Explanation
BACKGROUND: On July 25, 2016, Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 1989-2016 authorizing the Director of Development to execute any and all agreements and deeds for the conveyance of 363 Reeb Avenue from the Land Bank Program to Community Housing Network, Inc (CHN) or other entity created to manage the site. The proposed development consists of two subareas: subarea one, to construct a new 62-unit permanent supportive housing development and subarea two, to install an edible forest/community space. Approval is now requested to amend the area being conveyed to CHN based on surveys obtained after the initial legislation. This subarea is now referred to as 350 E. Barthman Avenue and consists of 1.088 acres. The Land Bank will retain control of the edible forest/ subarea 2, a total of 0.494 acres, and work with The Ohio State University Wexner Center for the Arts and neighborhood partners to develop the space, called South Side Fruit Park. Authorization is requested to enter into a funding agreement with The Ohio State University Wexner Center for the Arts to contribute up to $40,000 toward improvements, and to enter into a lease agreement with Parsons Avenue Merchants Association who will manage the site. The Fruit Park is a part of a larger initiative to install similar community spaces around the country called Fallen Fruit. In addition to the South Side Fruit Park, the Columbus Fallen Fruit initiative will include an art exhibit at the Wexner Center and a Fruit Park in Weiland Park, called the Berry Patch.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested to enable the buyer to meet the 2017 Housing Tax Credit Program application deadlines established by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, which is required to complete the development of the project.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City may first recover reimbursement of any and all expenses incurred on account of the acquisition, administration, management, maintenance and disposition of such lan...
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