Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Director of the Department of Development is proposing a Downtown Office Incentive Agreement with WSA Studio (Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.).
Founded in 1970, WSA Studio is located in Columbus, OH and Chicago, IL and has been committed to design spaces for the modern needs of work and learning. By integrating architecture, interior design and environmental graphic design, we help our clients achieve their business goals. WSA Studio strongly believes that an environment should engage people, propel growth, and drive profit; with their unique process is rooted in deep research. Partnering with clients to uncover rich data which allows design strategists to generate key insights that inform tailored criteria. Those insights are infused into the environment to measurably meet strategic goals and align physical space with organizational values. All together WSA Studio creates flexible spaces that anticipate change and drive greater efficiency, engagement, and productivity.
WSA Studio is proposing to expand from their current location and establish a new location in a 9,000 square foot downtown office space located at 235 N. 4th Street, Columbus, OH 43215, parcel number 010-001756 (“Project Site”), to expand and grow further into the Columbus market. Additionally, the company will create twenty (20) net new full-time permanent positions with an associated estimated annual payroll of approximately $1,700,000.00, and retain and relocate twenty-four (24) full-time permanent positions with an estimated associated payroll of approximately $2,074,876.00 at the Project Site.
WSA Studio is requesting a Downtown Office Incentive from the City of Columbus to assist in the relocation and expansion of their Columbus location.
This legislation is presented as 30-day legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Downtown Office Incentive Agreement with WSA Studio (Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.) for a term of up to five (5) consecutive years in the consideration of twenty (20) net new full-time permanent positions with an estimated associated payroll of approximately $1,700,000.00 and the retention and relocation of twenty-four (24) full-time permanent positions with an estimated associated annual payroll of approximately $2,074,876.00 as provided in Columbus City Council Resolution Number 0088X-2007, adopted June 4, 2007. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City desires to increase employment opportunities and encourage the creation of new jobs in the City in order to improve overall economic climate of the City and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Resolution Number 0088X-2007, adopted June 4, 2007, authorized the Department of Development to establish the Columbus Downtown Office Incentive program as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development has received a completed application for the Downtown
Office Incentive program from WSA Studio (Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.); and
WHEREAS, founded in 1970, WSA Studio is located in Columbus, OH and Chicago, IL and has been committed to design spaces for the modern needs of work and learning. By integrating architecture, interior design and environmental graphic design, we help our clients achieve their business goals. WSA Studio strongly believes that an environment should engage people, propel growth, and drive profit; with their unique process is rooted in deep research. Partnering with clients to uncover rich data which allows design strategists to generate key insights that inform tailored criteria. Those insights are infused into the environment to measurably meet strategic goals and align physical space with organizational values. All together WSA Studio creates flexible spaces that anticipate change and drive greater efficiency, engagement, and productivity; and
WHEREAS, WSA Studio is proposing to expand from their current location and establish a new location in an 9,000 square foot downtown office space located at 235 N. 4th Street, Columbus, OH 43215, parcel number 010-001756 (“Project Site”), to expand and grow further in Downtown Columbus; and
WHEREAS, with this expansion, WSA Studio will create twenty (20) net new full-time permanent positions with an associated estimated annual payroll of approximately $1,700,000.00, and retain and relocate twenty-four (24) full-time permanent positions with an estimated associated payroll of approximately $2,074,876.00 at the Project Site; and
WHEREAS, WSA Studio has indicated that a Downtown Office Incentive is crucial to its decision to expand and relocate operations within City of Columbus Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus desires to facilitate the future growth of WSA Studio at the Project Site by providing a Downtown Office Incentive,
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a City of Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement with WSA Studio ((Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.) pursuant to Columbus City Council Resolution Number 0088X-2007, for an annual cash payment equal to fifty percent (50%) of the amount of City withholding tax withheld on new employees for a term up to five (5) consecutive years on the estimated job creation of twenty (20) net new full-time permanent positions with an associated estimated annual payroll of approximately $1,700,000.00, and retain and relocate twenty-four (24) full-time permanent positions with an estimated associated payroll of approximately $2,074,876.00 at the Project Site.
SECTION 2. That for each year of the term of the agreement with WSA Studio (Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.) the City’s obligation to pay the incentive is expressly contingent upon the passage of an ordinance appropriating and authorizing the expenditure of monies sufficient to make such payment and the certification of the City Auditor pursuant to Section 159 of the Columbus City Charter.
SECTION 3. That the City of Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement must be signed by WSA Studio ((Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.) within 90 days of passage of this ordinance, or this ordinance and the credit herein shall be null and void.
SECTION 4. That City Council hereby extends authority to the Director of the Department of Development to amend the WSA Studio (Wandel & Schnell Architects, Inc.) City of Columbus Downtown Office Incentive Agreement for certain modifications to the agreement requesting in writing by the company and/or the City and deemed appropriate by the Director of Development with these certain modifications being specifically limited to reductions in length of term, methods of calculating the incentive, or adding or deleting business entities associated with the employment commitments related to this incentive. All other requested amendments must be approved by City Council.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.