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 $300,000.00. The requested funding will be used to fund a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the former B & T Metals site at 435 W. Town Street in Franklinton.
The former B & T Metals site is located at 435 W. Town Street in Franklinton. The site, which has been vacant for a number of years, was formerly a manufacturing facility. It was acquired by Brick Investments in 2005, where the company plans to clean up the site and invest approximately $15-20 million to develop 134 condominium units with a small arts theatre, restaurant and office space.
With input from Franklinton area residents the site received a zoning variance in January 2006, to accommodate the proposed development. To proceed with the development, a Phase 2 environmental assessment will be required to determine the extent and total cost of clean up required before actual clean up and construction can begin. Brick Investments has retained Hull and Associates to conduct the Phase 2 environmental assessment. This legislation authorizes the application for state grant funding.
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 $300,000.00 for the purpose of
conducting a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the former B & T Metals 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 $300,000 for a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the former B & T Metals property in Franklinton; 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 435 W. Town Street in Franklinton where a Phase 2 environmental assessment will be required; and
WHEREAS, Brick Investments intends to clean up and develop the 435 W. Town Street site investing approximately $15-20 million to construct 134 condominium units, an arts theatre, restaurant and office 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 $300,000.00 for a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the former B & T Metals property in Franklinton.
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.