Explanation
Background:
This ordinance authorizes the transfer of appropriation and expenditure of up to $1,500,000.00 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund 2248 and Subfund 224807 to assist the renovation of 1464 Cleveland Avenue, the former Eagle Market, now owned by NextGen, in order to establish a fresh foods market and second location of the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio. This new community hub will advance implementation of the One Linden Community Plan by providing critical and stable access to healthy fresh food, access to free prescription for low-income and uninsured families and space for ongoing community engagement.
The Director of the Department of Neighborhoods desires to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Next Generation Corporation (Next Gen) and other agreements related to the use and renovation of the building. NextGen will assist with construction management on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods. The Healthy Families Healthy Neighborhoods Realty Collaborative (HNHF) and Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio, will administer all programming. HNHF has committed over $300,000.00 for design work as well to purchase fixtures and furniture for the fresh foods market and Charitable Pharmacy. Next Gen is contributing nearly $130,000.00 towards construction costs. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective will serve as the primary source of the food that will be distributed through the fresh foods market.
This project will help to address health disparities in the community and advance the One Linden Community Plan’s Support Resident Health Big Idea. This investment will also support additional community investment on Cleveland Avenue by revitalizing a property that had previously been designated a public nuisance due to drug sales and liquor law violations.
Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact associated with the execution of the contract is in the amount of $1,500,000.00 to come from Fund 2248 Subfund 224807 Community Development Block Grants.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for the immediate execution of this contract in order to advance community plan implementation and begin construction as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Next Generation Corporation (NextGen) for construction costs associated with the renovation of the building at 1464 Cleveland Avenue, the former Eagle Market, to establish a fresh foods market and Charitable Pharmacy location; and to authorize the Director to execute other agreements with NextGen that are deemed necessary for the renovation and use of the building; to authorize the transfer of appropriation and expenditure of $1,500,000.00 from the Community Development Block Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City is supportive of the Linden Community and wishes to expand programs and services to better serve the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the City commissioned a comprehensive community plan in an effort to revitalize the Linden community; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods desires to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Next Generation Corporation (Next Gen) and other agreements related to the use and renovation of the building at 1464 Cleveland Ave; and
WHEREAS, NextGen will assist with construction management on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Healthy Families Healthy Neighborhoods Realty Collaborative (HNHF) and Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio, will administer all programming; and
WHEREAS, through this project the One Linden plan will be advanced, and will serve the community by providing critical and stable access to healthy, fresh food; access to free prescriptions for low-income, uninsured families through the Charitable Pharmacy; and will serve as a space for ongoing community engagement; and
WHEREAS, in responding to the call to action to community partners, Columbus Next Generation Corporation and HNHF Realty Collaborative have executed a lease agreement for lease for 1464 Cleveland Ave. to fulfill this initiative; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into contract with Columbus Next Generation Corporation to expedite construction, thereby advancing the public health, and welfare; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the transfer of appropriation and expenditure of Community Development Block Grant funds from this authorization will be for the provision of the renovation of 1464 Cleveland Avenue to establish a fresh foods market and Charitable Pharmacy location of in Linden by Columbus Next Generation Corporation.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Neighborhoods be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a grant agreement for construction costs related to the renovation of the building at 1464 Cleveland Ave, and other necessary agreements relating to renovation and use thereof, with the Columbus Next Generation Corporation, and to expend $1,500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2248 and Subfund 224807 in object class 06, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modification associated with this ordinance.
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 its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.