Tool Library Proposal

South Linden Neighborhood Tool Loan Library Proposal

Michael Liggett CRPlan 6930 Autumn 2017

Table of Contents Background…………………………………………………….page 1 Proposal Aims………………………………………………….page 1 Proposal Goal……………………………………………..………...page 2 Location…………………………………………………...page 2 Funding…………………………………………………...page 2 Asset Protection………………………………………….page 3 Membership………………………………………………page 3 Administration & Operation……………………………..page 5 Partners…………………………………………………...page 5 Concluding Remarks…………………………………….page 6

Neighborhood Background: The South Linden Neighborhood of Columbus has experienced decades of trauma and discrimination. From red-lining, to under investment in infrastructure, to predatory lending, this neighborhood has experienced generational trauma which runs deep within its fabric. All this has culminated in disturbing numbers, like one of the highest infant mortality rates in Central Ohio (25.7%), some of the highest murder and crimes rates in the City of Columbus, and rampant property vacancy.

Proposal Aims: There are no easy answers to remediating the issues that face this neighborhood and its residents. It will take a myriad of actions and coordination. One means of helping to improve the neighborhood and help its residents is the creation of a Tool Loan Library.

Why a Tool Loan Library? For low-to-moderate income homeowners, it is often financially out of reach to afford to buy and/or rent the tools necessary to make repairs/upkeep their properties. Due to this, Tool Loan Library’s have been popping up all over the country. They help empower homeowners, regardless of income, to upkeep and/or improve their properties.

For South Linden, a neighborhood based Tool Loan Library will help residents to take charge in upkeeping their homes and surrounding. A Tool Loan Library will help South Linden Residents to safely remain in their homes as well as help to beautify the community.

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Proposal: Goal: 1) To create a vibrant, affordable and diverse Tool Loan Library in the South Linden Neighborhood that empowers residents and homeowners to upkeep, improve and beautify their neighborhood.

2) To empower South Linden residents to invest in their neighborhood 3) move from renter to homeowner by providing a cost-effective option to maintain their property.

4) To enable senior South Linden homeowners to safely remain in their homes.

Location: To ensure maximum accessibility, the Library should be located as centrally as possible in the South Linden Neighborhood. Preferably, a low to no-cost space would be preferable (such as storage in a local house of worship or even St. Stephen's Community House).

Location centrally in the South Linden neighborhood will be a critical component to achieving the desired goals of the Library. As mentioned in the background section, South Linden is a long disadvantaged and underinvested neighborhood. Mobility is a major issue for the residents with many relying on public transportation. By being located centrally, this will empower equitable access to the Library.

Funding: There are a myriad of options in which funding can be sourced to effectively manage and run the Library. Once through its first few years of operation, it is hoped that memberships will supply the bulk of funds needed to adequately operate the Library.

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Prior to this, bulk funds will need to be sourced for “start-up” costs of the operation. Founders of the Library should pursue any number of the following resources for funds to assist in start-up of the library: 1. City of Columbus -general appropriation funds -Community Development Block Grant Funds* 2. Columbus Foundation 3. The Ohio State University 4. Columbus Partnership 5. United Way of Central Ohio 6. Big-Box Stores (i.e. Home Depot, Lowes) *attainment of Community Development Block Grant funds may prove to be difficult given the financial history of the program and the current political climate. Franklin County alone has seen an 40+ percent decrease in its CDBG funds over the past 7 years and will see a 15% cut in 2018 from 2017. Given the ever slimmer allocation of these funds, it may prove folly to receive funding over already existing programming.

Asset Protection: Given that over time the Library will consist of several thousands of dollars worth of equipment, it is paramount that these assets be insured. While theft is a realistic possibility, the largest threat to the library will be tool breakage/replacement.

Membership: Geographic Area: To help ensure the success of the Library, it should be open to not only residents of South Linden, but residents of immediately surrounding neighborhoods. The use of zip codes would be an effective tool for this.

The following zip codes are recommended for access to membership with the South Linden Tool Loan Library: ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔

43219 (N. of I-670) 43211 43224 43201

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Membership Levels: For the levels of membership, it is recommended that the South Linden Tool Loan Library duplicate Rebuilding Together Central Ohio’s parameters which are as follows: Non-Profit: $0.00-$75,000 operating budget = free $75,001-$250,000 operating budget = $125/annually $250,001 & Over operating budget = $250/annually Individual: Student/Senior (60+) = $20/annually Short Term (30 days) = $15 Individual = $40/annually Pay What You Can = see Family (Household) Size chart below Family (Household) Size One

$24,850

Two

$28,400

Three

$31,950

Four

$35,500

Five

$38,350

Six

$41,200

Seven

$44,050

Eight

$46,900

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Administration & Operation: The Library will be administered by an all volunteer Board of Advisors made up of 4 South Linden homeowners as well as 1 homeowner from each of the surrounding zip codes which are eligible for membership (zip codes: 43211, 43224, 43201).

Hours of operation will need to be determined by the Board of Advisors, but based on research of existing Tool Library’s, proposed hours of operation could be as follows: Midweek (Tues/Wed): 5:30-7:30pm Saturday: 9am-2pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm Staffing: A number of volunteers would need to be sourced to operate the library during its open hours. These volunteer opportunities would fit well with seniors as well as students as a means to promote engagement within the community. For seniors it provides the opportunity to stay engaged in the neighborhood and keep active. For students it provides an opportunity to become better engaged in their neighborhood. Further, this volunteer opportunity not only allows Linden area students the opportunity of work experience, it also provides a potential pseudo-mentoring environment when paired with a senior volunteer.

Partners: The most direct partner/asset for the creation of the Library would be St. Stephen's Community House. Given their location in and existing programs targeted to the South Linden Community the resources - both knowledge and institutional - will bode well for ensuring the success of the Library.

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Further, building relationships with the various houses of worship in and around the South Linden community is also desirable for helping to build knowledge of, use of, and resources for the Library.

A final partner could be Rebuilding Together Central Ohio (RTCO). RTCO is an existing countywide (i.e. all of Franklin County) tool loan library located on the east side of Columbus just north of Bexley. With RTCO there are two potential scenarios of relationship: Scenario 1: RTCO becomes an active partner in the library, specifically helping with the upstart provision of tools. They also provide technical and clerical guidance in operation with the board of advisors to the South Linden Tool Library. From this, the South Linden Tool Library compensates a portion of revenue from memberships to RTCO. Scenario 2: RTCO declines partnership with the South Linden Tool Library and views it as a competitor/threat to their operation.

Concluding Remarks: There are no easy answers when it comes to remediating the issues faced by residents of the South Linden neighborhood. But the Tool Loan Library located centrally in the neighborhood will be a critical key to helping the residents of South Linden revitalize their community.

Through a well-built Tool Loan Library, residents will be empowered to take charge of and invest in their homes. It will help build equity for the residents and aid in helping aid in the progression from renter to owner.

Equitable revitalization means strengthening the fabric which exists and an accessible Tool Loan Library will go along to doing just that.

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