Milo Arts - History
TECHNICAL NOTE: Newspaper articles are in PDF format, both as text-only and original scans. Scan files are much larger and may take a while to load. CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF VERSION (2.2 MB) Prehistory The citizens of Milo, Ohio, built Milo Public School in 1894. The architect was J. M. Freese, who also designed the Franklin Park Conservatory. The town of Milo was absorbed into Columbus in 1908 along with the adjacent village of Grogan. Around that time, Timken Roller Bearing established one of its original factories in the neighborhood, eventually expanding, building homes and creating much of the prosperity of the district. Other businesses that flourished in Milo were the Pennsylvania Railroad, Ohio Malleable, Columbus Dye, Columbus Transit Company, several brickyards, as well as neighborhood shops, grocers, and restaurants. In the 1960s, Milo-Grogan lost approximately 20% of its land area — 400 homes and businesses — to the construction of Interstate 71. The splitting of the neighborhood by the highway, along with the eventual closure of Timken and Ohio Malleable, dramatically and adversely affected the neighborhood, leaving it one of the very poorest in Franklin County. In 1983, Richard Mann and Russell B. Snider acquired the old Milo Public School (closed since the late 1970s). In 1984, Victory Mission opened at the old Milo Public School. First utilizing the 50s wing and then expanding into the gymnasium and other rooms in the building, Victory Mission created a revolutionary program offering unique aid to homeless families. (“Victory Mission to provide daytime shelter for families”, Columbus Dispatch, August 11, 1986 text scan) With the assistance of Victory Mission, Habitat for Humanity began organizing its first central Ohio chapter, meeting in the Milo School’s kitchen and lounge. Despite such a humble and meager beginning, Habitat for Humanity succeeded in building 70 homes on previously vacant lots in the Milo-Grogan district by the late 1990s. After operating for four years, Victory Mission closed suddenly in April 1988, in part due to unresolved zoning violations. (“Only shelter for families closes”, Columbus DIspatch, April 17, 1988 text scan) The Founding of Milo Arts In the summer of 1988, Donna Mann (Rick’s wife), Pat Durkin (still working in Studio 104, Milo Arts), and Darrell Duncan approached Rick with a unique vision — to transform the old school building into a space where artists could come together to live and work. The group spent several months creating a structure that would allow such a space to exist, including self-governance and a review process for admitting new artists. Word spread through the informal network of artists within the city, and twenty-six artists joined before the first article appeared in the Columbus Dispatch. (“New Use For Old School”, Columbus Dispatch, April 18, 1989 - text scan (page 1) scan (page 2)) Landmark Zoning Variance As the number of artists increased and the vision for Milo grew, it became necessary to seek a new zoning variance from City Council that would legitimize their activities and provide for future expansion — gallery spaces, performance spaces, and more. In the true spirit of the founding principles, the artists won the hearts of their entire district through workshops and community cleanup efforts. The vision for Milo, the “dream” as it was later called, was lauded by numerous arts and political figures from the central Ohio area. (Letters of support for the variance, October 23, 1989) On November 13, 1989, “about 100 residents and Milo participants turned out to urge approval of the variance”. (“Artists get city support”, Columbus Dispatch, November 14, 1989 text scan) The variance granted the residents of Milo Arts exceptional freedom to explore the possibilities afforded by the space, and the coming years would bring success. Milo Arts in Bloom The early years of Milo Arts yielded fruit, both as hosted events and exhibitions around Columbus. (“Eros, death seen in softly focused imagery”, Columbus Dispatch, July 17, 1994 text scan; “This poetry filtered through camera’s lens”, Columbus Dispatch, May 21, 1995 text scan) The original vision, which focused on the visual arts, expanded to accommodate music and performing arts as well. Over the years, several theatre companies rehearsed and performed in the unique studio spaces. (Milo Artist Theatre, “Milo artists colony reaches out”, Columbus Dispatch, March 29, 1990 text scan; Red Herring Theatre Company, “Red Herring back with more Beckett”, Columbus Dispatch, July 10, 1997 text scan) The community of artists also collaborated to produce several successful fundraisers for the continuing renovation work throughout the building. (“Milo Arts center to ring its bells”, Columbus Dispatch, March 25, 1993 text scan) Sadly, long-time supporter and founder Russell B. Snider died in August of 1995. His sage advice and wisdom are sorely missed. The Late 1990s Throughout the latter half of the 1990s, renovations to the building continued and amenities, such as private baths and kitchens, were added to many of the studios. The “Milo complex” grew to include several buildings fronting on Cleveland Avenue, including a recording studio. In spite of these positive developments, the artist community that had burst forth in 1988 began to weaken and fall prey to self-indulgence, apathy, and neglect. Residents who were happy to help with even the basic maintenance of the building were gradually replaced with those who failed to grasp the community spirit at the core of the Milo Dream. The costs of operation relative to income started to grow. Crisis On September 12, 2000, Columbus mayor Michael B. Coleman and members of the Milo-Grogan Area Commission were touring the area, and the old Milo School was pointed out as an “eyesore”. Nine days later, an army of fire and building inspectors descended on Milo Arts, and the following day, September 22, an order was delivered requiring all residents to vacate the building within 72 hours. (“Officials order artists to leave former Milo school building”, September 24, 2000 text scan) In spite of the comprehensive zoning variance approved by City Council for the artists in 1989, and the numerous publicized events produced at Milo Arts, city officials claimed to have been “unaware people were living in the building until an inspection” on September 21. In addition, city fire officials claimed the building was unsafe due to insufficient fire suppression and alarm equipment — in direct contrast to six prior fire inspections without one violation. (“Artists fear loss of homes, studios”, Columbus Dispatch, September 26, 2000 text scan; “Milo residents left to wonder why officials want them out”, Columbus Dispatch, October 2, 2000 text scan) Despite the order to vacate, an overwhelming majority of the residents remained in the building. A hearing was scheduled on September 29, 2000, in the lobby of Milo Arts to determine its fate. Pending the outcome of the hearing, a fire watch was ordered — two off-duty Columbus firefighters patrolled the hallways around the clock — and smoking, cooking, and open flames were all prohibited within the building. On October 4, 2000, Franklin County Environmental Judge Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. denied the city’s request to evict the residents, but left in place many of the fire safety restrictions. (“Milo Arts tenants can stay”, Columbus Dispatch, October 5, 2000 text scan) Over the next three months, some of the requested repairs were made — the remainder of the requested repairs required plans to be approved by the city. Although those plans had been submitted and were awaiting approval, the city again sought to evict the residents of Milo Arts. (“City paints arts building into a corner”, January 26, 2001 text scan) As the case continued to unfold, city officials’ assertions, motives, and methods were questioned. (“Actions paint ugly picture of city’s stance on arts center”, Columbus Dispatch, February 12, 2001 text scan) On February 24, 2001, another hearing was held, (“Milo Arts Center decision delayed two weeks”, Columbus Dispatch, February 25, 2001 text scan) and the decision regarding eviction and the shutdown of the building was delayed for another two weeks. Following a hearing on March 8, 2001, (“Owners, city near fire-safety compromise”, Columbus Dispatch, March 9, 2001 text scan) a temporary occupancy permit was issued, but litigation continued until September of 2001. At the end of 2001, because of what appeared, to them, to be an obvious political assault, the Manns entered the arena of local politics. Donna Mann joined the Milo-Grogan Area Business Association, rising to the office of secretary; Rick Mann joined the Milo-Grogan Area Commission, eventually becoming its chair. Milo Arts in the Aftermath In their pursuit of justice without retribution from the city, the Mann’s debt load had increased, including lines of credit needed to fund their legal costs, operate the fire watch, settle with the estate of Russell B. Snider, and make the alterations to the building requested by Judge Pfeiffer. While juggling all of this, little could be done to further the ideals that had formed Milo. Unfortunately a number of long-term artist tenants — whether from fear of loss of their homes and businesses or from the inability to resist taking advantage of the weakened position of the Manns — ceased to pay rent and ultimately had to be evicted. This was not only a financial blow but a moral tragedy as well. The strain and loss of reputation caused by the lengthy trial reduced the occupancy of Milo Arts from 95% (which was typical throughout the early years) to barely 65% at the end of 2002. Donna Mann, who had spearheaded the dream and was pivotal in its creation, left the project never to return. By 2004, the relationship of Donna and Rick Mann that had begun as teenagers — a marriage of 30-plus years that had produced four sons — lay in the rubble. The Timken Property, Mr. Solove, and Eminent Domain At the Milo-Grogan Area Commission meeting on November 9, 2004, Jerome Solove, a local real estate developer, presented a “Position Plan” and sought the Commissioners’ endorsement. (scanned excerpt from the Solove plan) Mr. Solove had held several public meetings throughtout the neighborhood discussing his plans. And yet the key element of his plan, the acquisition and demolition of all structures within the “Expanded Timken Site” — the original Timken lot at 5th and Cleveland Avenues, combined with the land bounded by Cleveland Avenue and I-71, between 5th and 2nd Avenues (shown in purple below, labeled “PROJECT AREA”) only became clear that night. THE SOLOVE PLAN MAP  To compensate for the loss of the roughly 200 homes in the “Expanded Timken Site”, the plan called for the construction of new homes for the displaced residents within the eastern half of Milo-Grogan (“Existing Residential”, the orange areas on the map). The plan did not specify compensation for the residents of Milo Arts, located in the center of the “PROJECT AREA”. In essence, what Mr. Solove sought that night was the Commission’s acceptance of a plan that would erase roughly 25% of their community. The Commission refused to give support, stating that the plan needed to be presented to the community before it could be endorsed. At the end of the meeting, new Commission officers were elected — Rick Mann, chairperson; Aaron Summerall, vice chair; Gail Brown (director of the Milo-Grogan Boys and Girls Club), secretary; and Matt Vaccaro (Habitat homeowner), treasurer. The first act of the new Commission was to approve a letter to the residents of Milo-Grogan. (Letter to Milo-Grogan residents, November 24, 2004) A team of volunteers, including Milo artists, canvassed the neighborhood, informing residents of the dramatic changes proposed for the district, and inviting them to a town meeting on December 11, 2004. Time was of the essence, as Mr. Solove’s plan was to be presented to Columbus City Council in January 2005. The residents of Milo Arts were informed and mobilized to help with the Commission’s efforts. (Letter to Milo Arts residents, December 4, 2004) The first appearance of the plan in the press was on December 6, 2004. (“New jobs might hinge on eminent domain”, Columbus Dispatch, December 6, 2004 text, Corrections to article from Rick Mann, December 6, 2004) The town meeting on December 11, 2004, was attended by over 200 residents of the Milo-Grogan area. Although they had been invited, no representatives from city government or Mr. Solove’s organization were present. Out of his allegiance to a neighborhood he had grown to love and nurtured for twenty years, Rick Mann launched an all-out effort to stop Mr. Solove’s plan. A letter, read at the first general meeting of the Milo-Grogan Area Commission, became a rallying point. (Letter to Milo Arts residents, December 14, 2004) This extensive battle lasted more than six months, and in the end Mr. Solove dropped his request for the use of eminent domain. (“Developer drops eminent-domain bid”, Columbus Dispatch, May 5, 2005 text) The victory for the Milo-Grogan community and Milo Arts, precious as it was, was not without cost. Much of the staffing costs necessary to defeat Solove were paid for, either in cash or rent reductions. Between 2001 and 2005, four properties were liquidated to fund the negative cash flows. Milo Arts Today In May of 2006, the Heritage Properties office staff was reduced to one part-time employee and maintenance staff was cut in half. Most mortgages had not been paid for several months, utility costs from the recent winter remained unpaid and in danger of being shut off, cash flow was at an all-time low, and vacancy and credit losses from poorly selected tenants were at an all-time high. The situation appeared impossible. (Letter to Milo Arts, May 26, 2006) Heritage Properties’ current holdings consist of several major segments: Milo Arts and the surrounding properties (on Third Avenue, and on Cleveland Avenue) being the largest, followed by properties in the New Indianola Historic District (on Chittenden Avenue east of North 4th Street — a district created through the efforts of Heritage Properties and partners in the 1980s). A parking lot downtown and various properties scattered throughout central Ohio make up the balance. With the University District properties at only 60% occupancy (in June 2006) and fall rental season fast approaching, all efforts shifted to preparing, upgrading and leasing that neighborhood. (A short photo gallery of the results can be viewed here.) Through this effort, Heritage Properties proved once again that it could do excellent work, select good tenants, and achieve more than 95% occupancy. Meanwhile, a group of Milo artists had begun meeting in order to rekindle the vision they had glimpsed when coming into Milo. This has grown into physical effort on maintaining the building and work toward founding a nonprofit organization, the Artists’ Community of Milo. Today, the entire holdings of Heritage Properties are facing foreclosure, and the Milo Dream is once again under threat. (“Artists’ pad faces closure”, Columbus Dispatch, December 8, 2006 text scan; “Death of the Milo Dream”, The Other Paper, December 14, 2006 text scan) On December 23, 2006, Rick put out one final call for those who want to live the Milo dream (Letter to Milo residents, December 23, 2006) and many have responded to help avert the sheriff’s sale scheduled for January 5, 2007. There is hope, and efforts are beginning to coincide. A second nonprofit organization, Milo Oversight Organization (MOO), has begun to accept contributions to ensure the future of the Milo Arts Campus by preventing the sheriff’s sale, purchasing the Milo properties, making the necessary improvements and renovations, and preserving the Milo Dream for future generations. Milo Renewal (January 3, 2007) marks the first in a series of fundraisers. For more information, call (614) 294-3234. Updated 01/01/07 11:15 p.m. 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