By Alex Bandar + Jim Sweeney
Updates
After a quiet planning period at the end of 2013, our project has exploded into action in the past few months. We celebrated our official groundbreaking, completely built out the first floor of the project—on schedule and on budget—and most recently, the Columbus Idea Foundry moved into the space and has now begun operations!
The groundbreaking was amazing, from the great turnout to the chest-bump from the Mayor! It seems that this city has been waiting for a project like this one and they are ready to respond. The entire creative community of Columbus took notice and many of them showed up, and so did the media. Jim Sweeney of the Franklinton Development Association kicked off the ceremony, and introduced President and CEO of the Columbus Foundation Mr. Doug Kridler, who spoke on behalf of the Columbus Foundation, and also presented some extremely kind words provided by ArtPlace America for the occasion. Other local dignitaries offered their support and congratulations. Then Alex Bandar introduced Mayor Michael B. Coleman who was instrumental in providing the grant to the FDA to purchase the building. Alex challenged the Mayor to a “power tool drag race,” an event in which old tools are repurposed into race cars—much the same way that our 100-year-old manufacturing building is being repurposed into a creative entrepreneurship center, and even more broadly, how Franklinton, the oldest neighborhood in Columbus, is now being revitalized into a hub of creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Alex Bandar at ground breaking ceremony; photo by Rob Turner[/caption]
Work began in earnest despite the coldest winter recorded in central Ohio history; we pushed forward every day and every dollar was stretched for maximum impact! Our contractor and other companies donated materials, and dozens of makers from the Idea Foundry membership—including artists from the nearby 400 W. Rich arts facility—and community residents volunteered by painting more than 50,000-square-feet of walls!
On May 1st, the Idea Foundry moved into its new Franklinton home. This was no small undertaking given that they brought over 60,000 pounds of tools and materials. Again, some grant money for pizza and 50 dedicated and hardworking volunteers made the difference—that’s about a half ton moved per person!
The tool race with Mayor Michael B. Coleman; photo by Rob Turner[/caption]
Challenges
The complicated mixed-use nature of the Columbus Idea Foundry has made this project a challenge from the very beginning. Thankfully, it was a challenge met and achieved by our development team. In a facility where K-12 students may be learning principles of art and design, while fabricators may be welding and creative entrepreneurs may be performing 3D printing or software development, issues of safety, infrastructure, sound and dust mitigation, and much more had to be addressed. All of these issues were raised and addressed during the planning, but final in-the-field adjustments had to be made to accommodate some new and complicated tools, which the Columbus Idea Foundry purchased between the design phase and the construction phase. Fortunately our development team worked so aggressively on the budget that we had remaining contingency funds to address the last few change-orders necessary to bring the space up to 100% functionality!
Recent Wins
With the CIF still unpacking, their contribution on creative placemaking in Franklinton is already being felt. Since our announcement last year we’ve seen property values rise and entrepreneurial and educational partners come to the table. We’ve also learned that three new companies are planning to move to the immediate area: an art gallery, a new high-tech company that invented a hand-held 3D scanner, and a microbrewery!
Additionally, the American Planning Association awarded the City of Columbus with the 2014 National Planning Excellence Award for Innovation in Economic Planning and Development for the East Franklinton plan. This is the plan that FDA initiated to encourage young professionals, energetic businesses, and creatives to help spur innovation and revitalization, and of which the relocation of the Columbus Idea Foundry plays a large part. We’re proud to be part of such a nationally recognized program!
Insight/Provocation
Don’t be afraid to provide the media with catchy imagery and out-of-the-box events, as long as you can back it up with the gravitas of your mission.