COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Topiary Park Crossing apartments are officially open. The five-story building is bringing affordable housing to the area.
“Everybody in Columbus regardless of where you work, what your lifestyles are, or what your economic situation is [deserves affordable housing.] This project is one of many to come that is forging the pathway for Columbus as the best neighborhood,” said Alex Fischer, chair of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation board.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said the project is part of making downtown more inclusive and vibrant. It’s also about allowing anyone who wants to live downtown, the opportunity to do so.
“No resident, none of our neighbors should have to spend more than 30% of their income to live in safe housing in a neighborhood of their choice,” said Ginther.
Ginther believes as the city continues to grow, they will have to continue to provide more affordable housing.
“We believe (housing) is an economic development issue. If we want to continue to create jobs, we have the fastest growing economy in the Midwest. We created 27,000 jobs in eight years but we haven’t built enough housing,” said Ginther.
City Council President Shannon Hardin asked can the city get better as we get bigger? He said these apartments are the perfect example of doing so.
“Downtown is everyone’s neighborhood and it's one of the greatest neighborhoods because of everything here,” said Hardin.
People will start moving into the apartments on Friday. We spoke to a graduate student at Ohio State University who moved here from Georgia. He jumped at the opportunity to live downtown.
“I do like being close to businesses and stores,” said John Ali.
Ali said living at Topiary Park Crossing will set him up for a successful future.
“I want to be able to afford a house, I want to put a down payment on a house before I graduate school and so it’s going to help me save close to a down payment,” said Ali.
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