Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to transfer maintenance responsibilities and ownership of 1334 East Livingston Avenue to the Land Redevelopment Division of the Department of Development. This ordinance will also authorize the Department of Development to enter into a lease agreement with the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park. This would allow for the already established and supported partnership to continue with Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park, a non-profit entity originally created in 2003 to manage the museum.
By Ordinance 1277-1998, Columbus City Council authorized the purchase of 1334 East Livingston Avenue by the City Attorney on the behalf of the Department of Recreation and Parks. The house at this location is the boyhood home of Eddie Rickenbacker and is a National Landmark. Ordinance 1038-2001 authorized the Department of Development to accept an Ohio Department of Administrative Services grant to acquire property next to the house, restore the Rickenbacker home, and create a museum. Starting in 2004, exterior renovations were started and managed by the Department of Development. In 2015, as authorized by Ordinance 1767-2015, the Department of Development transferred parcels surrounding the house to the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park (Rickenbacker Woods Museum), a non-profit entity, originally created in 2003, to manage the museum. Rickenbacker Woods Museum renovated buildings that were a part of the transfer into an office and a community center. The organization currently operates various programs, including a successful youth afterschool program, out of the community center. Repairs were also performed to the Rickenbacker house but the house interior remained untouched. This Ordinance will transfer maintenance responsibilities and control of 1334 East Livingston Avenue to the Land Redevelopment Division of the Department of Development and authorize the Department to enter into a lease agreement with the Rickenbacker Woods Museum. Rickenbacker Woods Museum is in the process of securing a State of Ohio grant to complete additional renovations to the house’s interior to turn the house into an improved museum. The lease is a requirement of the grant.
Additional background and history of this site is noted below:
Ordinance 1277-1998 authorized the purchase and states that the property is to be used for “recreation and parkland purposes”. Background of the ordinance indicates that the house would be leased to the Columbus Housing Partnership who would “manage the property until other funding sources can be identified to operate it as a museum”.
Ordinance 3178-1998 authorized the Recreation and Parks Department to execute a five year lease with the Columbus Housing Partnership for the Rickenbacker House.
Ordinance 2640-2000 authorized the Department of Trade and Development to accept a grant from the National Park Service in the amount of $10,000.00 to develop an historic structures report for the Eddie Rickenbacker House.
Ordinance 1038-2001 authorized the Department of Development to accept a $475,000 grant from Ohio Department of Administrative Services in order to purchase parcels, restore the Rickenbacker home, and create a museum.
Ordinance 1361-2004 authorized the Department of Development to enter into contract with Neighborhood Design Center to oversee rehab of the Rickenbacker Woods Project. This ordinance was later amended by 1834-2004 to authorize and direct the Director of Development to enter the contract referenced above but for the lesser amount of $280.000.00.
Ordinance 0355-2007 authorized the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a contract with Neighborhood Design Center for the administration of the Rickenbacker House Project at a cost of $100,000.00.
Ordinance 0960-2008 authorized the Department of Development to extend its contract with the Neighborhood Design Center.
Ordinance 2804-2012 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historical Park, Inc. to provide management services for the properties on East Livingston Avenue known as the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historical Park.
Ordinance 1767-2015 authorized the Department of Development to execute any and all necessary agreements for the use, operation, lease, and management of the Eddie Rickenbacker House, described as 1334 Livingston Avenue - 010-041716.
Principal Parties:
Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park
1330 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205
Mike Aaron, 614-427-3201
Contract Compliance Number: 026340, 05-0590212
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 3, 2024
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to expedite the transfer of the parcels from the Department of Recreation and Parks to the Department of Development as quickly as possible in order to allow a lease agreement to be executed. The lease must be executed in order to meet a State of Ohio funding deadline that will allow renovations to proceed this summer.
Benefits to the Public: Transferring ownership and supporting the Department of Development lease agreement with Rickenbacker Technology Museum and Historic Park will allow for the preservation of the historical structure and historic information contained in the Museum. This asset will continue as a community space, open to the public
Community Input/Issues: The City of Columbus continues to work with the community and the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park to provide a safe and iconic space for the community. The local community, Area Commission, and Civic Associations support the transfer and preservation of the neighborhood asset.
Area(s) Affected: Livingston Avenue Area (62)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by supporting partnerships, community access, and programming.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is required at this time.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to transfer maintenance responsibilities and ownership of 1334 East Livingston Avenue to the Department of Development; to authorize the Department of Development to enter into a lease agreement with the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to transfer maintenance responsibilities and ownership of 1334 East Livingston Avenue to the Department of Development; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Department of Development to enter into a lease agreement with the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize these actions in order to expedite the transfer of the parcels, allowing a lease agreement to be executed in order to meet a State of Ohio funding deadline that will allow renovations to proceed this summer, 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 Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to transfer maintenance responsibilities and ownership of 1334 East Livingston Avenue to the Department of Development.
SECTION 2. That the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a lease agreement with the Rickenbacker Woods Technology Museum and Historic Park.
SECTION 3. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.