In the News: Stories About Our Work
Our mission comes to life through the people and places we serve, and we’re grateful when the media helps us share that story.
2/11/2026
In a recent Columbus Underground article, renovation work is set to begin this spring on two historic buildings along West Broad Street in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood. The project, led by Hilltop RISE with renovation oversight from Arch City Development Consultants — where CRC Executive Director Sarah Arellano Higgins and Associate Director Brian Higgins also serve — focuses on preserving naturally occurring affordable housing while revitalizing commercial storefront space along this growing corridor.
The buildings include ten apartments and more than 6,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Plans prioritize maintaining affordable rents, supporting local entrepreneurship, and strengthening transit-oriented development near the future West Broad Bus Rapid Transit line.
This effort reflects continued collaboration among local nonprofits, community developers, and neighborhood stakeholders to reinvest in the Hilltop while keeping housing accessible.
👉 Read the full article here
📸 Photo by Vincent Nobel Photography, courtesy Hilltop RISE
🎨 “Welcome to Westgate” mural by Clint Davidson
1/22/2026
CRC board member Yohannan "Yogi" Terrell was recently featured on the Six One Forward podcast, where he shared his vision for positioning Columbus as a nationally recognized fashion and creative capital. In the episode, Yogi reflects on his early influences, creative journey, and the lessons that shaped his approach to building sustainable, community-centered creative ecosystems.
The conversation also explores The Loom, Yogi’s latest project designed to bring designers, makers, and retailers together under one roof—strengthening local talent, fostering collaboration, and investing intentionally in the future of Columbus’s creative economy. The episode highlights how culture, creativity, and place-based investment can work together to shape a more vibrant and inclusive city.
1/13/2026
614NOW recently featured the Whitechapel Development, a planned 103-unit, five-story apartment building at 640 W. Town Street in Franklinton that is designed to provide long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness. The article highlights that the project, originally proposed several years ago, received approval from the East Franklinton Review Board late last year and could begin construction as soon as this spring.
The development team — led by Arch City Development and Bianchi Development Company in partnership with local nonprofits — is advancing the project with a focus on creating supportive, sustainable housing in a neighborhood experiencing significant reinvestment.
CRC Associate Director Brian Higgins has played a key role in moving this work forward, helping navigate design revisions and approvals while ensuring the project remains feasible in today’s development environment. His leadership reflects CRC’s commitment to practical, community-centered housing solutions that promote long-term stability.
1/7/2026
Apartments for Homeless To Be Built in Franklinton! As highlighted by Columbus Underground, this project reflects the realities of today’s development environment and the importance of thoughtful, adaptive solutions. CRC Associate Director Brian Higgins, in his role with Arch City Development Consultants, helped guide the project through a redesign that made it financially viable while increasing the number of homes, prioritizing long-term stability, and responding to community feedback.
The updated plan replaces parking with housing, adds outdoor community space, and ensures the project can actually move forward — because approvals only matter if homes get built.
Rendering by: Berardi + Partners
11/25/2025
A new Columbus Dispatch article explores what “affordable housing” truly means in Columbus — and features insight from both CRC Executive Director Sarah Arellano Higgins and CRC Board Member Michael Wilkos. The piece highlights how HUD’s standard of housing costing no more than 30% of household income still leaves many working families, essential workers, and moderate-income households struggling to keep up with rising rents.
Sarah and Michael emphasize the urgent need for a full spectrum of housing options — from deeply affordable units to workforce housing — to ensure stable families, inclusive neighborhoods, and a resilient local economy.
👉 Read the full article here
📸 Photo credit: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch
11/12/2025
👉 Read the full article here
📸 Photo credit: Columbus Business First
Columbus Business First profiled the launch of the Columbus Redevelopment Corporation, highlighting Executive Director Sarah Arellano Higgins and CRC’s mission to expand equitable, community-centered affordable housing development across Columbus. The story covers CRC’s early redevelopment focus in Linden, its role in supporting tax credit and compliance-focused projects, and how the organization plans to fill critical gaps in the region’s affordable housing pipeline.
10/28/2025
Working Families in Franklin County Tackle Housing & Development Hurdles
In a recent appearance, Michael Wilkos of United Way of Central Ohio, and CRC Board member, highlighted the complex housing and infrastructure challenges facing working-class families in Franklin County. He spoke about the critical need for coordinated redevelopment efforts, public-private partnerships, and strategic investment to ensure stable, affordable housing and thriving neighborhoods. The conversation underscores CRC’s mission-driven focus on collaborating with community partners to build equitable housing solutions.
10/21/2025
A new Columbus Business First article spotlights the exciting wave of redevelopment underway in East Franklinton — an area transforming through creative partnerships and community-driven design.
The feature includes work led by Arch City Development, founded by CRC Associate Director Brian Higgins, whose leadership and vision continue to shape equitable redevelopment across Columbus. While Brian’s efforts on this project come through Arch City, his role at CRC reflects the same mission of inclusive growth and thoughtful neighborhood investment.
CRC will continue sharing how our staff is involved in shaping projects like these — from housing and community partnerships to neighborhood planning and creative reuse initiatives that center residents and long-term affordability.
👉 Read the full article here
📸 Photo credit: Columbus Business First
10/8/2025
CRC Associate Director Brian Higgins was recently featured in a Columbus Underground article discussing the impact of new federal tariffs on local housing development. Higgins noted that rising construction costs threaten affordability and create new challenges for developers working to meet community housing needs.
CRC remains committed to bridging the gap between community needs and development realities, even amid shifting economic and policy conditions.
10/6/2025
Columbus Underground recently highlighted the launch of the Columbus Redevelopment Corporation (CRC), sharing our mission to bridge gaps in affordable housing and create stronger, more inclusive communities. The article explores why CRC was founded, the work we’re already undertaking, and how we’re partnering with others to make meaningful change in Columbus.
9/12/2025
CRC Board Members Making Moves in the Community
Our board members are driving innovation and impact across Columbus — from housing to fashion, design, and beyond.
CCAD and Columbus Fashion Alliance to Launch “The Loom” at Grant Avenue
Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is partnering with the Columbus Fashion Alliance to transform the former Grant Avenue building into The Loom — a 43,000-square-foot fashion innovation hub designed to nurture creative entrepreneurship in Columbus. The project, led by Alliance Founder and Executive Director Yohannan “Yogi” Terrell, who also serves on the CRC Board of Directors, will provide mentorship, prototyping facilities, business support, and community programming that strengthen the city’s growing fashion ecosystem.
“The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being.” – Thomas Jefferson