Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Assistance Fund, for redevelopment emergency assistance funding in an amount up to $750,000.00. The requested funding will be used for asbestos removal within the Lazarus Building situated at High, Town, Front and State Streets in downtown Columbus.
The Lazarus Building is a well-known Columbus landmark and is an "anchor" development being undertaken by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) on behalf of the City to revitalize the core of downtown. The building will be redeveloped by CDDC for both governmental and private uses. Its renovation will be a catalyst project for the future development of the City's RiverSouth District.
The legislation and the associated grant application does not subject the City to liability for any site contamination, which may exist at or near the Lazarus Building.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio emergency assistance grant funding. If the application is approved by the State, the City of Columbus will receive up to $750,000.00 for asbestos removal and other eligible costs for work within the Lazarus Building.
EMERGENCY
JUSTIFICATION: This legislation is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio emergency grant application immediately.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Assistance Fund, for emergency assistance grant funding in an amount up to $750,000.00 for asbestos removal and other eligible costs within the Lazarus Building situated at High, Town, Front and State Streets in downtown Columbus; 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 the Lazarus Building as a brownfield property, which may be eligible for the Clean Ohio emergency grant assistance fund where asbestos removal, demolition and other eligible cost will be required to prepare for site redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, the Lazarus Building is a contributing historic structure in downtown's urban fabric and is a well-known Columbus landmark; and
WHEREAS, CDDC, a not-for-profit corporation formed as a public-private partnership to direct the redevelopment of the RiverSouth District, intends to redevelop the Lazarus Building into a mixed-use facility containing governmental and private uses; 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 emergency assistance funding in order to commence the Clean Ohio emergency 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 Assistance Fund, for emergency assistance grant funding in the amount of up to $750,000.00 for asbestos removal and other eligible costs for the Lazarus Building project.
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.