Reeb Avenue Center Groundbreaking, Columbus Castings Expansion Signify Rebirth of Southern Gateway
For Immediate Release
September 3, 2014
For More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Dan Williamson,
Mayor’s office, 645-5300
Governor Joins Mayor, City Council, South Side Champions and Community to Break Ground on Former Elementary School
Mayor Michael B. Coleman was joined by Gov. John R. Kasich, Columbus City Council, South Side Champions and the Southern Gateway community to break ground on the new Reeb Avenue Center. The historic Reeb Avenue Elementary School, 280 E. Reeb Ave., will be preserved and transformed with approximately 18,000 additional square feet to serve as a sustainable multipurpose community center for the Southern Gateway neighborhood. When it opens next summer, the Reeb Avenue Center will provide childcare, educational services, supportive services for families, job training and workforce development. Joining today’s announcement were representatives from nearby Columbus Castings, which announced an expansion that will double its workforce from 550 to 1,100 employees.
“The Southern Gateway is coming back,” Mayor Coleman said. “The Reeb Avenue Center represents what can happen when a community comes together with a purpose. This outstanding investment by Columbus Castings reflects the newfound confidence generated by this neighborhood.”
“The mayor's vision for reviving the south side is inspiring and driving some big changes, and I’m glad that Ohio can be a partner in making so many great things begin to happen, not only with Reeb School but with Columbus Castings as well,” Gov. Kasich said. “The revival of Columbus Castings is a huge success story. JobsOhio is a strong partner with the company and we look forward to the lasting change they’ll help bring to the city and the state overall."
The Reeb Avenue Center, estimated at about $13 million, is funded by a significant public-private partnership, including the City of Columbus ($6.7 million), the State of Ohio ($2 million), Donatos Pizza and the Grote family ($1.5 million), the Crane Group and the Crane family ($1 million), Donald W. Kelley & Associates and the Kelley family ($500,000), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Kids Come First Coalition ($500,000), Grange Insurance ($50,000), Baumann Plumbing ($5,000) and others. Thomas & Marker is the general contractor for the project.
“The investments from the public and private sectors in the Southern Gateway Initiative strategically position the community for continued economic growth,” said City Council President Andrew J. Ginther. “Today’s announcement will generate new opportunities for local residents and businesses and contribute to the continuing revitalization of this great neighborhood.”
“Reeb Avenue Center will nurture young children through the exceptional care of the South Side Learning & Development Center, and older children will be guided through the work of the Boys & Girls Club,” Donatos founder Jim Grote said. “Our family is grateful for the public-private partnership—Republicans and Democrats coming together—to make the project a reality. The broad support from government, businesses, and families is impressive and should make the community proud.”
Among the tenants expected to operate at the Reeb Avenue Center are
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus
• City of Columbus South Side Neighborhood Pride Center
• Community Development for All People
• Connect Ohio
• COWIC/Ohio Means Jobs-Columbus-Franklin County
• Godman Guild
• Lutheran Social Services
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• St. Stephen’s Community House
• South Side Learning & Development Center
“This center is the crown jewel of the ongoing renaissance unfolding on the South Side of Columbus,” said John Edgar, executive director of Community Development for All People. “Special thanks go to the various South Side Champions who stepped up and are giving forward to revitalize the community that nurtured them. As all of the programs and services at the Reeb Avenue Center work together collaboratively, we will create seamless pathways from poverty to prosperity.”
“The South Side of Columbus has historically represented how communities can blend residential, private business, industrial and social service activity successfully,” said Donna Bates of the Reeb Hosack Civic Association. “It is exciting the Reeb Avenue Center will be the epicenter of a continuing revitalization of a community offering not only resources and training, but hope for a better future.”
The City of Columbus and JobsOhio worked with Columbus Castings to secure the expansion. To meet its demand for 550 new workers, Columbus Castings will partner hire and train new workers, with a focus on its surrounding neighborhood. The company will also be the first major corporate partner of the Reeb Center’s COWIC/Ohio Means Jobs training center, which will include workforce training programs for neighborhood residents. Once known as Buckeye Steel, Columbus Castings is committed to hiring traditionally hard-to-place individuals, including those moving up and off of public assistance.
“This is an amazing moment,” Columbus Castings Chairman Joseph Haviv said. “It’s what Yogi Berra called déjà vu all over again. Buckeye Steel got started in 1902 on the South Side and today Columbus Castings renews its commitment for another 112 years to this wonderful community.”
“Community residents have been working very hard and collaboratively over the last two years to involve all residents in moving the South Side toward revitalization,” said Judy Czarnecki, lead consultant for Southern Gateway. “The Columbus Castings expansion along with the Reeb Center opening will provide much-needed resources to help the South Side achieve its vision of being a community that helps residents and businesses achieve success.”
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