Explanation
BACKGROUND: On April 23, 2026, City Council passed Ordinance 1112-2026 and a working group was established to develop plans to fulfill the expanded recreation and park opportunities and therapeutic recreation concepts originally envisioned for McCoy Park. As part of this working group, the Department of Development, Real Estate and Land Redevelopment Office, has been tasked with identifying, locating and securing property throughout Columbus’ southwest side for parkland, recreational facilities, storm water basins and other associated needs, on behalf of Columbus Recreation and Parks, the Department of Public Utilities or others. This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of Columbus Recreation and Parks, to approve the Real Estate Purchase Contract and appropriate and expend funds for the purchase and the related due diligence and closing expenses for the acquisition of the property located at 1595 Brown Road, Columbus, Ohio and being identified as Franklin County Parcel Number 040-00745 which shall be incorporated into the design and development of the existing City-owned Greenleaf Park.
EMERGENCY: An emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize these contracts, appropriations, and expenditures so that closing timelines within the Purchase Contract may be met, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $100,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund (CDBG) 2248 ($100,000.00).
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management, or authorized signatory, to approve the Real Estate Purchase Contract and appropriate and expend $100,000.00, or so much as may be necessary, within the Community Development Block Fund (CDBG) for acquisition cost and related due diligence and closing expense for the property located at 1595 Brown Road, Columbus, Ohio in support of the mission established by Ordinance 1112-2026; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1112-2026, passed by City Council on April 23, 2026, authorized the creation of a working group to develop plans to fulfill the expanded recreation and park opportunities and therapeutic recreation concepts originally envisioned for McCoy Park; and
WHEREAS, as part of this working group, the Department of Development, Real Estate and Land Redevelopment Office, has been tasked with identifying, locating and securing property throughout Columbus’ southwest side for parkland, recreational facilities, storm water basins and other associated needs on behalf of Columbus Recreation and Parks, the Department of Public Utilities or others; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition property is adjacent to the existing City-owned Greenleaf Park and will be incorporated into its design and development; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management, or authorized signatory, to approve the Real Estate Purchase Contract and appropriate and expend $100,000.00, or so much as may be necessary, for acquisition cost and related due diligence and closing expense for the property located at 1595 Brown Road, Columbus, Ohio to fulfill those missions authorized by ordinance 1112-2026; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is the recipient of Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council has approved the 2025 Action Plan per Ordinance 2968-2024; and
WHEREAS, funds associated with the property acquisition, related due diligence and closing costs shall be appropriated and expended through the Community Development Block Grant Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management, or authorized signatory, the approve the Real Estate Purchase Contract for 1595 Brown Road, Columbus, Ohio and appropriate and expend funds for the acquisition, due diligence expenses and closing costs in order to meet the terms on the Contract, thereby preserving the 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 Finance and Management, hereby approves the Real Estate Purchase Contracts, on behalf of Columbus Recreation and Parks, to acquire the property located at 1595 Brown Road, Columbus, Ohio.
SECTION 2.
That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this Ordinance were awarded by the Grants Management Office and the appropriation and expenditure of $100,000.00 is authorized within the 2025 CDBG Fund-Subfund 2248-224812 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 nor vetoes the same.