Rethreaded Inc., an almost 10-year-old nonprofit that creates jobs for survivors of human trafficking, is working toward an adaptive-reuse move near Springfield.
Now using space in the Rail Yard District, the nonprofit proposes to rezone property to convert three buildings at 515 E. Ninth St. for office, retail, commercial, warehousing, light manufacturing, counseling services and vocational training uses.
Rethreaded describes itself as “a conscious gift company that uses business to benefit our community and our world” through long-term employment coupled with life and career development for survivors of human trafficking.
Products include its signature scarves as well as accessories, jewelry, house goods, food, coffee and other items made by Rethreaded or offered through complementary organizations. Its website is rethreaded.com.
The nonprofit has been operating at 820 Barnett St. in space donated by Load King Manufacturing Co. That facility includes retail and office space at the front of the building and production, warehousing and meeting space at the back.
“Rethreaded has outgrown the space and has a waiting list of survivors that generally exceeds 10+ women on any given day,” says the written description with the rezoning request.
The three buildings near Springfield comprise 42,500 square feet of space on 2.31 acres. The site is near Walnut Street about a half-mile east of North Main Street.
A sign at the property is posted as Great Expectations Auction & Estate Liquidators.
Rethreaded has declined comment pending a public announcement. Founder Kristin Keen, president of the organization, registered the nonprofit with the state in August 2011.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the rezoning request Jan. 7 followed by City Council.
The Rogers Towers law firm is the applicant. Boundless Futures LLC is listed as the property owner.
The written description for Rethreaded’s requested planned unit development shows it wants to rezone the land from industrial light for the mixed-use development.
It says Rethreaded’s mission is “to renew hope, reignite dreams and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business.”
The nonprofit offers counseling, education and employment. Work and training opportunities include production, sales, marketing and finance-administration.
At the Springfield area property, Rethreaded intends to renovate the main building of the three so it can serve more survivors.
It intends to lease the other two buildings to compatible businesses. Those structures offer expansion space for Rethreaded.
The main building will comprise flexible space that can be configured for use as retail, office, commercial, warehousing, light manufacturing, counseling services and vocational training as needed.
Before the pandemic, Rethreaded hosted events to raise awareness about human trafficking and to raise money to support its business. The new location will allow that to resume.
The description said parts of the main building can be opened to provide for a large event space that includes elevated covered areas, the interior of the building and a garden area.
The site plan shows three improved buildings, with the main one running north and south parallel to railroad tracks.
The other two buildings run parallel to the large building.
There is parking as well as open courtyard space in the center between the buildings.
The main structure has an elevated covered area extending the length of the building and outside garden-meditation areas between it and the railroad tracks on the north end.
