AIOIC

The American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) is located on a key parcel. It forms the east gateway to the American Indian Cultural Corridor and has the opportunity to be a catalyst development. The site has both street-level access to Franklin and Cedar Avenues as well as platform-level access to the Franklin LRT station and bicycle path. It is a large site, but the current building is set far back from the street and leaves substantial open space for surface parking. There is the possibility to accommodate a larger building with additional uses on the site. In addition to the physical characteristics of the site, the AIOIC training programs are one of the cornerstones of the Cultural Corridor. Job training is one of the most import aspects to human capacity development and the improvement of the economic wellbeing of American Indian people. The programming provided by AIOIC is a vital asset to the community and should be preserved, expanded, and calibrated to 21st century jobs and high-growth sectors. The current building is full to capacity, and it is an appropriate time to consider a facility expansion for the AIOIC. The 2001 Franklin LRT Master Plan did not include redevelopment of this site, and the 2005 Implementation Plan advocated for relocating the training facility from this site to another parcel. However, the community and AIOIC have indicated that having the training facility adjacent to the LRT provides easy access for students and increases the viability of additional uses that could provide revenue to AIOIC and support the operations of the training facility. The site is large enough to accommodate an expanded training facility and related spaces, street-level retail, and a mid or high-rise tower that could accommodate office space or housing. The rendering above is an example indicating what current zoning will allow on the site. Substantial utility relocation will be required to accomplish this type of pedestrian-oriented development on the site.

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