The Other Paper: Wonderland abandons Wonder Bread factory

The story is here

Wonderland remains more concept than reality

It won't be occupied for a very long time: The old Wonder Bread factory, which Wonderland organizers hope to turn into a multi-use facility (file photo)

Wonderland's ambitious plan to transform the site of Columbus's old Wonder Bread factory into a mixed-use Mecca for artists and musicians won't come to fruition.

That's according to an email that Wonderland executive director Adam Brouillette sent to supporters -- that was then leaked to The Other Paper Wednesday afternoon.

In a story published Feb. 24, Brouillette told TOP: "We're trying to ...drive home the point that Wonderland is a concept," adding, "If the building goes away, the project doesn't go away."

Wonderland changed the address listed on its Facebook page Wednesday from the former Wonder Bread factory (697 N. Fourth St.) to 851 N. Pearl St. -- the current address of the rent-a-desk co-working community, Sandbox.

Brouillette's comments in February seemed to imply that plans to develop the abandoned Wonder Bread factory had the potential to fall through. In his email to supporters Wednesday, he confirmed that this was true.

"Initial plans to locate the project within the former Wonder Bread factory in the Short North ultimately proved unfeasible, as the building could not be secured at a rate that would be fiscally defensible for a tax-exempt organization seeking public support," Brouillette wrote.

"This was determined through a process involving input from independent property appraisers and several developers consulting with Wonderland, including a review of comparable properties in and around Downtown."

He added: "With the demand and desire in the community, Wonderland will undoubtedly and quickly be able to find another facility to support the project."

He closed the letter by asking recipients to avoid publicly discussing decision "due to the high-profile nature of this project."

Brouillette did not return phone calls requesting comment. According to his email, a press release on Wonderland's altered plans will be released in the near future.