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    New Office Building Proposed in Franklinton as Firm Branches Out

    TRIAD Architects has submitted plans to build a new two-story office building in Franklinton. If the plans are approved, the 24-year-old firm hopes to transfer its operations into the building, targeting the summer of 2022 for a move-in date.

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    The East Franklinton Review Board got a first look at the proposal last month – voting to approve the use and a parking variance – but will get a chance to weigh in on the final design of the building at a future meeting.

    The project comes at a time of growth and transition for TRIAD. The company sees a need for more office space in its future, and is also looking to expand and better-integrate the design, real estate development and construction elements of its operations.

    Todd Moroz was recently brought on as a Managing Director, in part to help facilitate that transition. As the former COO for Kaufman Development, and with a background that includes stints at Abercrombie and Fitch and American Eagle, Moroz said that he is eager to apply what he has learned about operations, marketing and organizational development in a new context.

    Moroz also sees an opportunity for TRIAD to build on the expertise it has developed in renovating mid-size historic buildings – the type of buildings that currently sit empty or underutilized in the center of so many Ohio towns and cities.

    “I see us as a turnkey solution for adaptive-reuse for historic building owners across Central Ohio,” he said. “As one group, we can provide all three phases of services as necessary – as architects we can come in and do some planning, a feasibility study, programming; as developers, we can assist them through processes,” such as approvals, applying for historic tax credits, and getting financing. “And then, we can also offer construction management services.”

    “The financial model can be intimidating…I love the idea of making real estate development a bit more accessible for more people,” Moroz said. “Right now it’s a very exclusive market, and also very competitive.”

    A pair of current projects demonstrate the advantages of the approach, he added. In Delaware, work is underway on the renovation of a three-story building at 17 N. Sandusky St, right in the heart of the city’s historic downtown. Another project, in Dayton, involves converting the historic Reed-Steffan Building into a mixed-use destination featuring entertainment and office uses.

    TRIAD Partner Brent Foley pointed to the renovation of the Yankee Trader buildings on High Street as another good example. The three historic High Street buildings across from the convention center were converted into apartments, office space and retail.

    Foley actually sees the new office building in Franklinton as a similar kind of a project; one where the company took its time to find the right fit for a small lot at 491 W. Town St. that they had acquired about six years ago.

    “We have a lot of history in Franklinton,” he said, citing work on the Jubilee Market, Roosevelt Coffeehouse and the Columbus Idea Foundry. “Each neighborhood has a unique community – the King Lincoln District has a different set of assets and challenges than Westerville, obviously – but we can apply that same methodology to any neighborhood.”

    A rendering showing the redevelopment of the Reed-Steffan Building in Dayton.
    This building at 17 N. Sandusky St. in Delaware is being renovated. Photo courtesy of TRIAD.
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    Brent Warren
    Brent Warrenhttps://columbusunderground.com/author/brent-warren
    Brent Warren is a staff reporter for Columbus Underground covering urban development, transportation, city planning, neighborhoods, and other related topics. He grew up in Grandview Heights, lives in the University District and studied City and Regional Planning at OSU.
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