To the Editor:
As a resident of German Village and Chair of the German Village Society’s Historic Preservation Committee, I am writing out of deep concern for the ongoing and unnecessary destruction of historic sandstone curbs in our neighborhood. These curbs, hand-cut in the 19th century by immigrant stonemasons, are not just stones. They are part of the original streetscape that gives German Village its nationally recognized character.
In recent months, contractors working on behalf of the City of Columbus have demolished these curbs during ADA ramp installations — without public notice and without obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). Every homeowner in German Village is required to secure a COA for any sidewalk, curb, or exterior work affecting historic materials. Yet the City has proceeded as though it is exempt from the very rules that residents must follow.
The result is permanent loss. Once these sandstone curbs are removed and replaced with modern concrete, they cannot be recreated. Their historic craftsmanship and material integrity are gone forever.
Columbus has seen the consequences of losing historic resources before. Past administrations allowed the demolition of iconic structures, including the city’s historic train station — losses that residents still regret decades later. We should have learned from those mistakes. Allowing historic sandstone curbs to be destroyed today repeats the errors of previous administrations.
The timing of the City’s response is also concerning. The public hearing on this issue has been scheduled for the week immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday and at the start of the Christmas season, a period when many residents are traveling or occupied with family commitments. A matter of such importance to a historic district deserves broader community participation and a more accessible timeline.
This is not a conflict between accessibility and preservation. Cities across the country successfully accomplish both. German Village has long supported ADA improvements, and our guidelines provide clear, feasible pathways to upgrade infrastructure while protecting historic materials.
The issue is accountability and stewardship. If the City had followed the same COA process expected of every homeowner, these irreplaceable curbs would still be in place today. As we approach the December 4 hearing, I urge Columbus leaders to reaffirm their commitment to historic preservation by requiring COA review for all City-led work in designated historic districts.
Preservation is not an obstacle to progress. It is part of what makes our city worth protecting.
Sincerely,
Michael Gallaugher
808 Jaeger Street
Chair, Historic Preservation Committee
German Village Society
