Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center.
The original Port Columbus terminal and control tower opened in 1929. The art-deco-style terminal was home to the first scheduled coast-to-coast airline passenger service, Transcontinental Air Transport’s (TAT) Lindbergh Line, according to Robert F. Kirk, author of “Flying the Lindbergh Line and The Building of an Airport: Port Columbus.” The airline flew passengers from New York to Glendale, California, using Ford Tri-motors and a unique rail-to-air-to-rail-to-air route.
The terminal was closed in 1958 with the opening of the new Columbus International Airport, since renamed John Glenn International, and following that the terminal and tower was used as office space. Over decades, the building has fallen into disrepair and was listed as “endangered” by Columbus Landmarks in 2015, but a subsequent fundraising effort helped to stabilize the building.
This funding will be used to redevelop the facility as The Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center (OAS). The OAS will serve as a clearinghouse for Ohio youth education and collegiate aviation programs, providing a direct connection to aerospace and technology industry partners that are committed to developing a future aviation workforce. OAS does have a current agreement with the Ohio State University College of Engineering. Additionally, OAS will be entering a joint MOU with Buckeye Tigers, Ohio Tuskegee Airmen, Youth Aviation Adventure, and Women in Aviation International. These partners recognize the need to recruit and train diverse talent.
Emergency action is requested in order to help OAS achieve success on its capital campaign for the more rapid redevelopment of the terminal and control tower.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance number is 042690 and expires on 8/9/24.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Dev...
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