Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department (the "Department") to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, DBA Thrive Companies, (the "Developer") and Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC (the "Owner") and to formally accept and dedicate from the Owner a 1.7 acre parkland parcel at 854 West Town Street in Franklinton as part of the Mount Carmel West development, as required by City Code Chapter 3318. In addition, this ordinance will authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to grant a temporary construction access easement and enter into a park construction and maintenance agreement with the Developer.
Since 2019, the former Mount Carmel West Hospital Campus in Franklinton has been in planning to redevelop the area into a mixed use neighborhood of residential, commercial, and office spaces. During the rezoning process, the Department has been working with the Developer to establish highly needed public park space in Franklinton. As a result of these discussions, the Department and the Developer have agreed to the terms of an MOU that will require the Owner to donate a 1.7 acre parcel of land to the City to be dedicated as public parkland. Upon completion of construction of other buildings in this direst vicinity by the Developer, the Developer has also agreed to build a new park on the donated parkland and to maintain the park improvements in perpetuity.
The Recreation and Parks Commission approved the terms of the MOU and authorized the Director to accept the land donation at its September 14, 2022 meeting.
Principal Parties:
Wagenbrenner Development Inc. DBA Thrive Companies
842 North 4th Street, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Mark Wagenbrenner, (614) 545-9247
Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC
842 N. Forth St. Ste 200
Columbus, OH 43215
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to authorize the Director to enter into the MOU and grant the temporary construction easement so as not to delay the Developer's construction schedule which is set to begin by November 2022.
Benefits to the Public: Franklinton is the City's most underserved community for parks and active recreation. Providing small neighborhood-scale recreation spaces will improve community health and wellness through outdoor play, walking, social interaction, and a sense of neighborhood pride.
Community Input/Issues: During 2020, public engagement with the Franklinton Community was done to review conceptual designs of the park. The project was also reviewed by the area commission and the Recreation and Parks Department, approving the 1.7 acre park design and noting its key location in a neighborhood that has no park space.
Area(s) Affected: Franklinton (54)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by supporting partnerships as well as providing quality parks, paths, and connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is required at this time.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, DBA Thrive Companies and Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC; to authorize the Director to formally accept and dedicate a 1.7 acre parkland parcel at 854 West Town Street in Franklinton as part of the Mount Carmel West development; to authorize the Director to grant a temporary construction access easement and a park construction and maintenance agreement to Wagenbrenner Development, DBA Thrive Companies; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, DBA Thrive Companies and Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC and to formally accept from Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC and dedicate a 1.7 acre parkland parcel at 854 West Town Street in Franklinton as part of the Mount Carmel West development; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to grant a temporary construction access easement and enter into a park construction and maintenance agreement with the Developer; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into the MOU and grant the construction easement so as not to delay the construction scheduled which is set to begin by November 2022, 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 Recreation and Parks Department is hereby authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, DBA Thrive Companies and Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC, and to formally accept from Franklinton Apartments I QOZB, LLC and dedicate a 1.7 acre parkland parcel at 854 West Town Street in Franklinton as part of the Mount Carmel West development.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department is hereby authorized to grant a temporary construction easement and enter into a park construction and maintenance agreement with the Developer.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this 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.