Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program, in existence since 1981, provides grants to encourage rehabilitation of commercial properties located in designated neighborhood business districts. The "Mile on High" Program was created in 2008 to assist with retail attraction, building revitalization efforts and job creation in the core Downtown Columbus area. The "Mile on High" area is bordered on the north by Vine Street, on the east by 3rd Street with jogs to 4th Street and then returning to 3rd Street, on the south by the inner belt and on the west by Front Street. The area includes some 75 individual structures some of which have multiple store front retail establishments. Many of these structures are vacant and in need of major/minor repair. Currently $83,860 in cash is available for these programs.
This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $83,860.00 for the NCR and Mile on High storefront renovation grants.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to avoid an interruption in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation appropriates and authorizes the expenditure of $83,860.00 to provide funds for storefront renovation grants under the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization and Mile on High Programs.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $83,860.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Urban Development Action Grant Fund to the Department of Development, Economic Development Division; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to make storefront renovation grants under the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization and Mile on High Programs; to authorize the expenditure of $83,860.00 from the Urban Development Action Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($83,860.00)
Body
Whereas, the City of Columbus established the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program in 1981 to encourage the rehabilitation of commercial properties located in designated business districts; and
Whereas, the "Mile on High" Program was created in 2008 to assist with retail attraction, building revitalization efforts and job creation in the core Downtown Columbus area; and
Whereas, $83,860.00 in cash is available for these programs; and
Whereas, it is necessary to appropriate the $83,860.00 for the purpose of making storefront renovation grants; and
Whereas, emergency action is needed to allow the Storefront Renovation Grant Programs to continue uninterrupted; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate and expend said funds, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That from the unallocated monies in the Urban Development Action Grant Fund, Fund 243, Subfund 018 and from any and all sources unallocated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, the sum of $83,860.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5519, OCA Code 446022.
Section 2. That the Director of the Development Department is hereby authorized to expend up to $83,860 from the Urban Development Action Grant Fund for the purpose of making storefront renovation grants under the Economic Development Division, Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization and Mile on High Programs.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $83,860.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Urban Development Action Grant Fund, Fund 243, Subfund 018, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5519, OCA Code 446022, for the aforesaid purpose is hereby authorized.
Section 4. 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 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.