One of the greatest pleasures of settling into the Architectural Preservation Specialist role has been meeting so many of you in person. Whether you’ve stopped by to introduce yourself, share a neighborhood concern, or simply say hello, those conversations have reinforced what makes German Village special: its people.
We’ve also welcomed several walk-in visitors seeking guidance through the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process. These interactions have highlighted an opportunity for us to better support homeowners, contractors, and new residents, navigating historic district requirements. Moving forward, I’m working to develop strategies that will help streamline COA submissions, particularly regarding elevations, site plans, and dimensioned drawings. My goal is to make the process easier to understand and less stressful for homeowners.
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to meet with the City’s Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff, Jamie Goodman and Kimberly Barnard-Sheehy (German Village District’s dedicated staff liaison). The conversation reinforced several important themes:
First, organization matters. Residents often ask how they can effectively address recurring neighborhood concerns. One practical takeaway was the importance of documenting and organizing 311 requests. Consistent reporting helps establish patterns and can be instrumental in prompting city response when issues require attention.
Second, community education remains one of our strongest tools. As new neighbors move into German Village, we all have a role to play in welcoming them and helping them understand the COA process before a project begins. A friendly conversation early on can often prevent confusion and frustration later. It’s also important for residents to know where to turn for assistance. The German Village Society is here to help, and Kimberly Barnard-Sheehy (HPO staff) remains a great resource for navigating city processes and preservation requirements.
A particularly meaningful point discussed was the distinction between community care and community policing. Strong neighborhoods aren’t built solely through enforcement; they are built through relationships, communication, education, and neighbors helping neighbors. Historic preservation succeeds when residents understand not just the rules, but the reasons behind them.
One of the most significant projects currently before the German Village Commission is the proposed Cedar Square development.
The project would bring approximately 52 units into a three-story building along the district’s border near Livingston Avenue, Blenkner Street, Sixth Street, and Dixon Alley. The
proposal includes ground-floor parking and limited pedestrian connectivity throughout the site, as well as setbacks and various architectural details intended to soften its appearance. I encourage everyone to watch the meetings live on YouTube (link below) or attend in person, where Commissioners have discussed scale, pedestrian experience, neighborhood integration, and whether the design reflects the character and values that have made German Village one of the nation’s most celebrated historic communities.
These discussions deserve thoughtful public participation. To learn more about the Cedar Square proposal, you can attend the German Village Commission meeting on:
Wednesday, August 5 4:00 PM, 111 N. Front Street
2nd Floor, Hearing Room 204
If you would like to speak at the public comment section, please plan to arrive at 3:45 PM, and you will be allowed to speak for up to 3 minutes.
Finally, I am excited to share that I will be introducing my official Menu of Services in early August, outlining the various ways I can assist residents, homeowners, contractors, and prospective buyers navigating life in German Village.
Alongside it, we’ll be launching a COA Experience Survey to better understand approval timelines, application experiences, common project challenges, and opportunities to improve communication and clarity throughout the review process.
Thank you again to everyone who has stopped by, called, emailed, or introduced themselves. Your engagement demonstrates what has always set German Village apart: a community that cares deeply about its history, its neighbors, and its future. – GVC Meetings YouTube Link – – City of Columbus – YouTube (search for Special Meeting: German Village Commission)
