The Fort Rapids Indoor WaterPark Resort in east Columbus, which has been closed for quite some time, is now under new management following court orders. A Franklin County Environmental Court has named New Perspective Asset Management as the receiver responsible for the deserted property, tasked with securing, preserving, and maintaining the site amid ongoing legal battles, WBNS reported.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein expressed relief over the appointment and described the resort as "a blight on the east side." In a statement obtained by The Columbus Dispatch, Klein indicated that "a receiver stepping in to secure, preserve and maintain the property is a step in the right direction following the negligence" and dangerous conditions under the previous ownership, according to the WBNS News. The site has been in a state of disrepair, with a fire in October causing significant structural damage and leaving a large hole in the roof, prompting parts of the property to be slated for demolition.
Jeff Oh Kern, the current property owner, has faced legal repercussions for the site's decline. Contempt charges were brought against Kern after repeated failures to address safety code violations, leading to a judge doubling daily fines and imposing a hefty $199,000 in contempt fines, as noted by NBC4i. Klein's office highlighted that fines remain unpaid, and Kern has not been present for several court dates, resulting in a court-ordered jail sentence and an outstanding arrest warrant.
Despite the ongoing legal issues and the property's dire state, plans for redevelopment have not been abandoned. Columbus real estate agent Dan Sheeran and Drever Capital Management have been approved to purchase the property and intend to transform it into affordable workforce housing. They've already invested significantly in the project, even in the aftermath of the damaging fire. However, WBNS indicated that the property sale is pending until the resolution of the current lawsuit.
As legal proceedings continue, New Perspective Asset Management takes on the role of caretaker to ensure that the property does not further deteriorate. This marks another chapter in the saga of the Fort Rapids property, which began as a bustling water park in 2006, only to close a decade later due to various violations and infractions, and now stands as a touchpoint for community reinvestment discussions on Columbus' East Side.
