Alena McCarron, left, sits in on an interview with Olesya Whitfield, owner of Olesya’s Kitchen in Columbus. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Whitfield move her restaurant from its current location after the land where the business is located was purchased.
The Republic file photo
A city’s vision for a transformational project often doesn’t come into clear focus until an architectural drawing provides a picture that’s worth a thousand words.
We got something like that this week. New renderings like the one here showing a fieldhouse design illustrate what the city can expect. The Columbus City Council voted 6-1 to approve a lease that will finance construction of NexusPark, an athletics- and medical-oriented redevelopment of the former FairOaks Mall.
We’ll leave it to others more qualified to critique the architectural suitableness of the design, which must be a top consideration for any large-scale development undertaken in, and particularly by, the city of Columbus. But we are confident that the vision — a massive joint investment involving the city and Columbus Regional Health — will result in a new and vibrant landmark and drawing card. Crucially, this is a public project for the community’s use and benefit.
Doing nothing was not an option after FairOaks Mall died. Local leaders realized that. The community rallied with a redevelopment plan that boldly envisions the future with grand designs. We’re excited about the possibilities.
Building support for Olesya’s Kitchen
For a city its size, Columbus is blessed with a generous helping of international dining options, including the rare boast of a Ukrainian restaurant.
Olesya’s Kitchen, founded by Columbus resident and Ukraine native Olesya Whitfield, sprang from her lifelong passion for cooking. From humble roots selling unique fare at the farmers market, her startup blossomed into a restaurant at McKinley Avenue and State Street. Olesya’s weathered the pandemic, but now faces a new challenge — it must relocate after Cummins purchased the building where the restaurant is situated.
Fortunately, Olesya’s regulars are rallying, trying to turn a potential hardship into an opportunity. They started an online fundraiser to help relocate the only place in Columbus where you can score some savory chicken stroganoff and cabbage salad, among many other delicacies.
So far, so good. The effort has raised more than one-third of its $15,000 goal. You can help support a truly unique, homegrown establishment by donating at gofundme.com/f/help-relocate-olesyas-kitchen, or by stopping in for some home cooking and international cuisine.
Columbus native Rumsey climbs high at Cummins
Appointment to the board of directors at Cummins Inc. is yet another milestone for Jennifer Rumsey, who only a year ago became the first woman in company history to be named president and chief operating officer.
Rumsey — Columbus East Class of 1992 — has devoted her engineering and executive career to the company where her father also worked. She continues to make her mark advocating for women in leadership and STEM careers, and for inclusion and equity. She continues to be a transformational leader during a transformational period for the region’s largest employer.
Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger said he believes Rumsey will help the company “evolve our technologies and our business” away from fossil fuels. She, too, feels that charge.
“There’s a lot of work to be done across our business on this decarbonization journey, and Columbus will certainly play an important role in that, and certainly as we continue to position the company for the future, we’ll think about how our workforce and our facilities and our communities evolve,” Rumsey said. “But there’s still a lot to be done right now in the products that we’re making right here in southern Indiana.”
Congratulations are in order for Rumsey. Her good news is positive for Cummins and for Columbus.
