Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to give the Director of the Department of Development the authority to enter into an agreement of understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, Inc. in conjunction with a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund Round 7 grant application, of up to $3 million, and to authorize the application the Department of Development intends to submit to the Ohio Department of Development for site cleanup at the former 3M site (aka, former Auld site) at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus. An agreement of understanding, along with this ordinance, is required for the application of Clean Ohio grant funds.
The former 3M site was used for metal finishing operations from 1920 to 2000 when operations closed. It has remained vacant since 2000 and, since that time, has been a blighting influence in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus.
The site consists of vacant industrial buildings on 3.4 acres. It was recently acquired by Wagenbrenner Development, Inc. who plans to invest approximately $24 million to clean the site and construct a mixed use development of approximately 110 residential units with street level commercial space, which is consistent with the Weiland Park Development Plan.
Remediation activities will involve demolition and asbestos removal on site along with removal of various chemical contaminants.
The agreement of understanding sets forth the essential roles of both the developer and the Department of Development in undertaking site cleanup and subsequent redevelopment. The agreement of understanding does not subject the City to liability for any site contamination, which may exist at or near the redevelopment site.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to meet the Clean Ohio Program Round 7 grant application deadline of July 20, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio Round 7 grant funding. If the application is approved by the State, the City of Columbus will receive up to $3 million in grant funding for environmental clean up at this site.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement of understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, Inc. in conjunction with a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund Round 7 grant application of up to $3 million and to authorize the application the Columbus Department of Development plans to submit to the Ohio Department of Development for site clean up at the former 3M site at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio, Clean Ohio Program will award up to $3 million per project to communities throughout Ohio for the purpose of cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties known as "brownfields"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus contains brownfield properties which may qualify for Clean Ohio cleanup and redevelopment grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has been involved with brownfield redevelopment since 1999 through its administration of the Columbus Brownfields Redevelopment Program and its associated task force; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding will greatly complement the efforts of the Columbus Department of Development in helping to cleanup and redevelop brownfield properties in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has identified a brownfield property which may be eligible for Clean Ohio Program Round 7 grant funding at the site formerly known as the 3M site in Weinland Park and Wagenbrenner Development, Inc. has agreed to partner with the City to clean up and redevelop the site for commercial and residential use; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of City Council in that it is immediately necessary to express its support for the application described herein in order to meet the Clean Ohio Program Round 7 grant application deadline of July 20, 2009, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Columbus Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement of understanding with Wagenbrenner Development, Inc. for the redevelopment of the former 3M site at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus and is authorized to submit an associated application for Round 7 grant funding, of up to $3 million, to the Ohio Department of Development for cleanup at the site under the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund Program.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is 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.