Individuals hoping for a new makerspace on Columbus’s airpark campus will have to wait a little longer to see if that proposal becomes a reality.
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Frey and Bryan Rushton, the leader of the makerspace project’s guiding team, discussed their project proposal Tuesday with the Columbus Aviation Board. The team is eyeing two buildings at Columbus Municipal Airport as a potential makerspace location once Cummins Inc.’s lease for the properties ends in June.
After some discussion, the board decided to table the topic for the time being, as they needed to get more information, discuss the matter further and consider other options.
One item of note was Frey and Rushton’s request that the airport help "upfit" the facility and contribute to capital improvement costs. Airport director Brian Payne said this would involve using funds from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to help invest in the buildings.
The makerspace presentation mentioned the need for the facility improvements, which could potentially include a properly sized HVAC system, a keyless access system, fresh paint, enhanced lighting, "a kitchen/staging area for events" and concrete work in the courtyard.
Payne said TIF dollars would likely go toward general improvements such as the HVAC system, not necessarily anything specific to the makerspace. This would then improve and prepare the facility for the possibility of future tenants with different needs.
“Anything we can do to help make the project viable," he said. "And if the project’s not viable, then these assets would go to future availability of the building.”
He said that in touching base with the city’s redevelopment department, he got a favorable response indicating that this would be a good use of TIF funds.
Rushton said that the cost of all capital improvements would likely be "well under $100,000."
“We’re very flexible on when those could be done," he said. "So they’re just kind of minor, continuing improvements that not only would help the makerspace or that enterprise specifically but would also just help the long-term marketability and use of that facility as a whole.”
He said that while he doesn’t have "detailed numbers" on some of the improvements, this wouldn’t keep them from being able to get started.
Frey said that they’ll need to work on getting actual figures and see if the airport should pay for some pieces while the makerspace group covers others.
The makerspace presentation also included a request for a "three-year lease with phased-in payments, beginning with a six month abatement." The proposal also states that an option for two one-year extensions to this lease would be "ideal."
Rushton said that, in the long-term, they hope that the makerspace will become a "self-sustaining entity" that can pay market rates and doesn’t require special consideration or outside support.
The makerspace proposal specifically requests that the board consider "forgoing lease payments for the first 6 months of operation (end of 2021), a reduced rate of $1,500 per month (50% reduction) for Jan-Dec of 2022, and then full rates of $3,000 per month beginning in January of 2023." It also states that the guiding team would appreciate any abatement that the board would find "agreeable."
Depending on the level of consideration given by the board and community fundraising efforts, the proposal estimates that self-sufficiency could be achieved six months to two years after opening.
The proposal includes two pro forma operating budgets — one with the abatement phases and one without.
With the abatements, it’s estimated that income could begin to exceed expenses as early as December of 2021, and the operating running balance could turn positive by September of 2022. By July of 2023, that balance could reach a little over $17,000.
Without the abatement, it’s estimated that income might not begin to exceed expenses until July of 2022. Even then, the operating running balance could still be at in the red (by almost $19,000) in July of 2023.
Commissioner Brad Davis said that while he likes the makerspace concept and understands the value of such a space, he has to consider what it would mean for the airport to provide reduced rent for a period with "a lot of unknowns."
He said the airport should consider whether they can lease the space to a different tenant who can provide full rent and wouldn’t need the airport to spend money on improvements.
Davis also said that he would like more of an estimate on the capital improvement costs and information on if there could be an "alternative funding source" besides TIF dollars.
Commissioner Doug Van Klompenburg said that he doesn’t want to spend airport funds on the improvements. He believes the makerspace wouldn’t be the best use of the facility, which he called "the most prime real estate at the airport" due to its proximity to the flight line and terminal.
Klompenburg has spoken to some local aviators about the subject, and they’re in agreement that the makerspace is a good idea but the location is "absolutely wrong."
When asked why the group is looking mainly at the airport and not other locations in the community, Frey said that the main factor was its proximity to "our future workforce."
Rushton added that the facility is "broken up" in a way that would aid the makerspace idea and is "designed somewhat to our use."
Frey encouraged the board to tour the facility.
“It’s a very interesting space, and it might help you in your discussion," she said.
Board president Mark Pillar said he agreed with the idea. Board attorney Mary Stroh said that as the board moves forward, their conversations on this matter may need to be held in a public meeting or an executive session, depending on what is being discussed.
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A group of stakeholders, including makers and representatives from colleges on Columbus’s airpark campus, are looking to form a new makerspace in Columbus.
A “makerspace” is defined as a place where people can come together to create or invent things, either using traditional crafts or technology.
The group is eyeing two buildings at Columbus Municipal Airport as a potential makerspace location once Cummins Inc.’s lease for these properties ends in June.
Other individuals and entities, including the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, have also been involved in preliminary makerspace discussions, with some having representatives to the guiding team. The proposal states that the makerspace would initially "function as a pilot project under the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce’s 501(c)(6) designation."
However, the proposal also states that the Chamber is not intended to act as the head of the project but rather support it as a "community effort." Once the makerspace is financially viable and "sufficient community interest, action and participation has been achieved", the makerspace would seek designation as an independent 501(c)(3).
In the presentation to the aviation board, a fast-moving timeline was proposed, with workshops in this spring, pilot programs starting in August and a public launch in October with a full schedule of program offerings. Summer camps and programs would begin in June of 2022.
More information about the makerspace, including the full proposal and presentation, is available at columbusareachamber.com/fostering-innovation/.
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