The Franklin County District Board of Health held a Special Board Meeting today, for a hearing related to conditions at the Galloway Village apartments, located at 99 N. Murray Hill Rd, Columbus, OH 43228. After reviewing thorough and detailed evidence supplied by Franklin County Public Health staff and hearing comprehensive testimony from informed parties, including the Prairie Township Fire Marshall, the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, and Prairie Township officials, the Board of Health has declared the property known as the Galloway Village Apartments a public health nuisance and designated all buildings on the property as unfit for human habitation.
Franklin County Public Health was onsite at the Galloway Village apartments this week in response to numerous concerns and complaints from residents and neighbors. This week’s investigation and proceedings are the result of several months of coordinated efforts to improve conditions at the Galloway Village apartment complex.
It is important to note that today’s decision by the Board of Health will not displace the residents of the Galloway Village Apartments, no one will be asked to relocate or leave their home during the holidays. Beginning next week, members of the FCPH Care Coordination team will be available at the Prairie Township Government Building, 23 Maple Drive Columbus, Ohio 43228, to help provide support resources to Galloway Village tenants including relocation assistance, transportation assistance, health care and other basic needs-related support. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the Franklin County Jobs and Family Services have allocated $1 million in funding a portion of which will allow the FCPH Care Coordination team to provide the aforementioned support to the residents of Galloway Village. Please contact Franklin County Public Health’s Care Coordination team at CHW@franklincountyohio.gov or 614-525-4892 with any questions about available resources. Additional information about Care Coordination services can be found at https://myfcph.org/care-coordination-program/.
As a result of their findings, the Board of Health has given property management at the Galloway Village Apartments thirty (30) days to remedy the unhealthy and unsafe conditions on the premises. The Board’s findings that all buildings are unfit for human habitation may result in an enforcement action by Prairie Township pursuant to Revised Code section 505.86. At this Special Board Meeting, Franklin County Public Health Commissioner, Joe Mazzola said, “FCPH will continue to work with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Prairie Township, and other local officials and community partners to ensure the Galloway Village tenants find a safe and healthy place to reside.”