Merion Village - Columbus, Ohio

Information about the German Target Club, also known as the ‘Schuetzen Platz”, arrived in my mailbox thanks to Bob Leighty, president of the Merion Village Association. In an earlier post I questioned the information I had heard surrounding the building that now houses St. Paul United Church of Christ at 225 East Gates.

According to the articles, the Target Club opened the shooting range in the latter part of 1859. The three-acre area is said to have encompassed land between what is now Hanford Street to the south and Nursery Alley to the north. For thirty-three years the area was used for shooting practice. In July of 1892 the Target Club was dissolved as the younger generation of Germans lost interest in the activity.

Between 1892 and 1908 the building was owned by local florist Earl Metzmaier whose son William was a member of an organization known as The White Owl Club, but it is not stated with what activities the White Owl Club was involved.

The building later became a church and appears to have remained in use as such since 1908.

When the Columbus streetcar system is expanded south into Merion Village (of course it will) two possible routes exist to bring the line into the Village.

High Street is an obvious choice, since the street is wide enough to accommodate the system. If higher density housing is permitted along High Street through Merion Village, then we’d likely see an investment in upgrades and new builds, as property values always rise with immediate proximity (and within a few blocks ) of a fixed route transit line.

The other route would be down High Street then turning into the Village on Hanford, then turning south onto 4th Street. This route, while only a couple blocks off of High Street, could offer greater opportunities for redevelopment inside the Village. Fourth Street definitely needs an infrastructure boost, and this might be exactly what’s needed.

The challenge with the 4th Street line, however, is street width as well as where the line might exit the Village to the south. Woodrow is a logical choice, but turns from Hanford to 4th and 4th to Woodrow might not accommodate the width needed for the turns.

Ideally, the southern line should extend to Great Southern. In doing so, both German Village and Merion Village residents would have transit access to the shopping there, as well as quick access into downtown. While COTA route 16 takes residents to these destinations already, it would make sense to eliminate route 16 altogether with the addition of streetcars.

Which ever route is agreed upon, it’s important for Merion Village to get on board with the streetcar system so it will benefit the neighbors as well as economic development in the area.