Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to accept and execute a reimbursable grant agreement up to $1,000,000.00 from the State of Ohio, acting by and through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, and authorizes the appropriation of the grant for use by the Director of the Department of Development.
The grant funding, along with additional public and private funding, will be used to construct the North Market Grand Atrium adjacent to the current North Market building as part of the construction of the North Market Tower project. The Grant Atrium will host cultural events through the presentation of the visual, musical, and other arts.
In 2016, the City began a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the surface parking lot adjacent to the existing North Market building with the goal of creating a sustainable, long-term financial structure to support the North Market. The evaluation committee selected a proposal by the Development Team which includes a twenty-six (26) story mixed-use development, including an expansion of the North Market, a grand atrium, an outdoor patio and entrance, additional retail, residential units, class A commercial office, hotel, and structured parking. To support these efforts, the Department of Development was invited to apply for $1,000,000.00 in grant assistance from the State of Ohio Facilities Construction Commission for the construction of the North Market grand atrium and was awarded said grant.
The grant requires at least a 50% match and the match will be provided by the North Market Development Authority. Under separate ordinance(s), the director of the Department of Development will request Council approval to enter into an agreement for the North Market Development Authority to provide the match and to enter into agreement to expend these funds. The city will become a ‘pass-through’ entity for this grant.
Emergency action is requested in order to maintain the project schedule.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation requests the appropriation of $1,000,000.00 in the General Government Grant Fund (Fund 2220).
Title
To authorize Director of the Department of Development to accept and execute a reimbursable grant agreement up to $1,000,000.00 from the State of Ohio, acting by and through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission; to authorize the appropriation of up to $1,000,000.00 in the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2016 the City began a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the surface parking lot adjacent to the existing North Market building with the goal of creating a sustainable, long-term financial structure to support the North Market; and
WHEREAS, an evaluation committee selected a proposal by the Development Team which includes a twenty-six (26) story mixed-use development, including an expansion of the North Market, a grand atrium, an outdoor patio and entrance, additional retail, residential units, class A commercial office, hotel, and structured parking; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Department of Development was invited to apply for $1,000,000.00 in grant assistance from the State of Ohio Facilities Construction Commission for the construction of the North Market grand atrium; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to accept and execute the roadwork development grant to maintain the project schedule; thereby preserving the 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 to accept and execute a reimbursable grant agreement up to $1,000,000.00 from the State of Ohio, acting by and through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
SECTION 2. Authorizes the Director of Development to accept State of Ohio reimbursements of up to $1,000,000.00 as reimbursement for expenses related to the grant.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund) and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the grant period, the sum of $1,000,000.00 is appropriated upon receipt of an executed grant agreement in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), grant number to be determined by Auditor, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the Grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant requirements.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.