Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the
Clean Ohio Council for redevelopment assistance funding in an amount up to $300,000.00. The requested funding
will be used for a Phase II environmental assessment at the former Auld facility at 1209 North Fifth Street.
The former Auld facility was used for metal finishing operations from 1920 through 2000 when operations closed
and the 4,5,6 -Group LLC purchased the property. An Ohio Voluntary Action Program Phase I assessment was
performed on the site in January 2004, identifying several areas of concern including chemical media and
asbestos left at the site. The City, partnering with the 4,5,6 -Group LLC, will use the requested grant funds for
sampling and analysis of chemicals at the site to determine a clean-up strategy, perform a preliminary risk
assessment and complete an asbestos survey to quantify removal costs. Plans for site redevelopment are still
undetermined, but the Columbus Department of Development and the 4,5,6 -Group LLC are committed to working
area residents on a plan to compliment the existing neighborhood. This legislation and the associated assistance
grant application does not subject the City to liability for any site contamination, which may exist at or near the
former Auld site.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio assistance grant funding. If
the application is approved by the State, the City of Columbus will receive up to 300,000.00 for Phase II
environmental assessment at the former Auld site.
EMERGENCY
JUSTIFICATION: This legislation is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio grant application
immediately.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development Clean Ohio Council for assistance grant funding in an amount of up to $300,000.00 for a Phase II environmental assessment at the former Auld site at 1209 North Fifth Street; 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 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 its associated task force; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding will greatly complement the efforts of the Columbus Department of Development in helping to clean-up and redevelop brownfield properties in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has identified a brownfield property, which may be eligible for the Clean Ohio grant assistance fund, at 1209 North Fifth Street, which is also known as the former Auld site in Columbus; where a Phase II environmental assessment must be performed before site clean-up and redevelopment occur; and
WHEREAS, the 4,5,6 -Group LLC is committed to working with the Columbus Department of Development and area residents on a redevelopment plan for the former Auld site; 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 to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Council for redevelopment assistance funding in order to commence the Clean Ohio grant application immediately 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 authorized to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Council for assistance grant funding in the amount of up to $300,000.00 for a Phase II environmental assessment at the former Auld site at 1209 North Fifth Street in Columbus.
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 not vetoes the same.