former church has been long abandoned.
While it’s tough to say goodbye to the places of which we hold fond memories, the prospects of new development should create excitement.
Serving a better purpose
Columbus recently agreed to transfer ownership of a vacant home on the city’s east side to Thrive Alliance, which plans to demolish the property and build a house for people in need.
The Columbus Board of Public Works recently approved transferring ownership of a vacant house on South Hinman Street, which was severely damaged in a fire in October, to the organization.
Thrive Alliance plans to demolish the property within 30 days and build a 1,300-square-foot house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the site.
The acquisition will free up other housing, in undisclosed locations, in Columbus for domestic violence survivors who transition out of Turning Point’s shelter. Construction for the project is expected to conclude in November.
Squatters had been trespassing on the property and the owner agreed to give the city the property if they would demolish the vacant, damaged home.
It was previously estimated that it could cost up to $12,000 to demolish the house, but but Thrive Alliance is working with United Way of Bartholomew County to gather volunteers to help demolish the home.
All involved should be proud of their efforts to turn a problematic situation into a positive outcome.
