Columbus Redevelopment Commission members are deliberating how the city will support renovation of the former Republic building in downtown Columbus as the new home of Indiana University’s master of architecture program.
In a discussion meeting Tuesday, redevelopment commission members learned the building will need extensive upgrades before the architecture program can occupy the building beginning Aug. 10.
The city is being asked to contribute $1 million to the renovation project, half of the $2 million expected to be needed for the upgrades.
Among the needed renovations are restoring the building’s concrete floor, carpentry and metal structure framing, along with upgrades for furniture, equipment, telecommunications, technology and professional service fees, city officials said. Bids for contracts to perform the renovation work will be needed, city officials said.
Indiana University officials on April 30 announced the plan for the new master’s in architecture program to move into the Republic building.
As a National Historic Landmark, the building is both architecturally significant and located near many other notable architectural sites in downtown Columbus. These attributes made it a natural fit for IU’s Master of Architecture program, and the university purchased the building from Southeastern Indiana Medical Holdings, a subsidiary of Columbus Regional Health.
The proposal was part of a presentation at City Hall by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop; Tom Morris, vice president of facilities and capital for Indiana University; and John Burnett, Community Education Collation president.
After a brief explanation of the project by Burnett, Morris explained the purposes behind the renovations to the building. So far, all anticipated developments to the building are internal and will not alter the external appearance of the building, Morris said.
Leinhoop said the partnership between the city and the university will address three issues:
Reinvigorating the architectural legacy of Columbus.
Addressing the future of the former Republic building,333 Second St.
Diversifying the Columbus economy.
The commission is scheduled to consider the request for the monetary contribution to the project at a 4 p.m. May 21 meeting at Columbus City Hall.
Because city ordinance requires that any redevelopment expenditures more than $500,000 be approved by the Columbus City Council, the request — if approved — would then go before the council in June, the mayor’s office said.
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Before it can be occupied by the Indiana University architecture program, the former Republic newspaper building at 333 Second St. will need:
- Concrete floor restoration
- Metal structure framing
- Finish carpentry
- Doors and windows
- Interior finishes
- Interior specialties (fire protection, interior signage)
- Projection screens and window treatments
- Mechanical system upgrades
- Electrical and telecommunications
- Parking lot upgrades
Source: Indiana University
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