Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant of up to $3 million, to receive and administer the grant to clean and redevelop the former Kimball Midwest site at 580-582 West Goodale Blvd. and to authorize its development partner; the Wagenbrenner Development Company, to apply the grant funding toward the environmental clean up work at the project site to prepare for redevelopment.
Pursuant to Ordinance 1455-2007, passed by Columbus City Council on September 24, 2007, the Department of Development applied for, and was awarded, a Clean Ohio grant of $102,000 from the Ohio Department of Development to perform a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the Kimball Midwest site at 580 West Goodale Blvd. in Columbus. (The Phase 2 environmental assessment was complete during the second quarter of 2009.)
On July 13, 2009, Columbus City Council Ordinance 0996-2009 authorized the Columbus Department of Development to apply for a $750,000 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to clean and redevelop the site in partnership with JDS Goodale, LLC, but the application was not submitted as JDS decided not to go forward with its proposed project at the Kimball-Midwest site.
Subsequently, Wagenbrenner Development Company acquired control of the site and wishes to invest approximately $9 million to construct 90 market rate apartment units utilizing LEED standards for the renovation of the existing structure or new construction. Wagenbrenner also proposes to grant an easement to the City, along Goodale Blvd., for the extension of the Olentangy bike path and proposed pedestrian bridge over the Olentangy River.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to begin the application process as soon as possible in order to meet the State's deadline for application submittal.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation. There is no cost to the City of Columbus to apply for the grant.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement of understanding with the Wagenbrenner Development Company and to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant of up to $3 million for the environmental clean up and redevelopment of the Kimball-Midwest site at 580-582 West Goodale Blvd. in Columbus; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus contains brownfield properties which may qualify for Clean Ohio clean up and redevelopment grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has been involved with brownfield redevelopment since 1996 through its administration of the Columbus Brownfield Redevelopment Program and its associated task force; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding is available for environmental clean up and will greatly compliment the efforts of the Department of Development in helping to clean up and redevelop brownfield properties in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development has identified a brownfield property, which is eligible for Clean Ohio grant funds, at the Kimball-Midwest site, 580-582 West Goodale Blvd., where environmental clean up is required before redevelopment can occur; and
WHEREAS, Kimball-Midwest site owner and developer; the Wagenbrenner Development Company, intends to clean and redevelop the site with residential units investing approximately $9 million; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to apply for Clean Ohio grant funding for the Kimball-Midwest site in order to meet the State's deadline for application submittal, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement of understanding with the Wagenbrenner Development Company and apply for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant, of up to $3 million, to the Ohio Department of Development, for the environmental clean up and redevelopment of the Kimball-Midwest site at 580-582 West Goodale Blvd. in Columbus.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the 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.