Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to designate a Clean Zone within specific boundaries in the downtown area in conjunction with the 2024 MLS All-Star Game Week, July 20, 2024 through July 24, 2024 pursuant to Columbus City Code Chapter 599. This is a large sporting event, hereby declared a “Special event”, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Columbus area, and is projected to have significant economic impact on the City and surrounding region. It is in the best interest of the City to regulate this Special event to preserve the health and safety of all citizens, visitors, and participants, as well as preserve the aesthetic qualities of the downtown area. MLS would like to prohibit street vendors in the area adjacent to the stadium, therefore, it is necessary to create a Clean Zone within specific boundaries in the downtown area in conjunction with the Special event.
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact.
Title
To designate a portion of the downtown area as a Clean Zone in order to regulate certain commercial activity on public property in connection with the 2024 MLS All-Star Game Week being held July 20, 2024 through July 24, 2024 (the “Special event”); to designate the geographical boundaries for the Clean Zone in the downtown area; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, in conjunction with various sponsors and promoters, is hosting the 2024 MLS All-Star Game Week, July 20, 2024 through July 24, 2024, (the “Special event”), at Lower.com Field and surrounding areas; and
WHEREAS, the Special event is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Columbus area and is projected to have significant economic impact; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to regulate the Special event to preserve the health and safety of all citizens, visitors, and participants, as well as preserve the aesthetic qualities of the downtown area;
WHEREAS, MLS would like to prohibit street vendors in the area adjacent to the stadium, and therefore, it is necessary to designate a Clean Zone within specific boundaries in the downtown area in conjunction with the Special Event, as shown on the attached map; and
WHEREAS, the Clean Zone shall be effective only for the duration of the dates specified and shall not affect the operations of the City outside the specified dates and Clean Zone boundaries of this Special event;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services in that it is immediately necessary to establish this Clean Zone in order to be in effect for an upcoming Special event and for the preservation of public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That, pursuant to Chapter 599 of the Columbus City Code, a portion of the downtown area of Columbus, as specified in Section 3 herein, is hereby designated a temporary Clean Zone from July 20, 2024 to July 24, 2024 for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game Week (the “Special event”).
SECTION 2. That the Clean Zone shall be in effect for from 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the designated period and ending at midnight on the last day of the designated period.
SECTION 3. That the geographic boundaries of the Clean Zone shall consist of an approximate one square mile area. Specifically, the boundaries shall be as follows:
A. Neil Avenue at I670 East south to Broadbelt Lane;
B. Broadbelt Lane headed West to Hanover Street;
C. Hanover Street headed South to Nationwide Blvd;
D. Nationwide Blvd headed South to Neiland Drive;
E. Nordecke Drive;
F. Columbus Crew Way;
G. Corner of Neiland Drive and West Nationwide Blvd headed South to West Long Street;
H. West Long Street headed East to the corner of Marconi Boulevard;
I. Marconi Boulevard headed South to Broad Street;
J. Broad Street headed East to N 3rd Street;
K. North 3rd Street, to I670;
L. Corner of North 3rd Street I670 headed West back to Neil Avenue
The Clean Zone shall encompass the area within the boundaries described above, including the entire area of the boundary streets, and all public property and right-of-way, which is adjacent to, or about, the boundary streets described. A map showing the geographical boundaries of the Clean Zone is attached to this Ordinance as Exhibit 1.
SECTION 4. That no person or regulated business may sell or vend food or drinks, frozen food, flowers, souvenirs or other merchandise, erect temporary signage, inflatables, banners, flags, pennants, wind or “sandwich board” signs or project images or otherwise engage in temporary promotional or commercial services of any kind, including sampling, from any street or right-of-way located within the geographical boundaries and the dates of the Clean Zone.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.