Eastland Community Building Through the Youth CoLab
2024 Program Serves as Opportunity to Engage
The Youth CoLab is an award winning six-week paid summer internship program of the NDC for local high school students interested in the field of design. Launched in 2023, participants are empowered to learn about career opportunities across a variety of professions, all while they develop their own design for a project they then work to implement. This year's program strived to continue with the momentum initiated through Eastland for Everyone, the current community planning efforts underway in the Eastland area. Youth residing in the neighborhood were sought out for the open internship positions through a partnership with Directions for Youth Families. This allowed for a project team made up of majority Eastland students, with most interns either enrolled at a school in the plan area or on the east side. Over the six-week duration of the program, participants experienced the entire life cycle of a built project, from start to finish. Hear from students directly on the results of this meaningful experience:
A Space for the Community, by the Community
Coined Eastland's Canvas, the Youth CoLab team successfully established the necessary infrastructure for an inviting "third place." More specifically, the design implemented by interns worked to address the following themes recorded during focus group exercises facilitated through the Eastland for Everyone planning efforts:
Make cleanliness and safety improvements a priority
Ensure public space is developed with families in mind
Provide community members with affordable activity spaces to enjoy
Foster social connections among all generations of community members
Create hubs to serve as gathering places for the community
While certainly intentional, the emphasis that was put on resident involvement throughout this year's Youth CoLab project has been key to its success. Community members of all ages and abilities contributed to the vision, which can now be celebrated as additional developments are made to the site in the coming years.
Moving Towards a More Prosperous Eastland
With Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) serving as the 2024 Youth CoLab project client, interns were given the opportunity to activate their vacant outdoor space at the former 67,000-square foot Kroger grocery. Purchased by the organization in 2023, MOFC has since shared plans to renovate the facility and transform the property into a hub for social services, now formally known as the Eastland Prosperity Center. Notably, Columbus city officials recently announced an investment of $4 million into the development - the largest single contribution made thus far. With over 100,000 residents expected to utilize the resources each year, the city has affirmed their commitment to fostering equity. Mayor Ginther shared, "The City of Columbus knows that an equitable city is built from safe, vibrant neighborhoods where every family has the ability to thrive. The Eastland Prosperity Center will help transform the area from a human services desert into a healthier community with opportunity for all."
The building is now undergoing renovations and is anticipated to open in early 2026. While the construction is taking place, MOFC and local community groups have begun hosting a pop-up market for fresh food, bringing support to those who need it. The completion of Eastland's Canvas on site has already allowed for a more welcoming and supportive environment as they receive this aid. Explore the project page to learn more about these community-driven improvements, and stop by to see the positive change in action!
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