Explanation
Background
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Columbus Landmarks Foundation to support the Building Arts Studio program, a partnership with Columbus City Schools’ Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center.
The Columbus Landmarks Foundation seeks to preserve Columbus landmarks and neighborhoods through advocacy, education, and investment. The Foundation seek to promote design that inspires and endures.
The Building Arts Studio is a partnership between Columbus Landmarks Foundation and Columbus City Schools' Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center that prepares high school construction trades students for careers in historic preservation. Each semester, approximately 20 students receive hands-on instruction from experienced preservation professionals while rehabilitating the historic Gate House at Fort Hayes. Students learn specialized skills such as historic masonry, window restoration, carpentry, measured drawings, and lead-safe work practices-training that complements their traditional construction education. Since 2022, the program has served more than 100 students, helping address the growing workforce shortage in preservation trades. Because many instructors own preservation businesses, students will also have opportunities to earn internships, apprenticeships, and employment upon completion of the program.
Grant funding will support skilled instructors, specialized tools and materials, safety equipment, and expanded project opportunities, ensuring students gain real-world experience while preserving one of Columbus's historic landmarks.
Since the organization lacks the funding necessary to operate the program fully on a reimbursement basis, funds will be advanced to Columbus Landmarks Foundation in support of the Building Arts Studio program.
This ordinance also authorizes payment for eligible expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order to support events from the b...
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