Explanation
BACKGROUND: 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.
One goal of the "Mile on High" Program is to attract retail businesses to the Downtown core. In order to accomplish this goal the Economic Development Division is creating a Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program to encourage rehabilitation of commercial properties located in the "Mile on High" area. Retail businesses will be eligible to receive a grant to assist in the rehabilitation of the building façade.
This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $100,000 from the Urban Site Acquisition Fund to provide funds for the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant under the "Mile on High" Program.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency measure to allow "Mile on High" retail businesses to take advantage of the grant program in a timely manner. Thirty-day legislation would delay the implementation of the grant program until March of 2010.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $100,000 for the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program will come from the Urban Site Acquisition Fund. This legislation will authorize the transfer, appropriation and expenditure of funds.
Title
To authorize the transfer of $100,000 between subfunds within the Urban Site Acquisition Loan Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $100,000 within the Urban Site Acquisition Loan Fund to the Department of Development; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000 from the Urban Site Acquisition Loan Fund for the purpose of making downtown façade grants under the Economic Development Division; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000)
Body
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, 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; and
WHEREAS, in order to attract retail businesses the Economic Development Division is creating a Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program to encourage rehabilitation of commercial properties located in the "Mile on High" area; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program will assist with the business attraction and rehabilitation efforts thereby creating jobs in the "Mile on High" area; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow "Mile on High" retail businesses to take advantage of the grant program in a timely manner. Thirty-day legislation would delay the implementation of the grant program until March of 2010; 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 for the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program, all for the immediate 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. The City Auditor is hereby authorized to establish a subfund within the Urban Site Acquisition Fund, Fund 292, to provide for "Mile on High Downtown Façade Improvement Program" grants in the downtown district.
Section 2. The City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer $100,000 in cash from the Urban Site Acquisition Fund, Fund 292, subfund 003 to the subfund created by Section 1 of this ordinance.
Section 3. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to appropriate $100,000 for the Urban Site Acquisition Loan Fund, Fund 292, to the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5519 for the Downtown Façade Improvement Grants for the "Mile on High" district in Downtown Columbus.
OCA Codes and subfund numbers will be issued by the City Auditor upon establishment of the subfund.
Section 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $100,000 or so much as may be necessary be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Urban Site Acquisition Loan Fund, Fund 292, Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5519.
OCA Codes and subfund numbers will be issued by the City Auditor upon establishment of the subfund.
Section 5. That for the reason 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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.