Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) in an amount up to $1,400,000.00 in support of the design and construction of the community pocket park which is a part of the Center for Creative Collaboration.
The Columbus College of Art and Design, (CCAD), founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School, is one of the oldest and largest private art and design colleges in the United States. CCAD has been working diligently to build its present in the business and arts community.
The Center for Creative Collaboration at Columbus College of Art and Design is a planned 30,000 square feet, $15,000,000.00 facility that is poised to become the new hub for creativity and innovation in Central Ohio. The project will include a public plaza and urban pocket park at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Gay Street. The new park will serve as a community park available to the public.
The new downtown greenspace will be in the heart of the Discovery District and will be easily accessible to residents, workers and tourist visiting nearby attractions such as the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Park.
Emergency Designation: An emergency exists as the payment per the commitment is due and is necessary for the improvement and expansion of the CCAD construction schedule.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $1,400,000.00 are available for this project in the Development Taxable Bonds Fund 7739 within the Department of Development.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 004353 and contract compliance expires on 04/29/2026.
Title
To amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter a grant agreement in an amount up to $1,400,000.00 with the Columbus College of Art and Design in support of design and construction of the community pocket park which is a part of the Center for Creative Collaboration; to authorize the expenditure of $1,400,000.00 within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to advance funding on a predetermined schedule; to authorize expenditures prior to the approval of the purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($1,400,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Center for Creative Collaboration at the Columbus College of Art and Design is a planned 30,000 square feet, $15,000,000.00 facility that is poised to become the new hub for creativity and innovation in Central Ohio. The project will include a public plaza and urban pocket park at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Gay Street. The new park will serve as a community park available to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus College of Art and Design, (CCAD), founded in 1879 as the Columbus Art School, is one of the oldest and largest private art and design colleges in the United States. CCAD has been working diligently to build its present in the business and arts community; and
WHEREAS, the new downtown greenspace will be in the heart of the Discovery District and will be easily accessible to residents, workers and tourist visiting nearby attractions such as the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Topiary Park; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Creative Collaboration at the Columbus College of Art and Design will add to the vibrancy and growth and development of Downtown Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus would like to support the Center for Creative Collaboration at the Columbus College of Art and Design, in an amount up to $1,4000,000.00, to design and construct the community pocket park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer between projects and the expenditure within the Development Taxable Bond Fund in an amount up to $1,400,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting January 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to also authorize advanced payments, to be determined per a pre-determined schedule to the contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director enter into a capital contribution agreement for facility renovations and to submit the payment to the Columbus College of Art and Design for the facility as the payment per the commitment is due and is necessary for the improvement and expansion which will continue to serve the Columbus area; all for the immediate 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 the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a grant agreement, in an amount up to $1,400,000.00, with Columbus College of Art and Design, for property renovations to be used for mental health, and substance use disorder outpatient treatment. This agreement will also allow for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the purchase order, beginning January 1, 2025 and authorize advanced funding per a pre-determined schedule.
SECTION 2. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /Amended
7739 / P531080-100002 / LinkUS - Property Acquisition (Unvoted Carryover) /$1,150,000.00 / ($1,150,000.00) / $0.00
7739 / P200025-100000 / Accessory Dwelling Units (Unvoted Carryover) /$950,000.00 / ($250,000.00) / $700,000.00
7739 / P441789-100000 / CCAD Discovery District Community Green Space / $0 / $1,400,000.00 / $1,400,000.00
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /Amended
7739 / P441789-100000 / CCAD Discovery District Community Green Space (Councilmanic ITSA Supported) / $1,400,000.00 /($1,400,000.00) / $0
7739 / P531080-100002 / LinkUS - Property Acquisition (Councilmanic ITSA Supported)/$3,000,000.00 / $1,150,000.00 / $4,150,000.00
7739 / P200025-100000 / Accessory Dwelling Units /$700,000.00 / $250,000.00/ $950,000.00
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $1,400,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7739 Development Taxable Bonds per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. The expenditure of $1,400,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bonds Fund), in Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P441789-100000 (CCAD Discovery District Community Green Space), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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.