By Kylie Reynolds

Standing at Fourth Street in the Italian Village, the former Wonder Bread Factory, and its distinctive glowing sign, has become a Columbus landmark.

Now, Wonderland, a co-op for local artists and businesses, has received a tax credit for rehabilitating the historic factory and turning it into a creative shared space for artists, musicians and small businesses.

On June 25, Wonderland, along with 12 other projects, was awarded the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit, which provides recipients with 25 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenses for restoring historic buildings in the state.

For the 65,000 square foot Wonder Bread Factory, which is estimated to cost $3.2 million in renovations, Wonderland received $597,000 in credit.

“Wonderland will be designed to foster collaboration among artists and the creative entrepreneurs and companies it will house,” says a statement from the office of the governor. “The facility's renovation will preserve the industrial heritage of the building, including the prominent Wonder Bread sign, a local novelty.”

Because of the tax credit, Wonderland will not only have fewer funds to raise in order to launch the project, but it will also have an easier time conveying to the community the idea of Wonderland.

“To get some outside recognition that someone on the state level sees what we see in (Wonderland), in its potential, is so gratifying,” says Melissa Starker, who is on the Wonderland Board of Trustees.

As a part of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan, the tax credit awards are aimed at creating new jobs and encouraging future economic prosperity.

"Strong cities strengthen our state and strengthen our economy. And we are pleased to announce a new round of projects that will transform several fading buildings across the state back into newly productive economic life," says Governor Ted Strickland at the awards announcement in Cleveland.
The potential economic impact of the multi-use arts space was a major determinate in getting the credit, Starker says.

“The term renaissance has come up. (Wonderland) could be not just a creative but also an economic renaissance,” she adds.
To learn more about Wonderland, visit www.wonderlandcolumbus.com or http://www.columbuscityscene.org/columbus039_creative_community_introduces_new_opportunities.html