Explanation
BACKGROUND: The need exists to amend Ordinance Number 2067-2004, passed by Columbus City Council on November 22, 2004.
Ordinance Number 2067-2004 authorized the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development, Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for a grant of up to $750,000.00 for asbestos removal and other eligible costs within the former Seneca Hotel site at 361 East Broad Street in Downtown Columbus.
At the time of the legislation passed on November 22, 2004, based on a 1989 asbestos survey, it was believed the interior plaster did not contain asbestos. Based on that finding, it was believed that the asbestos abatement cost and other eligible costs would not exceed the $750,000.00 potentially available from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund. However, as a result of a recently completed asbestos survey, which extensively sampled the building, it was confirmed that the vast majority of the interior plaster does contain asbestos. It is now clear that the cost for asbestos abatement and other eligible costs are likely to exceed $2,500,000.00, which is far in excess of what can be provided by the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund.
Based on this new information and its significant financial impact on the project, Campus Apartments, the project developer, and the Development Director requests authorization from Columbus City Council to apply for a grant from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund of up to $3,000,000.00 (the maximum allowable under this program). The change from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund to the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund will not require any additional expense on the part of the City of Columbus. Moreover, the importance of this project to the revitalization of the Discovery District and of Downtown Columbus warrants the increased financial support that is available form the State of Ohio through the City's sponsorship of the requested grant from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund.
The...
Click here for full text