This is an AI generated image of the Garden of Eatin’ in Columbiana, as the city anticipates the future of the newly designed space that was formerly a vacant lot on Main Street. (Submitted photo)

COLUMBIANA — The city has received enough funds to have Phase 1 of the Garden of Eatin’ project completed just in time for the America 250 Celebration this weekend.

The project was initiated by the Columbiana High School entrepreneurship class and has been ongoing the last few years as funds were made available.

It is the fourth project the class has worked on in the city since 2023.

The idea was to have a food truck and entertainment space on Main Street across from the Columbiana Corridor.

The Garden of Eatin’ is located at 15 S. Main St. The property was formerly a vacant lot until the entrepreneurship class began work on making it a usable space.

“The initial idea was to create a two-story structure for seating, but soil conditions will not allow the construction to occur. We have pivoted and are making an open green space with realistic turf that can be used for concerts, play, or other activities on Main Street,” City Manager Lance Willard said.

The roughly 3,000 square feet of turf installation began Wednesday morning.

Willard previously said the turf was estimated to cost $50,000, and that a $25,000 donation from the Columbiana Community Foundation and a $25,000 donation from the Columbiana County Commissioners covered that cost.

Other funding that made Phase 1 completion possible was the initial $50,000 T-Mobile grant that kickstarted the process, a $15,000 private donation, a $15,000 donation from the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, a $3,000 donation from the Fairfield Stone Company, and the most recent donation of $5,000 from the Farmers Charitable Foundation.

Willard said the city is still looking for additional donors for the project even if the donations are in smaller amounts.

Phase II will include a public parking lot, and funds are need for that portion, he added.

“The ideas that the students had are still at the forefront of the project and it has been a great youth engagement exercise for the city,” Willard said.