Explanation
Background:
The City currently owns the property commonly known as Gowdy Field. The Riverfront Vision Plan recommended that Gowdy Field's use should include recreation and green space. Columbus Urban Growth Corporation ("CUGC") has proposed to the City that it purchase Gowdy Field from the City for purposes of redeveloping the land with office buildings and developing the remainder as an active recreational park; thus, providing a usable park on the site, creating economic development opportunities by creating jobs and employment opportunities, improving the economic welfare of the people of the City, and increasing the real and personal property tax and income tax revenues of the City. CUGC's purchase price would be its obligation to build the park satisfactory to the Recreation and Parks Commission and City Council and to provide funds to the City for a certain number of years for the operations and maintenance of the park. Prior to the sale of Gowdy Field, environmental assessments must be undertaken to determine to CUGC's satisfaction that the proposed redevelopment of Gowdy Field is feasible and economical. CUGC is willing to initially pay the costs of the environmental assessments and be reimbursed by the City.
Fiscal Impact: Up to $50,000 to pay costs of environmental assessments.
Title
To authorize the Executive Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into option agreement with Columbus Urban Growth Corporation to convey by quit claim deed the property commonly known as Gowdy Field; to grant Columbus Urban Growth Corporation access to Gowdy Field for the purpose of conducting environmental assessments; to authorize the Development Director to reimburse Columbus Urban Growth Corporation up to $50,000.00 for the costs of said environmental assessments; to waive the Land Review Commission provisions and the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00.
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