Explanation
Background: In 1995, the City and the State of Ohio, acting through the Ohio Arts and Sports Facilities Commission, now known as the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission ("OCFC") entered into a lease agreement for the property formerly know as Central High School for the purpose of operating a museum of science and industry. Subsequently, OCFC entered into an Funding and Management Agreement with COSI-Columbus to operate and maintain the museum. COSI-Columbus is desirous of renting excess space available in the building for the uses other than but related to a public museum of science and industry. In order to permit such uses it is necessary to amend the lease agreement with OCFC to permit additional uses as meet the definition of an "cultural facility" under Chapter 3383 of the Ohio Revised Code and as may be consented to by the Mayor. The current lease requires a Council ordinance to approve any additional uses. In addition, OCFC has requested some additional lease changes which will eliminate the necessity of obtaining the consent of the Mayor for any alterations or improvement requiring consent only where the improvement involves structural alterations in excess of $50,000.00. OCFC has also requested the elimination of a 90 day prior notice of lease termination if the Funding and Management Agreement is terminated.
Fiscal Impact: None
Emergency Justification: COSI-Columbus has a proposed arrangement with WOSU to locate its production facilities in the building. In order to meet the planned timeframes for commencement of Operations by WOSU it is necessary for this ordinance to take effect immediately after passage and approval by the Mayor.
Title
To authorize the Mayor to execute the First Amendment to the Lease Agreement between the City of Columbus and the State of Ohio, acting through the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, for the lease of the property formerly known as Central High School, and to declare an emergency.
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