Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement with the Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF), a non-profit organization, in an amount up to $400,000.00 to continue the renovation of Sawyer Recreation Center, formerly known as the Neighborhood House. This additional $400,000.00 will provide support for building-wide HVAC and mechanical modernizations. This legislation will also require an advancement of funding on a predetermined schedule is also requested.
Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF) a non-profit organization, started in 2023, is dedicated to empowering underserved communities through education, workforce development and economic revitalization. AALF aims to provide access to critical resources, foster entrepreneurial growth, athletic development, financial literacy, and support local initiatives that drive long-term sustainability. The mission is integral to positive transformation creating opportunities that uplift individuals and families.
Ordinance number 1421-2025 was passed by Columbus City Council on June 02, 2025, authorized the Department of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement in an amount up to $595,000.00 to renovate the Sawyer Recreation Center, formerly known as the Neighborhood House. AALF purchased the Sawyer Recreation Center for the purpose of restoring and rehabbing the facility to a functional purpose that can be used by the residents on the east side as well as the entire Columbus community. The restored 52,500 square feet space will yield a facility that can be used for community events, job creation, and economic development. Specific plans for the rehabbed facility include an event space, athletic training facility, basketball court, medical/retail office space, and a functional commercial kitchen.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to continue rehabilitating the facility with building-wide HVAC and mechanical modernizations to provide a functional facility that will provide access of critical resources, growth, athletic development, financial literacy, and support local initiatives for residents on the east side as well as the entire Columbus community.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $400,000.00 is available for this project from and within the Development Taxable Bond Fund 7739 within the Department of Development.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 051530 and contract compliance expires on 01/24/2027.
Title
To authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer between projects within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement in an amount up to $400,000.00 with the Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation(AALF) to continue the renovation of Sawyer Recreation Center, formerly known as the Neighborhood House; to authorize the expenditure of in an amount up to $400,000.00 within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the advancement of funding on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities through education, workforce development and economic revitalization. AALF aims to provide access to critical resources, foster entrepreneurial growth, athletic development, financial literacy, and support local initiatives that drive long-term sustainability.
WHEREAS, AALF purchased the Sawyer Recreation Center for the purpose of restoring and rehabbing the facility to a functional purpose that can be utilized by the residents on the east side as well as the entire Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council, per ordinance number 1421-2025, passed on 6/2/25, authorized the Department of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant in an amount up to $595,000.00 to renovate the Sawyer Recreation Center, formerly known as the Neighborhood House; and
WHEREAS, the restored 52,500 square feet facility will yield a facility that can be used for community events, job creation and economic development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus would like to continue to provide support for the redevelopment of the east side of Columbus, in an amount up to $400,000.00 by supporting the continued renovation of the Sawyer Recreation Center; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer between projects within the Development Taxable Bond Fund (7739) to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $400,000.00 to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement in order to further assist with the renovation of the Sawyer Recreation Center; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the advancement of funds to the agency on a predetermined schedule; 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 to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement with Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF) in support of the renovating of the Sawyer Recreation Center to provide building-wide HVAC and mechanical modernizations which will provide a functional facility that can be utilized by the residents. This facility will provide access to critical resources, growth, athletic development, financial literacy, and support local initiatives for residents and any delay in funding will cause a further financial hardship for the Foundation and will further cause hardships to those residents that need access to this type of facility and the services in which they provide. Funding this as an emergency will further support those residents and the foundation, 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 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7739/ P200038-100000/ Tactical Urbanism (Unvoted Carryover)/$650,000/($400,000)/$200,000
7739/P782053-100000/Sawyer Recreation Center (Unvoted Carryover)/$0/$400,000/$400,000
SECTION 2. That the transfer between projects in an amount up to $400,000.00, or so much there of as may be needed is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Funds) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement, in an amount up to $400,000.00 with the Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation(AALF) to continue the renovation of Sawyer Recreation Center. Funding will be advanced by a pre-determined schedule that will be included within the agreement.
SECTION 4. The expenditure of $400,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Funds), in Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P782053-100000 (Sawyer Recreation Center Renovation), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account 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 are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 9. 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 passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.