OVMM Advisory Committee

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OVMM Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library I.

Welcomes and Transferring Chairmanship

Senator John Glenn called the meeting to order and began his introduction. The development of the Ohio Veterans Memorial and Museum (OVMM) provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on the 700,000 school children COSI attracts annually. Senator Glenn explained his intention to transfer the Chairmanship due to the expanded role of the Advisory Committee and the time commitment it would necessitate over the coming months. He then introduced Major General Dennis Laich, who had offered to assume the Chairmanship of the Advisory Committee. General Laich has over 35 years of military experience and will be able to devote the time and energy now needed as the Advisory Committee’s duties ramp up. As Chairman Emeritus, Senator Glenn will continue to be active and engaged in the Committee. II.

Member Introductions

Maj Gen. Dennis Laich (RET – U.S. Army) thanked the Senator for his service and invited all Committee members to introduce themselves. General Laich has 35 years of military service and is now retired. He lives in Powell. Burt Logan, originally from North Carolina, served from 1976 to 1981 (Military Occupation Specialty – field artillery). He is currently the Director of the Ohio Historical Society and lives in Bexley. Al Burzynski, APR, is a former member of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division (light infantry). He is a graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS). He served as an Army Public Affairs Officer and Chief, Public Affairs (Columbus VA).He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and founder of Charlie Foxtrot Group. Shawn Delgado served in the Marines from 1988 to 2008 and lives in Pataskala. Earl Bailey served in the Marines during the Vietnam War from 1959 to 1965. Tim Shigley, from Galloway, served in the Air Force from 1982 to 1987. Warren Motts was a photographer with the Ohio National Guard from 1959 to 1968. He lives in Groveport and runs Motts Military Museum. Updated on 2/27/14 at 9:58 AM Page 1 of 10

Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library

Sam Beall, from Massillon, Ohio served with the military police of the Ohio National Guard from 2000 to 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom He now lives in Pickerington. Rick Isbell served in the Air Force from 1986 to 1991, performing maintenance and photo reconnaissance in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He lives in Columbus. Robert Thurman served in the Air Force, out of Rickenbacker, from 1965 to 1972. Alex Rozanski served in the Marine Reserves under Marine Gunnery Sgt. Shawn Delgado (RET. - USMC). He currently serves as a member of the Ohio National Guard. As a civilian, Mr. Rozanski works for the Dublin Department of Parks and Open Space. Col. Patrick Malay (USN) will retire in May 2014, having served since 1981. Col. Jim McClaugherty (RET - USAF) retired from the Air Force in 2000, having served since 1970. He represents his boss, DLA Land and Maritime Commander Rear Adm. David R. Pimpo, USN, on the Committee. Lt Gen. Richard V, Reynolds, (RET – USAF) from Beavercreek, Ohio, served from 1967 to 2005. He currently serves at the Chairman of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and lives in Dayton. Col. Paul Craft began his service in the Marines and subsequently transferred to the Army. He currently serves in the Ohio Army National Guard and as Superintendent of Delaware City Schools. Dr. Peter Mansoor served two tours in Iraq, in 2003 and 2004. He is currently a professor of military history at The Ohio State University. Ms. Susan Bogan, Mr. Russ Goodwin, Mr. Joe Jennings, Mr. Bill Ruth, Mr. Fred Weed, and Captain Karen Spikes are also members of the Advisory Committee; however, they were unable to attend the meeting on February 21, 2014. III.

Mission and Subcommittees

Maj. Gen. Laich described the need for the Advisory Committee to be divided into subcommittees and invited members to read over the Committee mission statement and descriptions of each subcommittee.

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Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library OVMM Advisory Committee Mission Statement The mission of the Ohio Veterans Memorial and Museum Advisory Committee is to provide feedback and recommendations to the architects and designers of the facility with the goal of creating a world-class, state-of-the-art representation of the contributions and sacrifices made by Ohio's military veterans and their families, and that educates and inspires the public about veterans and military affairs. Additionally, the Advisory Committee will serve as an active liaison between the project manager, CDDC, and veterans groups, active military organizations, and individuals throughout Ohio who wish to provide input to the process. Communications Subcommittee--The Communications Subcommittee will convey activities and recommendations of the Ohio Veterans Memorial and Museum Advisory Committee to the public via electronic means by posting minutes of its meetings in a timely manner. The Subcommittee will also receive and internally route feedback and recommendations received electronically from veterans, veterans groups, and the general public. Finally, the Subcommittee will work with CDDC to interface with the media in response to requests from the public and inform them of the Advisory Committee’s activities and progress. Interior Exhibits Subcommittee--The Interior Exhibits Subcommittee will take the lead in receiving and recommending concepts and ideas regarding state-ofthe-art and interactive exhibits that will be housed in the interior of the facility. These exhibits will be focused on accomplishing the overall mission of the Memorial and Museum: education, inspiration, and closing the emerging divide between civilians and the military in America. The Subcommittee will consider recommendations from outside sources and their own ideas in making recommendations to the full Advisory Committee. The full committee will then make recommendations to the project manager and design consultants. Exterior Exhibits Subcommittee--The Exterior Exhibits Subcommittee will take the lead in receiving and recommending dignified, state-of-the-art, static displays and exhibits on the grounds of the facility that will accomplish the overall mission of the Ohio Veterans Memorial and Museum. The Subcommittee will consider input from outside sources and their own ideas in making recommendations to the full Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will then make recommendations to the project manager and design consultants.

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Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library Maj. Gen. Laich invited Mr. Burzynski to chair the Communications Subcommittee. Mr. Burzynski accepted. Maj. Gen. invited Mr. Logan to chair the Internal Exhibits Subcommittee. Mr. Logan accepted. Maj. Gen. Laich invited Dr. Mansoor to chair the External Exhibits Subcommittee. Dr. Mansoor accepted. Maj. Gen. invited members to approach the subcommittee chairs directly about participating in the subcommittee that interests them and then opened up the conversation to questions. No questions were asked regarding the subcommittees or mission and no changes were introduced to the mission and subcommittee structure; it stands as written. IV.

Project Update

Guy Worley introduced himself and the process by which the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) was tasked with developing the OVMM. CDDC’s scope includes hiring architects, raising funds for the project, and hiring a contractor to build the OVMM. Mr. Worley described the other components of the Scioto Peninsula Master Plan including a new Columbus Zoo element, as well as residential and retail developments with complementary greenspace and parking. Mr. Worley shared the goals of the OVMM: to engage school children and to create the best state veterans memorial and museum in the country. V.

Program of Requirements

Keith Myers, who has helped guide early Advisory Committee meetings through developing a program of requirements for the OVMM, shared the results of past meetings. Symbolism and identity, as well as education and inspiration, were identified as central tenets of the memorial and museum by the Committee. Additionally, a basic set of desired components was established along with a diagram showing the patron experience. Mr. Worley discussed the process by which the program of requirements was shared with architects who were invited to submit proposals for the OVMM. A world-class design team was selected: the architecture firm Allied Works Architecture, led by Brad Cloepfil, and the landscape architecture firm Olin, led by Laurie Olin.

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Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library VI.

Design Update

Mr. Cloepfil briefly introduced his design team – Kyle Lommen and Chelsea Grassinger. Mr. Cloepfil described their design inspirations and aspirations. The OVMM will be an icon for Columbus, the region, and hopefully the country. The concept of inspiring young people to serve drives their design. The ultimate goal is to create a new corner of the City that is exciting, engaging, and inspiring. Maj. Gen. Laich asked Mr. Cloepfil to identify the various elements of the OVMM design. Mr. Cloepfil explained that they had begun the schematic design phase of the project. The OVMM building has been moved closer to Broad Street to create a better visual and physical connection to Broad Street, COSI, and the proposed park to the west of COSI. The entrance will stem right off of the Broad Street Bridge. The design of the building had to be adapted and negotiated because of the grade of the site. The OVMM will also include a memorial grove just north of the building. Mr. Delgado asked were the parking will be. Mr. Cloepfil responded that initially it will be surface parking where it is now. Guy Worley later followed up that when the surface lot is transformed into a residential development, a structured parking garage will be built and will serve as the OVMM parking. Mr. Isbell pointed out there needs to be drop off locations for school groups and disabled patrons. Mr. Cloepfil explained that is being explored now. Mr. Thurman asked if the PowerPoint slides would be made available to the Committee. Mr. Worley assured the Committee that they would be. Senator Glenn shared a bit of history of Broad Street and suggested to the architects that it might be good to incorporate this information into the OVMM design if possible. Mr. Shigley expressed appreciation for the memorial grove concept as a positive addition to the OVMM design. Maj. Gen. Laich agreed and asked about the space between the grove and the river. Mr. Myers described this area, which contains a floodwall and also a floodplain. Mr. Olin briefly described the Scioto Greenways project and how the riverfront adjacent to the OVMM would be improved in the coming years. The Scioto Greenways project is currently underway and will narrow the river, create 33 acres of additional parkland and almost 1.5 miles of trail connections. The new parkland will serve as the “front yard” to the OVMM.

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Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library Mr. Thurman asked if the floodwall could be engraved. Mr. Myers answered that much of the wall will not be visible, but there will be opportunities in the memorial grove for engravings and they will research what possibilities there are to engage the portions of the floodwall that are visible. Mr. Cloepfil resumed his presentation. The OVMM should not just be a destination; it should be a place people want to spend time. The sanctuary will be an inspiring space. Maj. Gen. Laich pointed out that the sanctuary will also serve as a place for military and veterans’ events and ceremonies. Mr. Cloepfil emphasized his design team is trying to make the space as open and flexible as possible; this is driven by the themes of ceremony and assembly. The building will rise out of the riverbank toward the sky. An advisory committee member asked if there was any reason for the shape of the building. Mr. Cloepfil said there was not any specific icon or symbol it was modeled after. Dr. Mansoor asked how the space would be used in inclement weather and if a retractable roof could be integrated into the design. Mr. Cloepfil responded – the building will include an auditorium, which will seat approximately 400 people. In addition, a retractable roof would not be possible within the budget currently proposed. Mr. Cloepfil resumed his presentation. His design team looked at a lot of other spaces and museums. The OVMM provides an opportunity to set a new standard for veterans memorials and museums for the country. Senator Glenn discussed the importance of having interactive exhibits that will appeal to children. Mr. Cloepfil said he agreed and that CDDC is currently looking for an exhibit designer. Dr. Mansoor encouraged the architects to visit the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania to see and learn about its interactive exhibits. Mr. Isbell also recommended the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. Lt. Gen. Reynolds encouraged a visit to the Air Force Museum. Mr. Thurman, addressing the architects, said that all branches will want to be represented in visual displays, to have something to show their children and grandchildren. Col. Malay said he had spoken with staff at the Marine Memorial at Quantico. The subject matter can be hard to represent, as it can be very sobering. The Quantico staff is trying to Updated on 2/27/14 at 9:58 AM Page 6 of 10

Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library engage people with concerts and events. Will the OVMM amphitheater be big enough for something like this? Mr. Cloepfil said it would be. A conversation ensued about the proper balance between attracting and engaging the public and memorializing veterans. Mr. Shigley pointed out that this balance may be hard to strike, but is important. Maj. Gen. Laich cautioned the Committee cannot allow the mission of the museum to slip from one of memorializing veterans to accommodating the public’s need for event space – as with what happened to the current veterans memorial. Mr. Shigley asked what the role of veterans would be once the OVMM was complete. Maj. Gen. Laich responded: CDDC, City, County, and State are thinking about this now. The issue will be addressed effectively and with respect. General Laich also noted that this issue is beyond the Committee’s mission. Mr. Thurman commented that given the military’s makeup – an all-volunteer force – joining the military as a career option should be addressed by the OVMM. Mr. Motts brought up the issue of maintenance costs. General Laich assured Mr. Motts that this was being thought about and discussed by those responsible for ongoing maintenance. Mr. Cloepfil resumed his presentation, discussing the processional element of the OVMM. The idea of service and commitment to a goal larger than oneself, whether military or civic, is an important concept to highlight. The design team has discussed the possibility of installing a point of light for every veteran lost. Mr. Cloepfil then discussed the sanctuary element of the OVMM, which is the flexible space that can be used for events. From ground level, outside of the museum, visitors will be able to walk up the processional into the sanctuary and look out onto the City. The sanctuary will also connect to the exhibit space somehow. Mr. Isbell asked if the museum will be a green building. Mr. Cloepfil said that is under consideration. Mr. Olin began his portion of the presentation, describing the long tradition of groves of trees in military history, as well as in memorials. The landscape design team imagines a grove of trees just north of the OVMM building that will filter light and provide a somber place for reflection. Additionally, the floodwall along the eastern portion of the OVMM site creates a lifted elevation along which a path can run that will allow visitors to see the city skyline. In the grove there will be space for outdoor “rooms” and memorials. The number of rooms has not yet been decided or what they will be dedicated to – recommendations from the Advisory Committee can be reviewed by CDDC and the design team. Lastly, from the top of Updated on 2/27/14 at 9:58 AM Page 7 of 10

Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library the processional and sanctuary, visitors will look out onto the tops of the memorial grove trees. Senator Glenn asked if an inflatable cover could be used over the sanctuary. Mr. Olin said the design team would explore it and report back to the Committee. Senator Glenn proposed statues or an installation like the Korean War Memorial statues in Washington, DC. Mr. Olin explained the design state they are in now is about building an armature that can accommodate such installations. Mr. Cloepfil explained that due to moving the building closer to Broad Street, there is now as much outdoor OVMM space as there is indoor space. Mr. Logan asked how the design might be able to embrace the harshness of the weather, which is a reality here in Central Ohio. Mr. Olin and Mr. Cloepfil agreed this has to be taken into account. Mr. Shigley said the OVMM provides an opportunity to incorporate ideas and concepts that have worked well elsewhere. Mr. Delgado agreed, saying he thought this was the real function of the Committee – to identify these ideas and concepts and bring them to the design team. Mr. Cloepfil concluded his presentation with a brief discussion of the interior portions of the OVMM. The great hall will be open, visually, to the city with lots of natural light. Light controlled spaces will be mostly restricted to the exhibit spaces. There will also be an indoor assembly space and a café component, although the café concept has not been completely flushed out. On the second floor there will be exhibitions, offices, and meeting rooms. Some spaces will be two stories high – allowing visitors to look down into exhibits. Mr. Isbell asked if the great hall could accommodate events; in particular, the Stand Down event for homeless veterans in the community. Mr. Cloepfil explained the room is quite large and has only a very slight bend due to the shape of the building and felt it could easily accommodate this event as described to him. Mr. Cloepfil concluded, saying the opportunities are endless and that his team will be working closely with the exhibit designers once they’re brought on board. Mr. Thurman commented that the Ohio Revised Code requires memorials to list all service members killed in action.

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Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library Mr. Cloepfil said his team would be thinking a lot about how to make the space appeal to both the individual and the community, as well as how the building should be illuminated. Mr. Bailey commented that the flagpole at the memorial must always be lit. VII.

Design Timeline

Mr. Lommen went over the timeline for the design. By the end of May, the design team will be done with Schematic Design. At this point, it would make sense for them to meet with the Advisory Committee again. Additionally, the group should meet again at the end of September, once the Design Development Phase is complete. Mr. Cloepfil added that throughout this time period, the design teams will work with the subcommittees, especially once the exhibit designers are brought on board. General Laich echoed that the subcommittees will work directly with CDDC, the project manager, and with the designers. Mr. Delgado asked how the OVMM was being funded. Mr. Worley described the funding strategy, which includes secured commitments from the Wexners ($25 million), Franklin County ($3 million and a construction-ready site), as well as an aggressive private fundraising campaign and a state capital budget request. Mr. Worley expressed his confidence in the project and raising the $50, 900,000 needed to construct the OVMM, but asked that the Committee work together to help keep the project on/under budget. Mr. Worley then briefly described the rest of the Scioto Peninsula plan and the associated timeline. The OVMM is projected to be completed in the fall of 2016, with the current veterans memorial closing in August 2014 and the site being remediated and ready for construction in the spring of 2015. The Scioto Greenways project will be completed in the fall of 2015 and the Zoo should be completed in the summer of 2017. Simultaneously, work will be done to upgrade utilities and infrastructure on the Peninsula. The goal is to be done with the entire Scioto Peninsula in five to seven years, with all of the residential and retail space being constructed privately. Mr. Delgado asked if the underground parking garage was still being considered. Mr. Olin said one level below ground is possible. Mr. Isbell asked if the veterans memorial surface parking lot was developed into a building, would parking still be maintained in that space? Mr. Worley explained that in order to achieve the economic development goals set forth for the redevelopment of the Peninsula, the plan has to include residential, retail, cultural, and recreation spaces. The surface parking lot site will eventually be developed into residential with retail, but will maintain parking for the OVMM. Updated on 2/27/14 at 9:58 AM Page 9 of 10

Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Feb. 21, 2014 · 10 a.m. · Main Library

Mr. Thurman asked how the maintenance and operations of the OVMM would be funded and if it would be free. Mr. Worley said CDDC estimates a $3 million annual operating budget. Various business models are being considered. A brief conversation ensued between Mr. Delgado and Mr. Worley regarding ownership of the OVMM site, future operations of the OVMM, and the potential for it to fall into disrepair, as the current Franklin County Veterans Memorial building has. Currently, Franklin County owns the site and will continue to own it. However, CDDC will have a 50 year lease to the property and a nonprofit will be created to operate the OVMM. The board of this nonprofit will be made up mostly of veterans. Additionally, the surface parking lot land will be sold for private development. The sale of this property will go into an endowment fund to help support the OVMM. General Laich thanked the Committee for attending and reminded members to see the subcommittee chairs for membership opportunities. He suggested a meeting date at the end of May, which will be reviewed by CDDC with formal invitations to be issued in March. General Laich adjourned the meeting.

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