Article Originally Appeared in Columbus Business First – By Bonnie Meibers
Goodwill Columbus no longer plans to redevelop its Edgehill Road campus, but will instead sell the building.
The nonprofit said rising construction costs are responsible for its decision. It had planned to build a new headquarters and retail store at the property in Columbus’ Fifth by Northwest neighborhood. Columbus-based construction company Elford Inc. had been selected to lead the project.
Since the redevelopment was announced at the beginning of 2021, the cost to build a new building has doubled, according to the release.
“In good conscience, we cannot justify spending this kind of money to build a new headquarters,” Goodwill CEO Ryan Burgess said in the release. “This new direction provides us an opportunity to invest in our current infrastructure, technology, and people. Ultimately, it will help us achieve our strategic goal of equipping 100,000 people with the tools to advance economic mobility through the power of work by 2030.”
Goodwill has started a search for its next headquarters location.
“Our developers, Elford, have been wonderful partners throughout this process. We know the corner of Fifth and Edgehill will have an exciting future ahead,” Burgess said in the release.
For now, Goodwill will continue to focus on workforce development, job training, digital skills, job placement and career services it currently provides.
In addition to the Edgehill sale, Goodwill is currently renovating space at its Brice Road location to serve as a new workforce center for job training in conjunction with Columbus State, building out its Town and Country retail store to house its Art Studio and Gallery that serves individuals with disabilities, and expanding its retail footprint.
Goodwill’s Edgehill headquarters is a 135,000-square-foot building surrounded by a large parking lot. Most of the three-story building was constructed in 1945 with an addition in 1977. It’s the focal point for the organization’s local workforce of more than 1,000 and the site of many of its major adult day care, employment and job training services, among other things.