Explanation
BACKGROUND:
In November 2000, Ohio voters passed State Issue 1 to allow for a $400 million bond issue to fund brownfield redevelopment, green space preservation and other environmental restoration and preservation programs. This statewide effort called, "the Clean Ohio Program" will be in effect for five years and affords communities around Ohio the opportunity to cleanup and redevelop contaminated sites, as well as preserve and create green space.
As core central city redevelopment is a priority of the Columbus Department of Development, Clean Ohio grant funds provide a valuable resource to incentivize site cleanup and redevelopment.
The Columbus Department of Development is interested in cleaning up the Gowdy Field site for future commercial office development. The Gowdy Field site, at Olentangy River Road and First Avenue, is approximately 28 acres in size and was used as a landfill by the City until the early 1970's. As the City contributed to Gowdy Field's contamination by using it as a landfill, the City is precluded from applying for Clean Ohio grant funding. The City, however, may convey title to the property to another party if the applicants are awarded a grant and application for a clean Ohio grant is submitted by another governmental agency without the City's direct involvement. As such, the Columbus Department of Development has requested the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, in partnership with Gowdy Partners, LLC, to act as its agent to apply for Clean Ohio grant funds in preparation for future commercial office development.
This resolution will set forth the support of City Council for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and Gowdy Partners, LLC's efforts to apply for and obtain Round 3 Clean Ohio grant funds. The Columbus Department of Development was successful in Round 1 Application for a $3 million cleanup grant for the former Jeffrey Mining site in Italian Village and Round 2 Application for a $3 million cl...
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