Historic Columbus celebrates 50 years of restoring landmarks

In the 1960s, the Springer Opera House was an eyesore slated for demolition. That inspired a group of community activists to save the dilapidated structure, giving birth to a new nonprofit organization.

Now, Historic Columbus is celebrating 50 years of restoring many of the city’s historical landmarks and original homes.

“Historic preservation is more than just saving old buildings — it’s about the people and the places they care about,” Elizabeth Barker, the organization’s executive director, wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. “Historic Columbus has worked hard to save the history of our town and the built environment that makes us special, our sense of place.”

To celebrate, the organization has a yearlong slate of monthly activities, ending with former NBC Anchorman Tom Brokaw as the featured speaker for the Golden Jubilee in November.

The next event will be a “50th Anniversary Founders Day” celebration scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Springer Opera House, 103 10th St. Speakers will included Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Mark McDonald, president of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation; and Paul Pierce, artistic director at the Springer.

The Board of Historic Columbus also has launched its first major capital campaign to commemorate the anniversary. Barker said it will include a signature project, and also expand current programs and introduce new revitalization tools to ensure continued growth in historic neighborhoods.

“‘Save Me A Place’ is a $10 million campaign that showcases why preservation is important to the future of Columbus,” she said. “Our goal is to raise these funds by the end of 2016.”

Janice Biggers, a Historic Columbus co-founder and former executive director, is co-chair of the capital campaign, along with Virginia Peebles, another former director. Barker said the group plans to continue its work through:

▪ The stabilization of City Mills (part of the Industrial Riverfront National Landmark District.)

▪ Additional programs at local schools to celebrate the community’s history.

▪ An expanded facade loan fund for historic districts and neighborhoods such as City Village, Waverly Terrace, Bibb City, East Highlands and East Wynnton.

▪ New rehab loans for commercial and residential properties.

▪ Increased acquisition funds to strategically plan revitalization.

Biggers and other concerned citizens formed Historic Columbus in 1966, after success saving the Springer. The group started with the revitalization of Columbus’ original residential neighborhoods, and has grown to impact 2,500 historic properties in 11 historic districts, Barker said.

Much of the restoration has occurred through the organization’s Revolving-Redevelopment Fund, which includes two programs that help restore historic neighborhoods. The first is the Facade Loan Program, which allows the organization to provide interest-free loans to private individuals to improve the outside of their homes. The second is the Acquisitions and Revitalization program, which saves endangered properties.

Barker said the Revolving-Redevelopment Fund has made over 200 loans, providing more than $950,000 in investments since 1997. The Acquisitions and Revitalization Program has saved 81 properties and returned over $12.5 million back onto the tax rolls, she said.

Columbus has three national landmark sites, Barker said. They include the Industrial Riverfront National Landmark District, the Springer Opera House and The Folly, located on First Avenue. Historic Columbus, in partnership with Ken Henson, are stabilizing the two buildings that comprise City Mills.

“They were endanger of being lost and now, we have the incredible opportunity to ensure they will be stabilized for a future developer to see their potential for development,” said Barker. “This will be the largest single investment in a preservation project that Historic Columbus has made in its 50 years.”

Peebles, who co-chairs the capital campaign with Biggers, joined Historic Columbus in the 1970s. She started as a volunteer, became an employee and then served as director for 13 years. During her tenure, the organization built Heritage Park, saved houses that would have otherwise been demolished, and started the facade loan program.

Peebles said the organization has a 50-year history of making an impact on Columbus, and that’s something to celebrate.

“I think the restoration of downtown, revitalization of Uptown Columbus, started with the revitalization of the Springer and then the Historic District,” she said. “It played an extremely major role in that because there was quite a flight to the suburbs, retail to shopping centers, residential out to the suburbs. I think if Historic Columbus hadn’t restored our Historic District, we really wouldn’t see the vitality and entertainment that we have downtown now.”

For more information on the Founder’s Day celebration and other upcoming events, go to http://historiccolumbus.com/event-category/event.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Historic Columbus celebrates 50 years of restoring landmarks."