COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Plans to tear down the former Spaghetti Warehouse building are moving forward, with the state announcing millions of dollars in funding to go toward building demolition and other revitalization projects.
In January, plans to demolish the Spaghetti Warehouse building at 397 W. Broad St. to make way for an apartment development with 534 units and a 577-space parking garage went before the Downtown Commission. On Tuesday, the commission approved a revised version of that proposal, which now calls for 235 units and 182 parking spaces.
Called 397 West Broad LLC, the project is owned by Robert Weiler of the Robert Weiler Company, Pat Kelley of Kelley Companies and Spaghetti Warehouse owner Doug Pak. They said in a letter to the commission in September that the building, which suffered a partial roof collapse in 2022, is, “simply too old and unsafe and needs to be taken down.” The owners reaffirmed that claim Tuesday.
“As the current owners of 397 W. Broad St., we would much prefer to save and restore the former Spaghetti Warehouse building and would do so if it was economically feasible,” they wrote. “Safety is the reason why we are demolishing this building.”
Before demolition can take place, the applicants have to provide a site plan and historic building survey report. If those are consistent with the commission’s outlines, they’ll issue a certificate and the owners can apply for a demolition permit.
The plans show two buildings would be built on the site, with one holding 125 units and 88 parking spaces and the other 110 units and 94 parking spaces. It also indicated that part of the first building could be used as retail space.
On Oct. 15, a week before the plans were approved, the state Department of Development awarded $52 million for brownfield remediation and demolition projects. The Spaghetti Warehouse demolition was among those projects.
Spaghetti Warehouse, known for the streetcar and other memorabilia at its sprawling Franklinton location, has since reopened Downtown.
