Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City’s Recreation and Parks Department (“CRPD”) is engaged in the Cooke Woods Preservation Project (“Public Project”). As part of that project, CRPD is acquiring approximately 6.14 acres, more or less, of real estate located at 1873 East Cooke Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219 {Franklin County Tax Parcels No. 010-045381, 010-117367, 010-117353}, from BA Cooke LLC. (“Real Estate”). The Real Estate is located in the North Linden community and will contribute significant benefits toward the permanent preservation of mature forest ecology in Columbus. CRPD has successfully negotiated a contract for the purchase of the Real Estate. CRPD now requests the City Attorney’s Real Estate Division acquire the Real Estate in good faith and contract for associated professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.) as part of the closing so that CRPD can timely complete the acquisition of the Real Estate.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT: $1,170,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 and Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this acquisition.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to acquire the Real Estate and allow the Recreation and Parks Department to complete all contract contingencies to meet the closing deadline of late March 2025 and timely complete the Public Project without unnecessary delay, which will preserve the public peace, health, property, safety, and welfare.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to spend City funds to acquire and accept in good faith certain fee simple title and lesser real estate located at 1873 East Cooke Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219, and contract for associated professional services in order for the Recreation and Parks Department to timely complete the acquisition of Real Estate for the Cooke Woods Preservation Project; to authorize and expend up to $1,170,000.00 from the Recreation a...
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