City of Columbus - File #: 1648-2025

• File #: 1648-2025
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Second Reading
• File created: 6/6/2025
• In control: Economic Development & Small and Minority Business Committee
• On agenda: 6/30/2025
• Title: To authorize the appropriation of funds within the Income Tax Set Aside Subfund; to authorize the transfer of cash between the Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects; to authorize the expenditure with the Development Taxable Bond Fund in an amount up to $2,000,000.00 for a capital contribution agreement which will provide funding for the construction of a new onsite warehouse with the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio; to authorize expenditures prior to the approval of the purchase order; to advance funding on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency ($2,000,000.00)

Explanation

BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a capital contribution agreement with the Furniture Bank of Ohio, (Furniture Bank) a non-profit organization, in an amount up to $2,000,000.00 to support the “Furnish Our Community Plan”, which is the building of a new onsite warehouse facility.

The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is a nonprofit organization that has been providing services in the Columbus community for over 25 years. The organization is dedicated to helping families in need by providing essential furniture and household items. Since 1998, Furniture Bank has served nearly 80,000 families by distributing more than 1,000,000 pieces of furniture.

With the current capacity to serve only 4,000 families a year, the Furniture Bank recognizes a tremendous need to serve other families. The “Furnish Our Community Plan” seeks to serve up to 6,000 families a year by expanding the current facility. The plan also includes a capital campaign to raise $9.5 million to create a new onsite warehouse and renovate and improve the family showroom and offices. The wood shop will also be expanded and relocated in the new facility. With the support of more than 1,300 volunteers contributing over 20,000 hours of service each year, the Furniture Bank is able to build furniture such as dressers, bed frames, kitchen tables and kit furniture in the woodshop.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency exists as this capital contribution agreement is needed for the closing of their financing in order to pay for the construction of the new onsite warehouse facility in order to continue to serve the Columbus area.

FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount up to $1,599,788.04 is available in existing cash within the Development Taxable Bond Fund. The remaining $400,211.96 will need to be certified against the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 and then be reimbursed upon the receipt of the sale ...