Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant of up to $3 million, to receive and administer the grant to clean and redevelop the former Kimball Midwest site at 580-582 West Goodale Blvd. and to authorize its development partner; the Wagenbrenner Development Company, to apply the grant funding toward the environmental clean up work at the project site to prepare for redevelopment.
Pursuant to Ordinance 1455-2007, passed by Columbus City Council on September 24, 2007, the Department of Development applied for, and was awarded, a Clean Ohio grant of $102,000 from the Ohio Department of Development to perform a Phase 2 environmental assessment at the Kimball Midwest site at 580 West Goodale Blvd. in Columbus. (The Phase 2 environmental assessment was complete during the second quarter of 2009.)
On July 13, 2009, Columbus City Council Ordinance 0996-2009 authorized the Columbus Department of Development to apply for a $750,000 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to clean and redevelop the site in partnership with JDS Goodale, LLC, but the application was not submitted as JDS decided not to go forward with its proposed project at the Kimball-Midwest site.
Subsequently, Wagenbrenner Development Company acquired control of the site and wishes to invest approximately $9 million to construct 90 market rate apartment units utilizing LEED standards for the renovation of the existing structure or new construction. Wagenbrenner also proposes to grant an easement to the City, along Goodale Blvd., for the extension of the Olentangy bike path and proposed pedestrian bridge over the Olentangy River.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to begin the application process as soon as possible in order to meet the State's deadline for application submittal.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this ...
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