State Library of Ohio to Close, Relocate Downtown Amid Apartment Redevelopment

The historic library building will be demolished to make way for a 419-unit residential complex in Columbus' Italian Village neighborhood.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The State Library of Ohio, located in Columbus' Italian Village, is closing indefinitely starting April 15 to prepare for relocation as a developer moves forward with plans to raze the existing 122,000-square-foot commercial property and redevelop the nearly 7-acre site into a 419-unit apartment complex.

Why it matters

The closure of the State Library of Ohio marks the end of an era for the historic institution, which has served Ohio's government, libraries, and residents for decades from its Italian Village location. The redevelopment of the site also signals broader changes sweeping through the neighborhood, as aging commercial properties make way for new high-density residential projects.

The details

Cincinnati developer Merus, recently rebranded from AI. Neyer, filed plans in February to demolish the existing building that houses the State Library of Ohio, the Ohioana Library Association, a NAPA Auto Parts shop, and the Columbus Performance Academy. In its place, Merus plans to construct five apartment buildings with a total of 419 units and a parking garage. The State Library of Ohio, a state agency that serves Ohio government, libraries, and residents, will move its staff offices to downtown Columbus and transfer its nearly two million-item collection to a specialized archival facility in Gahanna.

  • The State Library of Ohio will close indefinitely starting April 15, 2026 to prepare for relocation.
  • Items currently checked out from the State Library must be returned by May 30, 2026 before the Gahanna facility opens its book drop in early July.

The players

Merus

A Cincinnati-based developer that recently rebranded from AI. Neyer and filed plans to redevelop the State Library of Ohio's Italian Village site into a 419-unit apartment complex.

State Library of Ohio

A state agency that serves Ohio's government, libraries, and residents, and is relocating from its historic Italian Village location as the site is redeveloped.

Ohioana Library Association

An organization that currently occupies the building that houses the State Library of Ohio, and will be displaced by the redevelopment project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The State Library of Ohio is embarking on a new phase of transformation, building on a long legacy of planning and innovation to deliver outstanding library services today and for generations to come.”

— State Library of Ohio spokesperson

What’s next

The rezoning application for the redevelopment project will go before the Italian Village Commission at its April 14, 2026 meeting.

The takeaway

The closure of the State Library of Ohio's historic Italian Village location is a bittersweet milestone, as the institution's long-standing presence in the neighborhood gives way to the broader residential redevelopment trends transforming Columbus' urban core. While the library's services will continue in a new downtown location, the loss of this iconic building marks the end of an era for the State Library and the Italian Village community.