Explanation
The Grange Mutual Casualty Company desires to expand and remodel its existing corporate headquarters at a cost of between $3,000,000.00 and $4,000,000.00, construct an additional office building of approximately 200,000 square feet at a cost of between $39,100,000.00 and $45,100,000.00 and to build a 1,000 space parking garage at a cost of between $19,400,00000 and $22,700,000.00 on its site at 650 South Front Street. This project is expected to enable Grange to create approximately 800 full-time, permanent job opportunities over the next twenty years. The Ohio Department of Development invited the Columbus Department of Development to apply for a $150,000.00 roadwork improvement grant to help facilitate this expansion and City Council authorized this grant application by Ordinance 0065-2006 passed January 25, 2006. The roadwork grant application is part and parcel of a tax incentive package approved by City Council in October 2005 which included an enterprise zone tax incentive (Ordinance 1726-2005) a large employment office incentive (Ordinance 1752-2005) and the creation of a tax increment finance district (Ordinance 1724-2005), all to facilitate the expansion of Grange in Columbus and help offset costs.
This legislation allows the Development Director to accept the $150,000.00 grant. It also authorizes the Public Service Director to enter into a guaranteed maximum cost agreement with Grange for the latter to construct these improvements. The Public Service Department will administer the guaranteed maximum cost agreement with Grange as a matter of expediency and because of its expertise and familiarity with roadway improvements.
Fiscal Impact: There is no cost to the City of Columbus for this roadway improvement beyond the amount of this grant. This ordinance appropriates $150,000.00 within the General Government Grant Fund and authorizes its expenditure for this purpose.
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate construction as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Development Director to accept a $150,000 Ohio Department of Development roadwork improvement grant to benefit the Grange Mutual Casualty Company expansion in the Brewery District; to authorize the appropriation of these monies within the General Government Grant; to authorize the Public Services Director to enter into a guaranteed maximum cost agreement with Grange pursuant to Section 186 of the Columbus City Charter to construct the roadwork improvements at 650 South Front Street; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000)
Body
WHEREAS, Grange Mutual Casualty Company desires to expand and remodel its existing corporate headquarters at a cost of between $3,000,000.00 and $4,000,000.00 and construct an additional office building of approximately 200,000 square feet at a cost of between $39,100,000.00 and $45,100,000.00 and to build a 1,000 space parking garage at a cost of between $19,400,000.00 and $22,700,000.00 at 650 South Front Street; and
WHEREAS, the project is expected to enable Grange to create approximately 800 full-time, permanent job opportunities over the next twenty years; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Development invited the Columbus Department of Development to apply for a $150,000.00 roadwork improvement grant to help facilitate the Grange's expansion; and
WHEREAS, the roadwork grant application is part and parcel of the tax incentive package approved by City Council for Grange in October 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department will provide the necessary professional expertise to administer the aforesaid grant for the associated roadwork construction; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Development Department in that where it is immediately necessary to accept the Ohio Department of Development $150,000.00 roadwork improvement grant, thereby preserving the pubic health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Development Director be and hereby is authorized to accept a $150,000.00 roadwork improvement grant from the Ohio Department of Development to benefit the expansion of Grange Mutual Casualty Company.
SECTION 2. That the sum of $150,000.00 be and hereby is appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the Fund 220, the General Government Grant Fund, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, to the Transportation Division, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 596013 and Project 596013.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Public Service Director and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the Public Service be and hereby is authorized to enter into a guaranteed maximum cost agreement with the Grange Mutual Casualty Company pursuant to Section 186 of the Columbus City Charter for roadwork improvements at 650 South Front Street.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $150,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary be and is hereby authorized from Fund 220, the General Government Grant Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 596013 and Project 596013.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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 or vetoes the same.