Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation is to request that Council approves the Petition and the Articles of Incorporation (attached) of the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., an Ohio not-for-profit corporation.
Chapter 1710 of the Ohio Revised Code, effective September 29, 1994, provides for the creation of Special Improvement Districts, by non-profit corporations governed by trustees elected by the property owners for the provision of special services in a designated district.
The property owners have initiated a one petition process in which the owners of at least 60% of the front footage of all real property located within the District signed, acknowledging that they are interested in the creation of Special Improvement District and they approve of the Plan for Improvements and Services to be provided by Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc.
The petition proposes to authorize the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. for a five-year period starting January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2031.
The petition and Articles of Incorporation are on file with the Clerk of the Columbus City Council.
The Council is also being asked to approve the inclusion of a City-owned properties as part of the Special Improvement District.
Emergency action is required to allow the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. to continue to establish a Special Improvement District in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation
Title
To approve the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. Petition and Articles of Incorporation; to include the properties owned by the City of Columbus in said district; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 1710 of the Revised Code, effective September 29, 1994, provides for the creation of Special Improvement Districts, by non-profit corporations governed by trustees elected by the property owners for the provision of special services in a designated district; and
WHEREAS, the property owners located in the Downtown Central area have initiated a petition to reauthorize the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., and have filed the petition with the Columbus City Council along with the Articles of Incorporation of the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., an Ohio non-profit corporation, created pursuant to Chapter 1710.02 of the Revised Code; and
WHEREAS, the Clerk of Columbus City Council finds that the property owners per the signed Petition, if authorized by the Council, represent sixty percent (60%) of front footage of all real property located within the District, all as provided by Section 1710.02 of the Revised Code; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined by Columbus City Council that the Special Improvement District is a valuable tool for furthering economic development and a means of continuing to revitalize the Downtown Central area; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to approve the Petition, and the Articles of Incorporation for the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. to meet statutory deadlines, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Petition for the creation of the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc. and the Articles of Incorporation of the Downtown Central Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., now on file with the Clerk of the Columbus City Council, are hereby approved.
SECTION 2. That the property of the City Columbus abutting upon the street described in the Petition is hereby authorized to be included in the district.
SECTION 3. That for the 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 its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.