Bollinger Tower is a low-income senior apartment building that has recently completed extreme structural and decorative construction over the past year.  Renovations have included new doors and restyled hallways, completely updated lobby, dining, and recreation areas, the addition of an outdoor patio, and beautiful landscaping around the grounds.  Residents were luckily allowed to stay during the restoration, which saved them the hassle of moving out, finding temporary housing, and moving back in.  “It was noisy,” laughed Jamie Roberson, Commissioner on the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority Board and Bollinger Tower resident. “It worked out well though; we weren’t in anyone’s way.”

The building was old and was renovated in hopes of fitting in more with the Short North community. “We work really hard trying to make a difference and to be a part of the community, but being part of the community and being accepted into the community are two different things,” said Roberson. She has nicknamed Bollinger Tower “the building of hope” and said their hope is to become not only an accepted member of the community, but an asset. “With this new construction we are hoping to be able to open our doors to invite more people in to interact with residents as well as use some parts of the facility,” said Roberson.

The residents are “ecstatic” about the renovations and hope the community can soon appreciate them as well. “We don’t really have a recreation center for seniors in the area, so we’d like to see our building become more of a community center, especially for those seniors and our own,” added Roberson. Bollinger Tower is still undergoing some “finishing touch” renovations, but should be finished by the start of the holiday season.

By: Kristen Levenick