OSU, Columbus plan bitchin’ summer spot in Hilliard

By: BERNERD CORRAL

HILLIARD–Opponents of a boathouse on the Sciotto River are about to get a big slap in the face.

At the Nov. 17 meeting of Columbus City Council, OSU officials announced their intent to expand plans for a boathouse on the est bank of the Sciotto River in Hilliard.

“We’re going to add a beach house, or mansion, you might call it,” said George Sanderson, OSU development director.

The location, which is currently parkland behind the Society Terce subdivision, does not have what amounts to a beach, but OSU officials to plan to let that stop them.

“We’re going to truck in 100 tons of sand and make outselves a beach,” Sanderson said. ”Then we’re going to build ourselves a 2,000-square-foot pimp pad. We’re gonna get all the ladies.”

When Ohio State University and the City of Columbus proposed the installation of a boat house last spring Hilliard residents were far from happy. Columbus City Council is unsure how they’ll take this latest news.

“It’s pretty ballsy,” said Councilwoman Kathy Krumer. “But it’s OSU. We can’t, as a legislative body, stand up to OSU. They could destroy this city with the shake of a leg.”

Residents argue the boathouse would be better suited on the east bank, where other boathouses now reside.

OSU will use the $6 million, 40,000-square-foot site for the OSU women’s varsity rowing team and Greater Columbus Rowing Association, and says the west bank is preferred for it’s looks.

“It’s just prettier over there, all that parkland. It’s perfect for our big ass boathouse,” said OSU rowing team coach Sam Schnieder.

Schneider did not know what to think of the beach house.

“I’m just here for the rowing, man,” he said.

Opposition from both residents of Hilliard and the City of Hilliard has been ongoing for months, but the city’s hands are tied.

“We can’t really do anything about it,” said Hilliard Mayor Denny Wood. “The City of Columbus is all powerful. It doesn’t matter if it is our land, this is OSU, and we’re all OSU’s bitches.”

When asked about the opposition, witnessed through protests and the organization of several official groups, including the Anti-Rowing League, and the Women Against Land Use Coalition, or WALUS, Sanderson said he didn’t see how OSU could ever make them happy anyway. 

“We figured the residents are already pissed off. They can’t possibly get more teed-off.”

Columbus City Council approved OSU’s new plans unanimously at Monday’s meeting. OSU expects to start construction in the spring.