Explanation
Background: Over the past two years the City has purchased key properties in the area of the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan (Vision Plan) as the first step in revitalization. Properties have been identified for purchase to achieve substantial site control in the focus area between Innis and Barthman. This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into purchase contracts and establishes funds for purchase, closing and predevelopment costs. The Land Redevelopment Office will oversee the purchase of these final properties and possible pre-development activities such as asbestos removal, demolition and utility capping. A plan for redevelopment of the Vision Plan area is being undertaken by City staff and area stakeholders.
Fiscal Impact: $250,000 in appropriation authority is available in the 2008 Capital Improvements Budget under Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund No. 735. This legislation includes an appropriation for an additional $900.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to meet deadlines for closing under the various real estate purchase contracts.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to appropriate $900 in the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into purchase contracts for selected Parsons Avenue properties; to authorize the expenditure of up to $250,900 from the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund for real property purchases and predevelopment costs; and to declare an emergency. ($250,900)
Body
WHEREAS, over the past two years the City of Columbus has purchased key properties in the area of the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan achieving significant site control between Parsons and Washington and Innis and Barthman; and
WHEREAS, owners of the additional key properties have just recently agreed to sell to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Land Redevelopment Office will oversee the purchase of these two properties and the possible predevelopment activities such as asbestos removal, demolition and utility capping; and
WHEREAS, the plan for redevelopment can move forward to completion; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate and expend funds and to enter into said purchase contracts for real property purchases and predevelopment costs in order to meet deadlines for closing under the various real estate purchase contracts, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That from the unappropriated monies in the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund, Fund 735, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, the sum of $900 is appropriated to the Department of Development, Division No. 44-01, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6680, Project 441743, OCA Code 441743.
Section 2. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into purchase contracts and to execute all necessary documents to purchase properties in the area of the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan and to undertake necessary predevelopment activities.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of up to $250,900 from the Development Department, Division 44-01, Fund 735 Northland and Other Acquisitions, Project 441743 Parsons Ave. Acquisitions, OCA Code 441743, Object Level Three 6680 is hereby authorized.
Section 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
Section 5. That for 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.