Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this resolution is to support Franklin County, in partnership with Woda Cooper Companies, Inc., in conjunction with an Ohio Department of Development Fiscal Year 2026 Brownfield Remediation Program grant application of up to $1 million for remediation and selective demolition of the downtown YMCA site at 40 West Long Street in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio to make it operational for economic development activity. The .81 acre site at 40 West Long Street underwent a Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessment as well as an asbestos survey.
The .81 acre property consists of one large parcel, 010-067063 with one existing vacant historic building (the downtown YMCA). The Developer is proposing to adaptive reuse the existing building by converting the vacant structure into affordable housing.
Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. is redeveloping the site with 121 affordable apartment units. The project is estimated to have a value of $65,000,000 when completed. Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. is moving forward with the project.
Emergency action is necessary in order to meet Ohio Department of Development Fiscal Year 2026 Brownfield Remediation Program grant application deadline of December 5, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with a resolution of support for the Brownfield Remediation Program grant funding,
Title
To resolve to support Franklin County, in partnership with Woda Cooper Companies, Inc., in their efforts to obtain Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation grant funding for remediation and selective demolition of the 40 West Long Street Brownfield site, and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Brownfield Remediation grant program will award up to $1 million per project throughout Ohio for the purpose of cleanup, demolition and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties known as “brownfields”; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus contains brownfield properties which may qualify for Brownfield Remediation cleanup, demolition and redevelopment grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has been involved with brownfield redevelopment since 1999, first with the Clean Ohio grant program and now with the Ohio Brownfield Remediation grant program; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Brownfield Remediation 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 in the City of Columbus which may be eligible for Ohio Brownfield Remediation grant funding at 40 West Long Street, and Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. has agreed to partner with Franklin County to clean up and redevelop the site with residential uses; 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 to meet the Ohio Brownfield Remediation grant application deadline of December 5, 2025, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. The Columbus City Council hereby supports Franklin County, in partnership with Woda Cooper Companies, Inc., in their efforts to obtain Ohio Department of Development Fiscal Year 2026 Brownfield Remediation Program grant application for remediation and selective demolition of the downtown YMCA site at 40 West Long Street in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio to make it operational for economic development activity.
Section 2. That for the reason stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is hereby 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.