Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding in an amount of up to $750,000 for environmental clean up at the former B&T Metals site at 435 West Town Street in Franklinton.
Pursuant to Ordinance 0390-2006 and Ordinance 0581-2007, the Department of Development applied for and received a $174,803 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Grant to undertake a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the site to determine clean up costs to accommodate a 134 unit condominium development with a small art theatre, restaurant and office with an estimated total investment of approximately $15-20 million. The Phase 2 assessment is now complete and costs have been estimated to be close to $750,000 to remove asbestos and various contaminates, as well as to undertake limited demolition.
The development will be undertaken by Brick Investments of Beverly Hills California.
This legislation authorizes the application and is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio grant application process immediately to insure meeting state datelines.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding. If the application is approved, The City will receive a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Grant from the Ohio Department of Development in the amount of $750,000.00 to apply toward site clean up.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funds of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the former B&T Metals site; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Clean Ohio Program provides environmental assessment and remediation grants to Ohio communities for the purpose of clean up 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 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 developer; Brick Investments, to invest at least $15 million to construct 134 condominium units with an art theatre commercial retail and office components in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding could provide up to $750,000 in clean up costs; 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 for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding in order to commence the Clean Ohio grant process immediately to insure meeting state datelines, 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 for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funds of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the former B&T Metals site.
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.