Explanation
BACKGROUND: In March, 2012, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the Move Ohio Forward Grant Program to award up to $75 million to demolish vacant, abandoned and blighted properties. The program required a County Land Reutilization Corporation to submit an application for the funds which were allocated to each County on a formula basis. With the assistance of the Land Redevelopment Office, the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation submitted an application for up to $8.2 million for Franklin County. In July, 2012, the request was approved, allowing the City of Columbus to receive up to $5.8 million for demolitions. The City will use the funds to help implement Mayor Michael Coleman's Vacant and Abandoned Property Initiative to demolish abandoned residential structures.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Grant will reimburse the City for 50% of eligible demolition costs for residential structures, up to a total of $5,800,305. This ordinance will accept the grant and appropriate grants funds up to the amount for which we have match funds available.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to allow reimbursements to start as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into agreement with the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation to receive up to $5,800,305 under the Move Ohio Forward Grant Program; to authorize the transfer of $3,189,041.08 (cash) from the Housing Preservation Fund to the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $6,728,082.16 within the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($6,728,082.16)
Body
WHEREAS, in March, 2012, the Ohio Attorney General, along with several other State Attorney Generals and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development agreed on a $330 million dollar settlement with five of the nation's largest mortgage services over foreclosure abuses, fraud, and unfa...
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