Explanation
Background: This ordinance is to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a purchase contract with Columbus City Schools (CCS) to acquire some or all of the following parcels and to expend up to a total of $2,015,000.00 from the CDBG Fund 2248, Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 on these acquisitions. The funds would be used for acquisition, survey, title, and any associated costs.
PID # 010-033923 - Douglas Alternative Elementary School, 51 South Douglas Street
PID # 010-113466 - Stockbridge Elementary School, 3350 South Champion Avenue
For many years, the Columbus City Schools and Recreation and Parks have collaborated where possible on servicing the city’s youth and families. This collaboration includes programming, facilities, as well as strategic use of lands that both agencies own or manage that can offer long term recreational values for Columbus residents. In 2020, CCS will be divesting of former school sites around the city, and Recreation and Parks is seeking to acquire some or all of two of these properties for use as future neighborhood parks. Each of the properties were appraised in January of 2020.
The sites are located in communities identified by Recreation and Parks as key parkland deficit areas. By acquiring the properties, residents will have a unique opportunity for preserving greenspace in built-out neighborhoods and each of the properties provides close walkable access. The former Douglas Alternative School is located in Olde Towne East, and the four acre property is one of the largest remaining in the built-out neighborhood. The former Stockbridge Elementary School is located in the South Side, and the 11 acre property is directly adjacent to the city’s Stockbridge Park. The additional acreage will provide wider accessibility to the neighborhood, as well as critical park space for tree plantings, walking, and passive recreation.
Principa...
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