Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize an agreement between the Director of the Department of Development and the Ohio Department of Development to accept Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding in an amount of up to $750,000 for environmental clean up at the former B&T Metals site at 435 West Town Street in Franklinton. This legislation also authorizes an agreement between the Director of the Department of Development and Brick Investments to apply the grant funding toward environmental clean up at the project site.
The Ohio Department of Development has approved the grant application contingent on Ohio Controlling Board approval scheduled for June 1, 2009.
Authorization to apply for said Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant was obtained under Columbus City Council Ordinance 0866-2008, approved June 2, 2008.
Pursuant to Ordinance 0390-2006 and Ordinance 0581-2007, the Department of Development applied for and received a $174,803 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to undertake a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the site to determine clean up costs to accommodate a 134 unit condominium development with a small art theatre, restaurant and office with an estimated total investment of approximately $15-20 million. The Phase 2 assessment was completed earlier this year to allow for application of the Clean Ohio grant funds to remove asbestos and various contaminates, as well as to undertake limited demolition before commencing redevelopment of the site.
The development will be undertaken by Brick Investments of Beverly Hills California.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio grant process immediately contingent on Ohio Controlling Board approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with accepting Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding. The City will receive a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Grant from the Ohio Department of Development in the amount of $750,000.00 to apply toward site clean up.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Development to receive and administer Clean Ohio Assistance grant funds of up to $750,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $750,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Brick Investments to apply said grant funding for environmental clean up at the former B&T Metals site; to authorize the expenditure of up to $750,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Clean Ohio Program provides environmental assessment and remediation grants to Ohio communities for the purpose of clean up and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties known as "brownfields"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus contains brownfield properties which may qualify for Clean Ohio clean up and redevelopment grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has been involved with brownfield redevelopment since 1999 through its administration of the Columbus Brownfield Redevelopment Program and its associated task force; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding will greatly complement the efforts of the developer; Brick Investments, to invest at least $15 million to construct 134 condominium units with an art theatre commercial retail and office components at the former B&T Metals site in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding will provide up to $750,000.00 in clean up costs to allow for redevelopment of the former B&T Metals site in Franklinton; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to accept Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding and to enter into said contract in order to commence the Clean Ohio grant process immediately contingent on Ohio Controlling Board approval, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Development to receive and administer Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funds of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the former B&T Metals site in Franklinton.
Section 2. That the sum of $750,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated from the un appropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources appropriated and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, to the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division Number 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3526, with the OCA and grant codes to be issued by the City Auditor upon award of said grant.
Section 3. That the Director of the Columbus Department of Development is authorized to enter into an agreement with Brick Investments in an amount of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up work at the former B&T Metals site in Franklinton.
Section 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 3, the expenditure of up to $750,000.00 is hereby authorized from the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division No. 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3526, with the OCA and grant codes to be issued by the City Auditor upon award of said grant.
Section 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.