Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City’s Recreation and Parks Department (“CRPD”) is engaged in the Cooke Woods Preservation Project (“Public Project”). The Public Project will acquire two forested parcels in the North Linden area to preserve nearly 3.889 +/- acres of mature woodlands. This ordinance authorizes the Recreation and Parks Department (“CRPD”) to acquire property consisting of approximately 1.59 acres {Franklin county parcel number 010-117497} located east of the terminus of Hansen Avenue and Coronet Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43224 (“Real Estate”).
Since 2016, CRPD has been seeking to preserve existing high quality woodlands in the Linden community. This Property on East Cooke Road was identified as containing a significant piece of the largest remaining undisturbed woodland in North Linden. In 2022, two of three owners made contact with CRPD to inquire about selling their wooded parcels to the City for permanent preservation.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to execute those documents necessary to purchase the real property from Tod Edwards and Chad Edwards and to expend up to Ninety Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($95,000.00) for costs associated with the acquisition of the property, all associated due diligence testing costs, and closing costs. The other 2.3 +/- acres of mature woodlands is to being considered in Ordinance No. 2774-2022.
There was no quorum on the October 12, 2022 Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting. Per the approval of the present Commissioners, this ordinance was requested to be sent thru the legislation approval process in order to avoid a delay with this land acquisition.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Not applicable
FISCAL IMPACT: The Recreation and Parks Department has determined that $95,000.00 is budgeted and will be available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION:
Emergency action is requested in order to acquire the Real Estate allowin...
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