Lofts at 40 Long Media Event

How I produced a high-impact media event for a $65M historic redevelopment

In 2025, Woda Cooper Companies and its public-sector partners began the transformation of one of downtown Columbus’ most iconic buildings—the former YMCA at 40 Long Street—into 121 affordable housing apartments.

The project, now known as Lofts at 40 Long, is a $65.7 million adaptive reuse of a seven-story, National Register–listed historic building that will bring long-term affordable housing to the heart of the city.

At the request of the City of Columbus and Downtown Columbus, Inc., Woda Cooper hosted a media-focused press event to formally announce the project and begin telling its story to the public.

I was entrusted with all aspects of the event.

The Vision

Unlike ribbon cuttings or resident celebrations, this event had a very specific audience: the media.

The goal was to:

Generate earned coverage across TV, radio, print, and online
Frame the redevelopment as a historic preservation success story
Clearly communicate affordability, funding, and timeline
Position Woda Cooper as the development partner trusted with one of the city’s most important buildings
Showcase the amazing potential of the building

With city leadership driving the announcement, the experience had to be tight, visual, and newsworthy.

Local TV & radio setting up pre-event.

My Role & Responsibilities

Media-Centered Event Design
- Designed the format specifically for:
  - TV crews
  - Print journalists
  - Digital reporters
- Structured the event to deliver:
  - Strong visuals
  - Clear sound bites
  - Accurate, quotable project details
Messaging & Run of Show
- Built the media run of show to ensure:
  - City leadership, including Columbus’ Mayor
  - Development partners
  - Woda Cooper leadership
  - Consistent talking points
On-Site Execution
- Managed:
  - Event flow
  - Media positioning (including scouting locations beforehand for echo, lighting, and framing)
  - Speaker timing
  - Interview coordination
- Ensured reporters had access to:
  - Renderings
  - Background materials
  - Accurate financial and housing data

The Result

The event achieved exactly what it was designed to do: organic media placement across television, radio, newspapers, and online outlets—without paid advertising.