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This very interesting idea/concept one-pager was passed along to me via email:
The Schottenstein Integrated Food and Energy Research Park – An Alternative Plan to Redevelop Cooper Stadium and Franklinton
The Schottenstein Integrated Food and Alternative Energy Research Park would be an innovative public-private partnership, profitably producing horticultural and marine crops for local and regional markets while simultaneously researching intensive small scale farming systems and energy production. Park activities would promote new forms of economic development and job creation, catalyzing a new economy centered on alternative energy and food production. The Park would serve as a showcase research site highly visible to state and city governments. This site would be the first of its kind in the country.
Potential Partners:
• The Ohio Department of Agriculture –with connections throughout state government, ODA has considerable interest in aquaculture and there have been discussions around redeveloping empty car dealerships into productive aquaculture systems
• The Ohio State University – a premier research institution is an ideal collaborator able to bring research professionals and graduate students to examine new energy and food production systems. Additionally, the Park could partner with the OARDC – Ohio Aquaculture Development Center and the OSU Hydroponic Crop Program to design profitable production systems and also identify new urban research opportunities.
• City of Columbus – Mayor Coleman has directed resources to redevelop Franklinton including investment in a Flood Wall and residential redevelopment. An emerging urban arts district compliments revitalization activities led by the Franklin Development Association (FDA).
Small Farm and Urban Farming Systems
Capitalizing on the interest of fresh, local and healthy foods the Park can simultaneously produce and research new forms of intensive farming systems
• Vegetable and Fruit Production via vertical hydroponics and hoop houses production.
• Urban Aquaculture Production – urban aquaponic systems can produce: fish for consumption, ornamental marine organisms for aquariums, and research marine organisms, in addition to treating waste water and creating energy through attached biomass digesters. Employment creation estimates suggests 15 jobs for every 453 t of production. For more information see Urban Aquaculture. 2005. Editors: B. Costa-Pierce, A. Desbonnet, P. Edwards and D. Baker. CABI Publishing.
Alternative Energy
• Algae/biofuels, Biogas, Solar, and Wind energy
• Methods for integrating multiple energy sources
• Space for business incubators for alternative energy startups and education facilities.
• Ideally located at the intersection of three major highways: Hwy 71, Hwy 70 and St Rt. 315
• Located just minutes away from downtown Columbus, State government agencies, and Ohio State University
• Graham Auto Ford site potential showcase for dealership retrofitting and redevelopment
• Mixed use zoning – Commercial and residential; Tax benefits available for redevelopment
For More Information Contact: Shoshanah Inwood, e-mail: sminwood@gmail.com
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