Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for the Eastmoor Green Line and Alum Creek-North Tributary Preservation and provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition. If awarded funding, a separate piece of legislation will be submitted at a later date to enter into a grant agreement and allocate the local funds.
These applications would acquire fee simple property in the Eastmoor/Linwood and Northland communities.
Eastmoor Green Line
The Green Line would create a 17.5 acre linear park on the city’s east side, spanning 3 miles through the Eastmoor/Linwood communities along an abandoned rail corridor. The corridor runs from Broad Street on the north to south of Livingston Avenue. The rail corridor is privately owned, and acquiring the property provides a unique opportunity to establish a linear passive park space capable of offering easily accessible quality outdoor experience to residents living within a 5 minute walking distance. The project also offers important social equity for several inner city neighborhoods facing a deficit of natural resources.
Alum Creek-North Tributary Preservation
This project will acquire 12 acres of high quality tributary corridor of Alum Creek in the Linden/Northland area. A key component is that this tributary preservation is directly connected to the Linden Green Line companion application. Preserving these ‘green corridors’ along the Green Line enhances the natural preservation benefits of both projects, provides critical open space preservation in a dense urban neighborhood, and significant tree canopy and riparian protection values for the city.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Public Works Commission
Clean Ohio Conservation Fund
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested for this authorization as it is required as part of the grant application which is due March 17, 2017.
Benefits to the Public:
Eastmoor/Linwood
The Eastmoor/Linwood areas lack access to waterways and significant open spaces and parks. For over 25 years the city has been engaging in protecting and providing access to a comprehensive linear system of rivers, trails, paths. The timing of acquiring this park corridor ties directly to the city’s goal of providing a lift to inner city neighborhoods cut off from safe, easy access greenways and outdoor experiences. The scale of costs estimated in these applications, relies heavily upon outside funding assistance such as the Clean Ohio Fund to achieve these goals.
Linden/Northland
The Linden/Northland areas lack access to waterways and significant open spaces and parks. For over 25 years the city has been engaging in protecting and providing access to a comprehensive linear system of rivers, trails, paths. The timing of acquiring these two sites ties directly to the city’s goal of providing a lift to inner city neighborhoods cut off from safe, easy access greenways and outdoor experiences. The scale of costs estimated in these applications, relies heavily upon outside funding assistance such as the Clean Ohio Fund to achieve these goals.
Area(s) Affected: Planning Area: 11
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding recreation and conservation opportunities to the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. Providing access to trails and greenways corridors. Improving the environmental health of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. Providing long-term protection corridors for water quality and trail development.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance requires $0.00 City of Columbus Funds. If awarded the grant, future legislation will accept and appropriate the grant funds as well as identify a City match.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for the Eastmoor Green Line and Alum Creek-North Tributary Preservation and to provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund is accepting applications; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department wishes to apply for a grant for the Eastmoor Green Line and Alum Creek-North Tributary Preservation; and
WHEREAS, future legislation would accept and appropriate the grant funds as well as identify a city match; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to apply for said grant to meet application deadlines; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for the Eastmoor Green Line and Alum Creek-North Tributary Preservation and provide the necessary match funds for land acquisition.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance authorizes an application for the grant funds only and is not a commitment to expend city funds.
SECTION 3. That future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation and expenditure of funds.
SECTION 4. That the City of Columbus does agree to obligate the funds required to satisfactorily complete the proposed project and become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.