Fifth by Northwest

Single-family homes in 5xNW

Originally designated as the North Grandview Area Commission (NGAC), the name of the organization was ultimately changed to The Fifth by Northwest Area Commission in reference to the primary intersection of two main crossroads (5th Avenue and Northwest Boulevard) in the heart of the neighborhood. This designation was created in lieu of a term referring to the corridor connecting central Columbus to the City of Grandview.[1]

The Fifth by Northwest Area Commission describes themselves as the official, grassroots liaison to Columbus City Council on behalf of neighborhood residents and property owners, local businesses, and developers of the neighborhood. The commission advocates on issues related to basic neighborhood infrastructure as well as the continued development of the area in a way that is sustainable and modern, while still maintaining the neighborhood's historic charm. They also manage a number of community projects including the neighborhood's biking initiative and community gardens. Commission meetings are open to the public and are held the first Tuesday of every month at St. Luke's Church on Fifth Avenue.[3]

Many of the landmarks in 5xNW overlap with Grandview Heights. For instance, Grandview Avenue is a major thoroughfare in the area, with many shops and restaurants designed with walkability in mind. St. Christopher's Catholic Church is another major landmark that has been in the neighborhood for more than 50 years. Most of the congregation's 600 families live in the area and send nearly 170 children to the parish's Trinity Elementary School. St. Christopher also houses a bike shelter established by the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission.[3][4] Another notable location would be Saint Luke's United Methodist Church as the 5xNW Area Commission meets there on the first Tuesday of every month.[3]

Multi-resident home in 5xNW

Located on the grounds of the Boulevard Presbyterian Church, the community garden is another instance of overlap between 5xNW and Grandview Heights. The 5xNW community garden was established via a grant awarded by the Scott's Miracle Gro/Columbus Foundation "Going Into Green" program in 2011. The produce from the garden is sourced to the community food bank run by the Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbus. The garden's raised beds were constructed by Green Columbus as a part of city-wide Earth Day celebrations. The garden is cared for on a continuous basis by members of the congregation at Boulevard Presbyterian Church.[5]

Although there are no parks or open space for recreational use in the planning area, recreational areas are available close by in neighboring jurisdictions. One such area is the Olentangy Trail, which can be found to the east of the area. Additionally, a number of playgrounds and parks can be found nearby in Grandview Heights.

Many of the building spaces in the area are apartment style complexes with multiple individual renters inside of them. Though some of the houses are individual and others not both styles are set back off the road by about 25 feet with 10 feet in between them and another house/unit.[2] The average house price is around $167,800 with a median household income of between: $31,026 - $37,568.[8] Residential development in the area is ongoing. After a fire in 2009 that devastated a number of businesses on Grandview Avenue, including the Kingswood building (a two-story retail structure), the Columbus-based Wagenbrenner Co. redeveloped the site with the four-story mixed residential and commercial complex known as the Windsor Building which opened in early 2011.[10] Also in 2011, the Edwards Development Co. began construction on a 190- to 205-unit luxury apartment complex near Grandview Heights on 3rd Avenue known as the Tribeca, which opened in 2012.[11]

Walkable commercial area in 5xNW

The 5xNW neighborhood has seen a great deal of commercial development in recent years, with an emphasis on maintaining the walkability and "neighborhood feel" of the area, as it appeals to millennials and "empty-nesters", according to the Fifth by Northwest Area Commission. The majority of commercial uses are located on Fifth Avenue, Grandview Avenue, King Avenue and Third Avenue with a number of multi-family housing being located throughout this planning area (particularly to the North of King Ave.).

Community institutions such as schools and churches can be found throughout the area as well. Although it overlaps with the Grandview Heights neighborhood, Grandview Avenue is home to a diverse thoroughfare populated with a number of shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes including Jeni's Ice Cream, Stauf's Coffee Roasters, and other favorites among Columbus natives.

Multi-resident home in 5xNW

The Lennox Town Center is also a major commercial shopping center, located just to the north of the 5xNW neighborhood, along Olentangy River Road, occupied by a number of franchise retail stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.