Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Columbus Department of
Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Council, for redevelopment emergency
assistance funding in an amount up to $750,000.00. The requested funding will be used for asbestos removal, demolition
and other eligible costs associated with the Casto Communities Broad and High Project in Downtown Columbus.
The Broad and High Project is a new, major mixed use project, at the historic corner of Broad and High Streets, which will transform this area into an exciting and dynamic hub of activity. Site demolition and clean-up are necessary as the first steps in this redevelopment.
This legislation and the associated emergency assistance grant application does not subject the City to liability for any site contamination which may exist at or near the Broad and High site.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio emergency
assistance grant funding. If the application is approved by the State, the City of Columbus will receive up to $750,000.00
for asbestos removal, demolition and other eligible cost at the Broad and High site.
EMERGENCY
JUSTIFICATION: This legislation is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio emergency grant
application immediately.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Council for emergency assistance grant funding in an amount of up to $750,000.00 for asbestos removal, demolition and other eligible costs for the Casto Communities Broad and High Project; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Clean Ohio Program will award $40 million per year, for five years, to communities throughout Ohio for the purpose of clean-up and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties know as "brownfields"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus contains brownfield properties which may qualify for Clean Ohio clean-up 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 Brownfield 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 clean-up and redevelop brownfield properties in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has identified a brownfield property, which may be eligible for the Clean Ohio emergency grant assistance fund, at Broad and High, where asbestos removal, demolition and other eligible cost will be required to prepare for site redevelopment; and
WHEREAS, Casto Communities intends to redevelop the Broad and High site into residential, office and retail space; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Council, for redevelopment emergency assistance funding, 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 authorized to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Council for emergency assistance grant funding in the amount of up to $750,000.00 for asbestos removal, demolition and other eligible costs for the Casto Communities Broad and High project.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the 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.