Columbus organization seeks to save historic Spaghetti Warehouse trolley from demolition
Rickenbacker Woods Foundation has been working on plans to relocate the trolley from the doomed building at 397 W. Broad St. in Franklinton to a site where it will be featured in an exhibit honoring African American inventor Granville T. Woods. Executive Director Michael Aaron said that since the building, which suffered a partial roof collapse in 2022, cannot be saved that rescuing the trolley that it was the restaurant's centerpiece is the next best thing.
RWF wants to preserve the trolley to 'provide a dynamic educational platform to celebrate Woods' inventions and their impact on modern technology.'
With demolition approaching, Aaron is concerned that time is running out. He stressed the urgency of taking action before it is too late, noting that the streetcar has been a key part of memories for patrons of the beloved restaurant, representing the 'joy of food and happy times.'
Aaron said the foundation has had discussions with Spaghetti Warehouse and the original rigging company that installed the trolley. Plans began early last year, but recent developments have raised concerns about their feasibility. RWF has secured $500,000 of federal funding through the city, in the form of a Community Development Block Grant, to build a park that would house the trolley, creating an educational space highlighting Woods' contributions to transportation and communication technology.
'We are submitting our proposal which is Project Genesis, which is the new start to the Rickenbacker Woods Foundation's education initiatives,' Aaron told Columbus City Council at the time. 'We've asked the City of Columbus and the federal government to fund a new park on Columbus' South Side. Where this park will go is replacing an alley. It's replacing a scary-looking part of the neighborhood with beauty.'
The building is owned by the Robert Weiler Company, which acknowledged the foundation's interest in the trolley car, as well as from other groups. But the larger concern remains the building's instability.
The RWF group is also seeking help from other preservation advocates and local leaders. Pointing to the financial and logistical challenges of moving and restoring the trolley, it is looking for support from those with resources and expertise. The organization said potential tax incentives and financial benefits could be available.
The Spaghetti Warehouse opened a new location in Downtown Columbus after the closing of the Franklinton restaurant, which had many of its antiques used for decor auctioned off in 2023. A video about plans for the original Spaghetti Warehouse site is available in the player above.
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