Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this resolution is to support the Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority, in partnership with Steelton Holdings, LLC, Steelton Holdings II, LLC and Broadleigh Properties, LLC, in conjunction with an Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation round 1 grant application of up to $3 million for site cleanup at three properties on South High Street. The project is known as The Fort. The intent of the remediation projects will be to prepare the properties for future mixed-use development including multi-family residential and commercial.
1981 S. High Street is owned by Steelton Holdings, LLC and contains two parcels; 010-112264-00 and 010-008499-00. Operated as an open dump that contains discarded construction materials including gypsum (drywall). Site remediation will include removal of gypsum and construction debris and backfill with clean soils.
2025 S. High Street is owned by Broadleigh Properties, LLC and contains parcels 010-112349-00, 010-028706-00 and 010-037423-00. The former use of this site was to manufacture vaccines for hogs. Site work will include indoor air monitoring.
2045-2055 S. High Street is owned by Steelton Holdings II, LLC, and contains two parcels; 010-055272-00 and 010-112126-00. This site was the location of Rick’s Custom Towing in the past, the primary contaminants are solvents, semi volatile organic compounds and limited impact from heavy metals. Site remediation will include soil removal and installation of vapor barrier for future multi-family housing development.
All sites will be taken through the Voluntary Action Program with the intent of providing a No Further Action letter and covenant not to sue for each property.
Emergency legislation is necessary in order to meet Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation round 1 grant application deadline of January 31, 2022.
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 the Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority, in partnership with Steelton Holdings, LLC, Broadleigh Properties, LLC and Steelton Holdings II, LLC, in their efforts to obtain Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation grant funding for use in the environmental cleanup and redevelopment of three properties on South High Street; 1981 South High, 2025 South High, and 2045-2055 South High; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Brownfield Remediation grant program will award up to $10 million per project throughout Ohio for the purpose of cleanup, demolition and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties known as “brownfields”; and
WHEREAS, this project, The Fort, is requesting up to $3 million for all three properties; 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 three sites on South High Street, The Fort project; and
WHEREAS, Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments were completed for all three sites and showed that former operations at these sites were an open dump for construction debris, hog vaccine manufacturing, and a towing company that contaminated the site with solvents, semi volatile organic compounds and limited impact from heavy metals; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development 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 January 31, 2022, 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. That the Columbus City Council hereby supports Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority, in partnership with Steelton Holdings, LLC, Broadleigh Properties, LLC and Steelton Holdings II, LLC, in their efforts to obtain Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Remediation round 1 grant funding for the purpose of incentivizing the cleanup and redevelopment of a former open dump and contaminated soils sites.
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.