COHA coming down
A J. Irwin Miller-commissioned building has run out of time.
Cummins company officials recently announced demolition plans for its COHA facility, located at 605 Cottage Ave in Columbus. The 21,000-square-foot, three-level glass enshrouded building started coming down on Sept. 9 after five years of trying to find a new owner.
The building, built in 1973, was originally designed as an innovative space to deliver medical services. It featured a tremendous amount of glass, open spaces with sloped walkways and exposed mechanicals.
The local engine company made sure it met with several community stakeholders in trying to figure out the best use for the property.
While it’s hard to say goodbye to any original piece of local architecture, Cummins did its due diligence in trying to find a new owner before making its final decision.
Expanding treatment options
A new place of healing is now serving the public.
The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress (ASAP) opened its first sober living transitional home, for men who are attempting to overcome substance abuse disorder in Columbus, last week. The 1,734-square-foot facility is housing four men (one per room), but plans to one day expand to nine residents.
ASAP isn’t the first local organization to create a transitional home, and won’t be the last.
Centerstone already has a home on Whitney Court, and Fresh Start Recovery Center, an addiction treatment facility for expectant women and mothers, plans to open a space in the future.
With Bartholomew County on the brink of eclipsing last year’s overdose totals, it’s essential that a range of treatment options exist for locals.
Providing additional aid
While restrictions have loosened since the spring, many local businesses are still struggling to pay bills due to pandemic-related conditions.
Thankfully a second round of help is coming to businesses in the city, as the Columbus INvigorate program has opened a second round of small business loans.
In the first round of applications, 43 local small businesses received loans totaling $716,000. The Columbus City Council approved $1 million in city funds for the program back in April, so there’s about $300,000 still set aside for the loans.
Loans range from $5,000 to $25,000. The loans have a six-month deferral of interest and principal payments on the three-year terms. After the six-month deferral, the interest rate is 1%.
The city is right to continue offering the program as the county, state, and country continues to grapple with the virus.
