Since 1971 the University District Organization has been a community- based "organization of organizations". Board membership is open to any organization, which represents or employs 75 or more people and is located within the boundaries of the University District. The Board employs part-time staff and maintains an active office and program space. Operating funds come from public and private contributions, grants, as well as service contracts.

Ongoing services to the community:

• Provide a meeting place for public programs and forums
• Provide the use of office supplies and resources for area projects
• Maintain a database for use by area organizations
• Provide coordination of projects and research
• Provide information and referrals
• Fiscal agent for the following groups
  • Golden Paintbrush Awards
  • ARTSpace
  • Jan Looman Memorial Fund

Halftime Interview
November 11, 2006
Dr. Karen Holbrook
Taped Interview with Skip Mosic
Ohio State - Northwestern game

Skip Mosic: Hello, Dr. Holbrook...it's good to see you again. I understand the neighborhood just off campus is beginning a process of preserving its rich history. What can you tell me about it?

Dr. Holbrook: Hello, Skip....great to be with you. Yes, it's really interesting. The University District Organization and the Ohio Historical Society just announced a partnership to gather, preserve and share the history of the neighborhoods around our Columbus campus. As part of the project, the groups will collaborate on a "University District Archive" that will preserve photographs, maps, plans, documents and other memorabilia from the neighborhoods in the University District.

Given its proximity to the university, we think it's possible that more Ohioans likely have lived in the University District, at least for a few years while they were in college, than any other neighborhood in the state. So we see this archive as being able to contain a record of the vibrant student life in the neighborhood, as well as the arrival of farmers and traders in the late 18th century, the northward growth of Columbus in the 19th century, the significant changes to the university district after World War II and the efforts at urban revitalization in the late 20th century.

Skip Mosic: That does sound interesting, because there's quite a bit of history to preserve.

Dr. Holbrook: That's true. And it's quite fitting that the University District organization, of which we have been a part since its inception, celebrating 35 years of serving the interests of major civic croups and the university, promoting cooperation among University District stakeholders and providing a variety of services to neighborhood organizations.

Skip Mosic: In addition to preserving history, there's still quite a thriving present in the neighborhood, isn't there?

Dr. Holbrook: There is, Skip, and the university, through Campus Partners and the University District Organization, is very heavily involved trying to make it better, particularly the area known as the Weinland Park neighborhood that encompasses the southeast portion of the University District. Of course, the most visible of these efforts is the South Campus Gateway project, which is a largest mixed-use urban redevelopment project in central Ohio. Gateway is a thriving part of Columbus, and already has ad a significant impact on reducing the vacancy rates in rental using in the blocks around the development. With support from the university, Campus Partners also has assembled some residential properties adjacent to Gateway that eventually could be redeveloped to promote more home ownership in the area.

A few other redevelopment projects are under way which should remove major impediments to public safety, improve the appearance of the neighborhood, enhance educational opportunities and encourage greater private investment in the neighborhood.

Skip Mosic: What are they?

Dr. Holbrook: One is the establishment of a group called Community Properties of Ohio, a non-profit ownership entity created to acquire and renovate a distressed portfolio of about 1,300 units of Section 8 housing, including about 550 units in Weinland Park. This represents an investment of more than $25 million dollars in Weinland Park housing stock. Property management and maintenance have been improved quite a bit, stabilizing the neighborhood.

Another is the Neighborhood Policing Center, which we are working with the City of Columbus to establish on East 11th Avenue. Construction should begin in early 2007 with completion in early 2008.

We're also involved in creating the new Early Childhood Development Center in the Weinland Park area, which will be the nation's first university-based early childhood laboratory in a neighborhood setting. The Center will be co-located with the new Weinland Park elementary School, which will open in January 2007.

And it was also just announced that Campus Partners and the city will work together to deal with the dilapidated Columbus Coated Fabrics site, also in the Weinland Park area. The property will be demolished and the land remediated, with development involving potentially replacing the facility with market-rate housing and green space.

All in all, the university district is thriving, and Ohio State is playing a big role in its renaissance.

Skip Mosic: Thanks so much for stopping by, Dr. Holbrook.