BRETT & DAN : 2015 Independents’ Day Festival

Independents’ Day Celebration

Kramer Engineers, Brett Kramer & Dan Staudt, were standing tall at the 2015 Independents’ Day Festival. A yearly event that celebrates developing independent culture and commerce. While brett was there to enjoy the celebration, Dan, a professional stilt walker, was there to entertain the crowds. 

However, they were both at the event to support the Columbus Idea Foundry. The Idea Foundry is a local artisan coworking space; and part of a tapestry of organizations woven to further the revitalization of the Franklinton community.

Old Buildings, New Life

But the Independents’ Day Festival is only one of the draws that bring people to the Franklinton neighborhood. Through adaptive reuse, development visionaries took old unoccupied industrial buildings and brought them back to life.  These spaces have become sites for live/work art studios, lofts, offices and restaurants.  Brett Kramer and Dan Staudt have played an integral part in that development. As they have provided engineering design on a number of projects in the district. Among them  Strongwater Food and Spirits, Lucas Lofts and 400 West RichArts Complex. 

The Word Is Out

So now, Franklinton is not just attracting local awareness; the area rebirth strategy has captured national attention.  Because in 2014, the plan won the National Planning Excellence Award for Innovation in Economic Development & Planning.