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 Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding in an amount of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the former Jaeger Manufacturing and former Union Fork and Hoe sites at the west edge of the Arena District.
The contiguous sites total 23 acres and partial demolition has occurred while portions are currently being leased to the Columbus Police Canine Division and various entities.
Plaza Properties of Columbus has acquired the site and proposes to construct a mixed use development consisting of 200-400 residential units with commercial retail and office. The development will also include a park to compliment the project on what is now one of the largest remaining land parcels in the downtown area. Total project investment is estimated to be to be at least $33.5 million for Phase 1 construction.
An environmental assessment has been conducted. Clean up costs, to include asbestos abatement, are anticipated to be approximately $1.4 million of which the applied for grant funding would cover $750,000.00 and Plaza Properties supplying the balance.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to commence the Clean Ohio grant application process immediately to insure meeting state datelines.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding. If the application is approved, The City will receive a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund Grant from the Ohio Department of Development in the amount of $750,000.00 to apply toward site clean up.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funds of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the former Jaeger Manufacturing and Union Fork and Hoe sites; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio Clean Ohio Program provides environmental assessment and remediation grants to Ohio communities for the purpose of clean up and redevelopment of contaminated or abandoned properties known as "brownfields"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus contains brownfield properties which may qualify for Clean Ohio clean up and redevelopment grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has been involved with brownfield redevelopment since 1999 through its administration of the Columbus Brownfield Redevelopment Program and its associated task force; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio grant funding will greatly compliment the efforts of the Columbus Department of Development in helping to clean up and redevelop brownfield properties in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development has identified a brownfield property, which is eligible for the Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Fund at the former Jaeger Manufacturing and Union Fork and Hoe sites; and
WHEREAS, an environmental assessment has determined that site clean up costs will be approximately $1.4 million and that Plaza Properties will endeavor to invest at least $33.5 million to construct 200-400 residential units with commercial retail, office components and a park; and
WHEREAS, Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding could provide up to $750,000.00 in clean up costs and asbestos abatement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funding in order to commence the Clean Ohio grant process immediately to insure meeting state datelines, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for Clean Ohio Assistance Grant Funds of up to $750,000.00 for environmental clean up at the former Jaeger Manufacturing and Union Fork and Hoe sites.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.