Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to give the Director of the Department of Development the authority to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a grant of up to $300,000 under the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for site assessment activities at the former 3M site (aka, former Auld site) at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus. Approval to apply for a $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant was established under Columbus City Council Ordinance 0995-09 passed on July 13, 2009.
The former 3M site was used for metal finishing operations from 1920 to 2000 when operations closed. It has remained vacant since 2000 and since that time, has been a blighting influence in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus.
Recently, the Columbus Department of Development, in partnership with Wagenbrenner Development, submitted the application for the $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant, but upon review by the Ohio EPA, concern was expressed that the site may be more contaminated than originally understood. As a result, Ohio EPA suggested that Columbus' application be withdrawn until further assessment of the site could be undertaken. In cooperation, the Ohio Department of Development offered Columbus an opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $300,000 in Clean Ohio Assistance Funds to conduct additional environmental assessment of the site and invited the city to resubmit the $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund application in mid-2010.
Both the Columbus Department of Development and Wagenbrenner Development wish to follow the recommendation of the Ohio EPA, and accept the offer of assistance by the Ohio Department of Development, by applying for the $300,000.00 grant for additional environmental assessment at the 3M site.
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....
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