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Downtown Columbus landmark will house healthcare workers during pandemic

A new use for old post office
Heroes House.jpg
Posted at 8:33 PM, Apr 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-19 15:11:39-04

COLUMBUS -- Columbus has come up with a unique temporary use for a downtown landmark.

For now, the former main post office on Washington Street will be called "CRH Heroes House". CRH for Columbus Regional Health.

It will be a place to stay for local healthcare workers while treating COVID-19 patients at Columbus Regional Health Hospital. It gives healthy workers a way to keep their families safe from the risk of exposure, according to CRH Public Relations Coordinator Kelsey DeClue.

Local restaurants will provide meals.

All of this is possible because the building has 17 private rooms with their own bathrooms that will eventually be used by mothers trying to overcome addiction. But the opening of the Volunteers of America Fresh Start Recovery Center at Columbus House was delayed because of the pandemic.

The Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana are working with CRH to make it happen. Once the sturdy limestone building is no longer needed as a safe haven for healthcare workers, it will take on its planned new role.