Ohio Democratic Party building could be replaced by affordable housing

A Lancaster developer is planning to build a four-story affordable housing complex on the site of the Ohio Democratic Party headquarters Downtown.

Fairfield Homes, in Lancaster, is proposing 65 apartments on the top three floors of the 105,000-square-foot building, above 65 ground-level parking spaces and commercial space.

The building would replace the two-story brick building at 340 E. Fulton St., which has housed the Ohio Democratic Party.

Fairfield bought the property from the party in September for $1.95 million. The party plans to move from the building later this year into a new space, said party spokesman Matt Keyes.

Fairfield is proposing a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in a U shape around a terrace on the roof of the parking level. A lobby would occupy the corner of the ground floor and a 1,600-square-foot commercial space would front South Grant Avenue.

The property would be accessed from both Fulton Street and South Grant Avenue.

The proposal is scheduled to come before the Columbus Downtown Commission Tuesday morning.