United Way seeks buyer for its Downtown building
Preferably developer who can offer affordable housing
The United Way of Central Ohio is seeking a buyer for its Downtown building, preferably a developer who can add affordable housing to the site.
The charity on Monday issued a request for proposals for the building, at 360 S. 3rd St. Development proposals that include affordable housing “will be given special consideration,” the United Way noted.
“Central Ohio is in desperate need of affordable housing, and our property is a prime location for redevelopment, as it is conveniently located to bus lines, services and nearly 100,000 jobs in the central core of the city,” the organization’s president, Lisa Courtice, said in a news release.
“We want developers to meet a critical need and improve equity in the transformation of our desirable location.”
The three-story brick building, erected in 1969, includes about 34,000 square feet. The Franklin County Auditor’s office values the building at $2.17 million.
The United Way has used the building as its headquarters since 1978, when
Battelle Memorial Institute Foundation donated the building to the charity. The United Way plans to leave the building before the end of 2022 to colocate with other nonprofits.
“We are currently in negotiations,” Courtise said when asked about the agency’s future location.
Courtise said 43 United Way staff members work in the building, along with 50 employees of other tenants.
Preliminary proposals for the property are due Feb. 28. Final applicants will be invited to submit full plans by April 22. jweiker@dispatch.com @Jimweiker