Frey
The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp. are inching closer to finding a new headquarters after their previous offices sustained major fire and flood damage about a year ago.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday approved a $400,000 grant to help the two organizations turn a building on the southwest corner of Third and Franklin streets into their new headquarters.
The Chamber and EDC have been renting office space from Cummins Inc. on Washington Street since their previous offices at 440 Fifth St. sustained major damage after a fire destroyed the Irwin Block Building and damaged nearby offices about a year ago.
The two organizations plan to invest about $1.4 million into the 4,682-square-foot building, including the cost of purchasing the property and renovations. Partners on the project include local contractor Dunlap and Company and local design firm Landscape, Art and Architecture Office.
“This investment from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission … will help us bridge our financing gap and it will allow us to set aside some of our cash reserves to pay for things like a maintenance reserve and furnishings, because we lost 95% of all of our furnishings and files in the fire and the flood that followed,” said Chamber President Cindy Frey.
Frey said the two organizations hope to close on the real estate transaction by mid-January and begin renovations as soon as possible thereafter.
The planned renovations include changes to accommodate staff offices, community meeting rooms and a shared office for small business development partners. There will also be other improvements such as roof and HVAC replacements and “essential exterior upgrades.”
The two organizations have created a new nonprofit known as Bartholomew Economic Growth LLC to serve as owner of the property, with individuals from both the chamber and EDC boards of directors serving as officers. Ownership of the building will be split 60-40 based on square footage, with the breakdown being 60% for the Chamber and 40% for the EDC.
The two organizations have also secured the services of LAA Office to create a “dynamic design” for the building’s exterior, officials said in a letter to the redevelopment commission. However, these additional exterior upgrades are not included in the current budget, and they are seeking additional, separate funding for the work.
