OTENA Timeline

History of the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association

1975

The Olde Towne East Development Association (OTEDA) forms and is incorporated as a 501(c)4 type, tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization.

1976

OTEDA is instrumental in obtaining a National Historic District designation for a portion of the association area. OTEDA participates in the Community Development Block Grant Program for a portion of

1979

OTEDA changes its name to the Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association (OTENA), which the membership felt better reflected the true nature of the Organization.

1980

OTENA adopts a resolution placing its highest priority on making improvements without displacing people already living in the community.

1981

OTENA negotiates with the American Red Cross and saves threatened housing stock on Madison Avenue.

1982

OTENA organizes a restoration program funded by a Community Development Block Grant, resulting in the planting of hundreds of flowering trees along the Near East Area streets. OTENA sponsors and produces.

1984

OTENA organizes and implements a property identification program. OTENA partners with Blackburn Recreation to sponsor a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.

1985

OTENA develops, implements the Community Garden Program with a grant from the Columbus Department of Human Services, which the community matches with 1,000 hours of free labor donated by 30

1986

OTENA Develops and produces a Haunted House Event in the basement of St. Paul’s Church. The event was produced for three years.

1988

OTENA sponsors the formation of a Block Watch Program in response to growing concerns about drug and crime in the area. OTENA participates in the City of Columbus Landscape Improvement.

1989

OTENA receives the Columbus Clean Community Certificate of Appreciation for participation in the Glad Bag-A-Thon.

1990

OTENA negotiates an agreement with the American Red Cross, which protects three residential homes from parking lot encroachment, creates a neighborhood corner park, and encourages joint use of parking areas.

1992

OTENA partners with five other community organizations to purchase the Community Garden site from its private owner. This effort is accomplished through a grant from the Columbus Neighborhood Partnership Fund.

1993

OTENA partners with the Columbus Near East Area Commission in the rezoning of a large portion of the area to reflect the actual name of its housing.

1994

OTENA upgrades and reprograms the Community Gardens funded by a grant from an area church. OTENA begins the Victorian Holiday Tour of Homes that showcases Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa celebrations.

1995

OTENA raised over $1500 and a truckload of supplies for Friends of the Homeless from the first Black Tie Gala held in conjunction with the annual Spring Tour of Homes.

1996

OTENA raised over $2000 for Central Community House from the second Black Tie Gala held in conjunction with the annual Spring Tour of Homes.

1999

OTENA forms the Historic Homes of Olde Towne Coalition that publishes Historical Homes of Olde Towne Pictorial Guide. OTENA helps the residents of Bryden House with over 100 holiday presents.

2000

OTENA receives the Public Education and Awareness Award from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio Historical Society.

2001

OTENA partners with the Columbus Landmarks Foundation to produce the Halleluiah Tour of area homes and churches. OTENA is instrumental in persuading a local developer to save five historic mansions.

2012

OTENA holds its 30th Summer Tour of Historic Homes.

2013

OTENA’s Summer Tour of Historic Homes features the Franklin Park Neighborhood showcases homes just east of OTE.

2015

OTENA celebrates its 40th anniversary, established in 1975 as Olde Towne East Development Association (OTEDA). OTENA’s Summer Tour of Historic Homes features Woodland Park Neighborhood.

2017

OTENA celebrates its 35th Annual Summer Tour of Historic Homes with the largest ticket sales of over 1,400 people.