Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the amendment to Ordinance No. 0377-2025, passed by City Council on March 24, 2025, to correctly reflect that the modification authorized applies to the contract with Ground Floor Growth LLC, a disregarded entity of Columbus Downtown Development Corp.
Downtown Ground Floor Growth Initiative (Program) (formally called the Downtown Commercial Marketplace Program) is a small business program that seeks to achieve multiple goals through one comprehensive program. The Program includes:
• Providing downtown storefront space for small, local businesses who are oriented towards walk in customers (such as retail or restaurant businesses).
• Providing a master lease holder to: 1) sublease to small, local businesses in a way that promotes their growth and gives them a safe place to land, and 2) rent vacant properties downtown and guarantee stability for the property owners of those spaces.
• Providing technical assistance to the Program participants so that the businesses renting the downtown storefronts can grow and succeed.
This Program is designed to decrease vacancy downtown; promote small, local businesses; and promote the amenities of downtown as a neighborhood for Columbus residents living and working inside and outside of downtown. Ground Floor Growth, LLC, whose sole member is the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC), will administer the master lease component of the program. The City does not have the human resources to administer the program through existing staffing.
Further, this amendment seeks to declare an emergency to ensure that there are no delays in the continuation of the program, which includes the second round of the program which cannot be completed without additional funding.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Columbus Downtown Development Corporation’s vendor number is 004795 and expires on 12/10/2026. This contract will be entered into with Ground Floor Growth LLC with payment issued to Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. The disregarded entity is listed within the vendor account.
Title
To amend Ordinance No. 0377-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on March 24, 2025 to correctly reflect that the modification authorized applies to the contract with Ground Floor Growth LLC, a disregarded entity of Columbus Downtown Development Corp; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development the Director of Development seeks to modify a contract with Ground Floor Growth LLC; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0377-2025, passed by City Council on March 24, 2025 authorized the contract modification with Columbus Downtown Development Corp, the parent organization of Ground Floor Growth LLC; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to Ordinance No. 0377-2025 to correctly identify Ground Floor Growth LLC as the contracting entity, still referencing Columbus Downtown Development Corporation’s vendor number for contract compliance and payment; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Department, in that it is immediately necessary to amend Ordinance No. 0377-2025 to execute the planned contract modification in a timely and effective manner, to promote job creation and economic development for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, peace, and property; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the title of Ordinance No. 0377-2025 be amended as follows:
To authorize the Director of Development to modify the agreement with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation Ground Floor Growth LLC, a disregarded entity of Columbus Downtown Development Corp, for the Downtown Ground Floor Growth Initiative program in order to add $500,000.00 to the agreement to continue the work outlined in the scope of work in that agreement; to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00 from the 2025 General Fund budget; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
SECTION 2. That Section 1 of Ordinance No. 0377-2025 be repealed and replaced as follows. Any information in the background/explanation and recital sections of Ordinance No. 0377-2025 that contradict the new text below shall be superseded by the new text contained in this amendment:
That the Director of Development be and is hereby authorized to modify a contract, in an amount up to $500,000.00, with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, Ground Floor Growth LLC, a disregarded entity of Columbus Downtown Development Corp, for the Downtown Ground Floor Growth Initiative program.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.