The JDI Group, Inc. partnered with Empower1 Community Transformation Inc. to advance Project Ignite, a visionary initiative to renovate The Empowerment Center in Toledo, Ohio. The revitalized facility is envisioned as a hub for community engagement, education, and empowerment, offering resources for youth and families to grow personally, professionally, and creatively.
The first floor of the facility is planned to house spaces for coaching, mentoring, group assembly, staff offices, and conference rooms, while the second floor will be dedicated to youth training programs in broadcasting, photography, videography, and software coding. The project also includes ADA upgrades and exterior site improvements to enhance accessibility, safety, and curb appeal.
JDI provided a comprehensive feasibility study and conceptual design package to support Empower1’s development and fundraising campaign, including:
• Field measurement and documentation of existing building conditions to support the occupancy permit application
• 3D digital modeling of the facility in Revit to aid visualization and design planning
• Schematic floor plans and conceptual layouts to align the building’s functionality with program goals
• Interior and exterior renderings illustrating design intent, material finishes, and potential building upgrades
• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) construction cost estimates to guide phased fundraising and budgeting strategies
Deliverables also included physical presentation boards and 3D printed models to help Empower1 communicate its vision to donors, stakeholders, and city partners.
The Project Ignite Feasibility Study laid the foundation for transforming The Empowerment Center into a vibrant community resource that promotes education, creativity, and opportunity. JDI’s planning and design expertise provided Empower1 with the tools needed to engage supporters, secure funding, and take the next steps toward realizing its mission of empowering individuals and families through faith, innovation, and community transformation.
