Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
Built in 1927 the LeVeque Tower is undergoing a complete rehabilitation of the interior for commercial, office, and residential uses as well as exterior repair work of the terracotta. The $27.6 million dollar renovation will reposition the building in today's marketplace with added living units to a growing residential market. To complement the building renovation the City's Development Department has committed up to $2,000,000.00 for streetscape improvements on Broad Street, Front Street and the adjacent alleys.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into maximum cost reimbursement agreements with Tower 10 LLC for the design and construction of Streetscape Improvements to on Broad Street, Front Street and the adjacent alleys.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
$2,000,000 is available in the 2012 Capital Improvement Budget. The C.I.B. must be amended and funds must be transferred to the appropriate project to provide sufficient authority for this project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so that construction can start according to schedule.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service on behalf of the Department of Development to enter into a reimbursement agreement with Tower 10 LLC for the Streetscape Improvements associated with the renovation of the LeVeque Tower; to waive the formal consultant selection process provisions of the City Code; to amend the 2012 C.I.B; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of funds within the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The LeVeque Tower has been an iconic landmark to downtown Columbus since its construction in 1927; and
WHEREAS, The LeVeque Tower has been recently purchased by Tower 10 LLC who will renovate the interior of the structure as well as construct improvements to the surrounding streetscape for a total investment of $27.6 million; and
WHEREAS, To reposition the building in today's marketplace this project proposes a change of use to portions of the building to create apartments, to upgrade and improve office space and supporting amenity spaces for all tenants; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Development has committed up to $2,000,000.00 for streetscape improvements to Broad Street, Front Street and the adjacent alleys; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the formal consultant selection process provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Design and Construction in that the funding should be authorized immediately to perform necessary construction and rehabilitation to City curbs and curb ramps to maintain the highest level of pedestrian access and safety, 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 2012 Capital Improvement Budget, as authorized in Ordinance 0368-2012, be amended to provide sufficient authority for this project as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current C.I.B. / Amendment Amount / Amended C.I.B.
704 / 530058-100005 / NCR-TBD (Carryover) / $2,276,938.00 / -$2,000,000.00 / $276,938.00
704 / 530801-100004 / Downtown Streetscape - LeVeque (Carryover) / $0 / +$2,000,000 / $2,000,000
SECTION 2. That the transfer of cash and appropriation within Fund 704, The Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund be authorized as follows:
Transfer from:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 530058-100005 / NCR-TBD / 06-6680 / 745805 / $2,000,000
Transfer to:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 530801-100004 / Downtown Streetscape - LeVeque / 06-6680 / 780104 / $2,000,000
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be authorized to enter into maximum cost reimbursement agreements up to $2,000,000.00 with Tower 10 LLC for streetscape improvements around the LeVeque Tower.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 3, the expenditure of up to $2,000,000 from the Development Department, Division No. 44-01, Fund No. 704, Project No. 530801-100004 Downtown Streetscape - LeVeque, OCA Code 780104, Object Level 3 - 6680 is hereby authorized.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the formal consultant selection process provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code be and hereby are waived.
SECTION 7. That for 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.