Thinking big: Mall project chance to ‘enrich community health, wellness’

On a June day in the mid-1960s, J. Irwin Miller spoke of his dream for Columbus to become the “best community of its size in the country.” However, this well-known and utilized quote from the visionary founder of not only our county’s largest employer, but a global Fortune 200 company, is just one piece of his broader vision and foresight.

“No such community can be built without citizens determined to make their community best; without city government that works boldly – ahead of its problems, and not always struggling to catch up – and without money sufficient to get the job done,” Miller said.

Columbus is proud to live up to Mr. Miller’s reflection, which remains especially relevant today as the City of Columbus and Columbus Regional Health partner to usher in a new phase of community development with the official purchase of the FairOaks Mall. The city is the majority partner, with 75 percent of the property’s $5,450,000 appraised value. Columbus Regional Health is providing just over $1.3 million, 25 percent of the appraised value. The Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County generously provided $450,000, the difference between the selling price and appraised value.

Much work and consideration led to this announcement; however, we realize that the excitement and planning has just begun. With this project, the partners involved hope to elevate health, wellness and recreational programming in our community, as well as economic development within the region.

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Over the last several years, city staff and the Columbus Park Board have worked to identify ways to address the administrative and programmatic needs and goals of the Parks and Recreation Department. In fact, the 2017 State of the City address was at Donner Center, in order to highlight those facility needs and focus on how we could enhance indoor and year-round recreation and sports programming in the community.

With the help of many city residents, much of 2017 was spent updating the Columbus Parks Master Plan, which highlighted how important the parks system is to the greater Columbus community. One of the top requests was for a multi-use community space that provides for recreational, wellness and meeting space needs.

The opportunity to transform the mall site to fulfill identified needs and create a community destination was one city officials could not pass up. For Columbus Regional Health, this partnership and project signifies an opportunity to think big and broad about how the health system can further fulfill its mission of positively enriching community health and wellness. The area’s proximity to the health systems largest campus is ideal. This project is a sound investment in this city and its residents and visitors alike.

The city and Columbus Regional established the Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation or FOCDC — composed of representatives from the city, Columbus Regional Health, the Parks and Recreation Department and appointed community members — to oversee master site planning and stewardship of current mall operations. For parks, city and health system officials, this is about more than a facility to address needs. It’s about connecting programming and services to enrich lives and open opportunities. This is broader than just athletics or health care. This is about people and community.

We are thrilled at the outpouring of support for this project; however, we also understand concerns and are committed to openness, transparency and collaboration. The mall will continue to operate through 2019 and operations will be handled by a retail industry firm. The FOCDC will begin soliciting requests for proposals for master site-planning firms. The firm selected will organize and execute community and stakeholder input, identify operational considerations and form visioning plans. Columbus Regional Health will coordinate growth opportunities with service needs and expansions for patients to identify what best fits with plans for the project.

Of course, all parks programming is supported by public funds; however, the purchase of this property was made without a tax increase. The non-profit status of FOCDC will allow the entity to execute private fundraising efforts and pursue grants. The development of this property will boost the viability of the land and many associated properties in central Columbus. The FOCDC will communicate funding details as they are solidified. Public engagement sessions will help identify development and programming opportunities. Collaboration will remain at the helm of this project as it evolves.

This collaboration serves as another example of how organizations and residents come together with the united goal of bettering our community for today and the future.

Jim Lienhoop is the mayor of Columbus. Jim Bickel is the president and chief executive officer of Columbus Regional Health.