Explanation
This legislation authorizes the amendment of Ordinance No. 3429-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on December 15, 2025 and this amendment is to specify that funding for East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. be provided up front rather than on a reimbursement basis.
Murals on Main is a public art and beautification initiative dedicated to transforming East Main St. into a vibrant corridor of creativity and community pride. In partnership with the East Main Street SID, the program invites local artists to design and install large scale murals that reflect the diverse culture, history and spirit of the neighborhoods along East Main St.
As part of the LinkUS corridor, Murals on Main celebrates the power of art to energize public spaces, foster local identity, and spark inclusive revitalization. Through visual storytelling, the program brings color to the streetscape, supports local creatives and inspires residents and visitors alike.
The East Main Street Special Improvement District (SID) provides a variety of services to East Main Street residents and businesses, focused on keeping the corridor clean and safe. These funds may support services or goods associated with the beautification of this area and the corridor.
The goal of this project is to contribute to a vibrant environment that fosters community pride and ownership among local residents.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds have already been appropriated from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: Ordinance 3429-2025 was meant to provide up-front funding for East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. so installation of murals could begin as soon as possible.
Title
To amend Ordinance 3429-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on December 15, 2025, to specify that funding for East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. is to be provided up front in support of their Murals on Main Program; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3429-2025 authorized the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. in support of the Murals on Main Program; and
WHEREAS, Support for East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. was intended to be provided up front rather than on a reimbursement basis; and
WHEREAS, An emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of the Clerk insofar as East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. has already begun installation of murals as part of their Murals on Main Program, thereby causing them to incur expenses for which they depend upon promised financial support from the City of Columbus, 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. That the City Clerk is authorized to provide up-front funding to East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. in support of their Murals on Main Program.
SECTION 2. That the title of Ordinance 3429-2025 be amended as follows with additions underlined and deletions struck through:
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. in to provide up-front financial support of for the Murals on Main project; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $30,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,000.00)
SECTION 3. That the existing title of Ordinance 3429-2025 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. That Section 1 of Ordinance 3429-2025 be amended as follows with additions underlined and deletions struck through:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with East Main Street Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. in to provide up-front financial support of for the Murals on Main project in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00.
SECTION 5. That the existing Section 1 of Ordinance 3429-2025 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. 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.