A Franklin County judge ordered the arrest of the owner of the Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Thursday.
The east side Columbus waterpark's owner, Jeff Kern, failed to attend a hearing for the nuisance property case in Franklin County Municipal Court's Environmental Division. Judge Stephanie Mingo held Kern in contempt of court and ordered his arrest for failing to bring the property into compliance with city safety codes.
The blighted property was acquired by Kern for $2.5 million at a 2017 auction. It was condemned by the city the year before.
In 2021, the property was declared a public nuisance because Kern allegedly failed to clean it up and bring it back up to code.
Kern, who is from Los Angeles, was ordered in June to submit a rehab plan for the property, a timeline to get repairs done and proof of funding before the hearing, or face jail time.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement that the city will use every tool available to hold the owners accountable and bring the property up to code. He says the city wants to reignite the site's economic potential.
The judge set a $2.5 million bond upon Kern’s arrest.
A hearing to decide the receiver of the property is set for October.
