Explanation
BACKGROUND:
In November 2000, Ohio voters passed State Issue 1 to allow for a $400 million bond issue to fund brownfield redevelopment, green space preservation and other environmental restoration and preservation programs. This statewide effort called, "the Clean Ohio Program" will be in effect for five years and affords communities around Ohio the opportunity to cleanup and redevelop contaminated sites, as well as preserve and create green space.
As core central city redevelopment is a priority of the Columbus Department of Development, Clean Ohio grant funds provide a valuable resource to incentivize site cleanup and redevelopment.
The Columbus Department of Development is interested in cleaning up the Gowdy Field site for future commercial office development. The Gowdy Field site, at Olentangy River Road and First Avenue, is approximately 28 acres in size and was used as a landfill by the City until the early 1970's. As the City contributed to Gowdy Field's contamination by using it as a landfill, the City is precluded from applying for Clean Ohio grant funding. The City, however, may convey title to the property to another party if the applicants are awarded a grant and application for a clean Ohio grant is submitted by another governmental agency without the City's direct involvement. As such, the Columbus Department of Development has requested the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, in partnership with Gowdy Partners, LLC, to act as its agent to apply for Clean Ohio grant funds in preparation for future commercial office development.
This resolution will set forth the support of City Council for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and Gowdy Partners, LLC's efforts to apply for and obtain Round 3 Clean Ohio grant funds. The Columbus Department of Development was successful in Round 1 Application for a $3 million cleanup grant for the former Jeffrey Mining site in Italian Village and Round 2 Application for a $3 million clean up grant for the former AC Humko site in Harrison West.
It is submitted as an "emergency" due to the fact that public announcements of the intent to file Clean Ohio applications must be made before June 24, 2005.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Round 3 Clean Ohio grant funding.
Title
To resolve to support the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, in partnership with Gowdy Partners, LLC, in their efforts to obtain Round 3 Clean Ohio Program grant funding for use in the cleanup and redevelopment of Gowdy Field in the Columbus community. ; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio, Clean Ohio Program will award $40 million per year, for five years, to communities throughout Ohio for the purpose of cleanup 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 cleanup 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 compliment the efforts of the City of Columbus in helping to clean up and redevelop brownfield properties in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development seeks the support of Columbus City Council on behalf of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, in partnership with Gowdy Partners, LLC, in this endeavor to apply for Round 3 Clean Ohio grant funding for Gowdy Field and to demonstrate unity and commitment in cleaning and redeveloping brownfield sites in Columbus; now, therefore: and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of City Council in that it is immediately necessary to express its support for the application described herein for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Columbus City Council hereby supports the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, in partnership with Gowdy Partners, LLC, in their efforts to obtain Round 3 Clean Ohio grant funding for the purpose of incentivizing the cleanup and redevelopment of Gowdy Field in Columbus.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.