Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this resolution is to support Thrive Companies and its affiliates in conjunction with an Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program FY2027 grant application of up to $5 million for site cleanup and remediation at the former Buckeye Auto Parts auto salvage and dump along the Scioto River and located at 2474 McKinley Avenue in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.
The 14.65-acre property is comprised of Franklin County parcel identification numbers: 010-104705, 010-104706 and 010-200912 and contains auto salvage and storage facilities. Historical information indicated houses, a quarry and a landfill have previously occupied parts of the property. Buckeye Auto Parts has occupied the property since at least the late 1970s. Ohio EPA records identified the property included the former Huston Landfill (a.k.a. the McKinley Avenue Dump) that accepted municipal, construction and industrial wastes from the 1950s to the 1970s. The City of Columbus owned part of the property used as the landfill.
Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments have been completed on the property and indicate the need to clear and grade the site in order to install a clan soil cover or other engineered controls of the former landfill and junkyard to prevent exposure to hazardous substances and petroleum.
Thrive Companies is proposing this site will be a continuation of Thrive’s Westbend development and will contain approximately 450 new multi-family housing units and connect into a 12+ acre park, open spaces and access launch points to the river, providing a cultivate area for residents and guests to live, work and play in a reclaimed natural setting.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency legislation is necessary in order to meet the Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program FY2027 application deadline of 5:00 p.m., September 11, 2026.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
Title
To support Thrive Companies and its affiliates in their efforts to obtain Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program grant funding for the former Buckeye Auto Parts auto salvage located at 2474 McKinley Avenue; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio's Brownfield Remediation Program awards grant funding of up to $5 million per project statewide for the cleanup, demolition, and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties known as "brownfields"; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has identified a qualifying brownfield property located at 2474 McKinley Avenue, consisting of approximately 14.65 acres and comprised of Franklin County parcels, formerly operated as the Buckeye Auto Parts auto salvage and dump along the Scioto River, which Ohio EPA records confirm once contained the former Huston Landfill (also known as the McKinley Avenue Dump), accepting municipal, construction, and industrial waste from the 1950s through the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, completed Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments indicate the site must be cleared and graded to install a clean soil cover or other engineered controls over the former landfill and junkyard to prevent exposure to hazardous substances and petroleum; and
WHEREAS, Thrive Companies is an eligible lead entity that did not cause or contribute to the contamination of the property and proposes to clean up and redevelop the site to include approximately 450 new multi-family housing units as a continuation of Thrive's Westbend development, connecting into a 12-plus acre park with open spaces and river access points for residents and guests, at no cost to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program grant funding would greatly complement the efforts of the Columbus Department of Development to clean up and redevelop brownfield properties throughout the city, at no cost to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency designation is necessary in order to meet the Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program FY2027 application deadline of 5:00 p.m., September 11, 2026, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That this Council does hereby support Thrive Companies and its affiliates in their efforts to obtain Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation Program grant funding for the purpose of incentivizing the cleanup and redevelopment of the former Buckeye Auto Parts auto salvage site located at 2474 McKinley Avenue.
SECTION 2. That for the reason stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption and approval by the Mayor or ten days after adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.