Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement of understanding with 8 East Long Holdings, LLC in conjunction with a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF) grant application for environmental clean up at the Atlas Building at 8 East Long Street in Downtown Columbus and to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a COAF grant in an amount of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the site.
The Atlas Building was constructed in 1923 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has 12 stories of office space with first floor retail space and was recently acquired by 8 East Long Holdings, LLC who plans to convert the building into 102 apartment units and maintain first floor retail space. Total project cost is estimated at $12 million.
If awarded the requested COAF grant, the funding will be used for asbestos abatement and limited interior demolition.
This legislation authorizes the agreement of understanding along with the grant application and is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio grant application process immediately to insure meeting state datelines.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio Assistance Funding. If the application is approved, 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 enter into an agreement of understanding with 8 East Long Holdings, LLC in conjunction with a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant application for environmental clean up at the Atlas Building at 8 East Long Street in Downtown Columbus and to authorize the application to the Ohio Department of Development for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the Atlas Building site; 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
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding will greatly complement the efforts of the developer; 8 East Long Holdings, LLC to invest approximately $12 million to construct 102 apartment units and maintain commercial retail space in Downtown Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding could provide up to $750,000 in clean up costs; 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 apply for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding in order to commence the Clean Ohio grant process immediately to insure meeting state datelines, 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 Columbus Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement of understanding with 8 East Long, LLC in conjunction with a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant application of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up the Atlas Building at 8 East Long Street in Downtown Columbus and is authorized and directed to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the Atlas Building site.
Section 2. 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.