Earlier this week, the Columbus RetroMetro blog featured an interactive map of the area of East Broad Street which is currently the focus of concern by many in Columbus’ historic preservation community.

At issue is the planned demolition of the Joseph Firestone mansion, which is called for in expansion plans of the Columbus Foundation, the mansion’s neighbor to the west. The project in question involves ongoing restoration of the Columbus Foundation headquarters, which previously served as the Ohio Governor’s Mansion from 1920 through 1957.

Energetic discussion about the planned demolition is currently underway in Columbus Underground, a local blog, which features a photograph of the house. While an article about the controversy was published in the August 22 Columbus Dispatch, the online link to that article is not currently working.

The revealing RetroMetro map includes the ability to access site plans for the project (click on the middle map marker), which apparently involve the creation of additional parking and green space. The plans seem to beg the question as to why an important piece of local history must necessarily be lost in this process.

Photo:  Site of Columbus Foundation Redevelopment Project/Google Maps