Heritage Fund : The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

A GREAT COLLABORATION! A $3 MILLION COMMUNITY CHALLENGE!

A Cause In Common

The original Commons was a gift to this community over 35 years ago, and it clearly was a great one. The community has used The Commons publicly and privately for every type of event imaginable. Nearly 70,000 people have visited The Commons each year for everything from shows to events to meetings to celebrations to lunch to playground time to people watching. That means virtually the entire population of Bartholomew County visits The Commons annually!

The boards of Heritage Fund, The Cummins Foundation and Irwin-Sweeney-Miller Foundation each have awarded $3 million grants to support construction of the new Commons – the public space within the “Commons block.” These grants, along with a $6 million commitment from the City of Columbus, leave a challenge to the community to raise the remaining $3 million needed to reach $18 million. Each of us is invited to join in this once-in-a–lifetime opportunity to be part of this collaborative effort to provide a public gathering place for all to use and enjoy.

Building Together Piece by Piece!

In recent years the building had become inadequate for the growing needs of our community and required structural reconfiguration. While preserving some of architect Cesar Pelli’s original steel structure, the cost-effective decision was made to rebuild the space.

• Project cost - $18 million
• Funds already committed -$15 million 
• Community challenge - $3 million
• Public input - over 5,000 people shared their ideas for the new Commons. 
• Features - Chaos, an expanded playground, improved performance and gathering spaces, additional retail, food court and roof top garden.
• Construction begins - Fall 2008
• Construction completed - scheduled for Spring 2010

We hope that each “piece” of our community will join in this fund-raising campaign. Every one of every age and interest, as well as every club, society, business and organization is encouraged to join in this effort. Through the foundation grants, every dollar given will be worth four dollars – a three-for-one match! You are welcome to give your “piece” as a one time gift or a pledge over three years.

EVERY PIECE COUNTS!!!

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