Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Columbus Urban Growth Corporation, formed in 1996, is a private non-profit real estate development organization whose mission is to stimulate economic improvements through commercial, industrial and residential development. Urban Growth redevelopment projects lead to new job opportunities and assist private developers and non-profit organizations with projects within the core central city. Urban Growth is currently working on the following redevelopment projects: Northland Mall Redevelopment Project, West Edge Business Center, Four Corners Redevelopment Project, Taylor Homes Redevelopment Project, the Gowdy Field Redevelopment Project and the South Parsons Redevelopment Project.
This legislation is for administrative costs for the organization to continue the above redevelopment projects.
Emergency action is requested so that the contracts with the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation can be executed immediately. This will allow implementation of the organization's economic development projects to continue uninterrupted and for essential staff to be retained.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$385,750.00 is included in the Department's 2007 budget for the contract with the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation and its affiliated CDC. $172,000 is budgeted within the General Fund and $213,750 is budgeted within the CDBG Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contracts with the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation; to authorize the expenditure of $172,000 from the General Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $213,750 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($385,750.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the development of the central city is an objective of the Department of Development and in the best interest of the City as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation was organized to increase the commercial and industrial development activities and investment in the core city and augments this effort with greater community involvement, a community-based board of trustees, and a mission to ensure comprehensive community building; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to engage the services of the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation to continue their redevelopment activities uninterrupted; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into the contracts with the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of the organization's economic development projects and the retention of essential staff all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contracts, to be effective March 1, 2007, with the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation for the purpose of increasing commercial and industrial development activities, primarily within the core city.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $172,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division No. 44-02, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440314.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $213,750.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division No. 44-02, Fund 248, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337 OCA Code 497023.
Section 4. That these contracts are awarded in accordance with Chapter 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 5. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.