Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center.
The original Port Columbus terminal and control tower opened in 1929. The art-deco-style terminal was home to the first scheduled coast-to-coast airline passenger service, Transcontinental Air Transport’s (TAT) Lindbergh Line, according to Robert F. Kirk, author of “Flying the Lindbergh Line and The Building of an Airport: Port Columbus.” The airline flew passengers from New York to Glendale, California, using Ford Tri-motors and a unique rail-to-air-to-rail-to-air route.
The terminal was closed in 1958 with the opening of the new Columbus International Airport, since renamed John Glenn International, and following that the terminal and tower was used as office space. Over decades, the building has fallen into disrepair and was listed as “endangered” by Columbus Landmarks in 2015, but a subsequent fundraising effort helped to stabilize the building.
This funding will be used to redevelop the facility as The Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center (OAS). The OAS will serve as a clearinghouse for Ohio youth education and collegiate aviation programs, providing a direct connection to aerospace and technology industry partners that are committed to developing a future aviation workforce. OAS does have a current agreement with the Ohio State University College of Engineering. Additionally, OAS will be entering a joint MOU with Buckeye Tigers, Ohio Tuskegee Airmen, Youth Aviation Adventure, and Women in Aviation International. These partners recognize the need to recruit and train diverse talent.
Emergency action is requested in order to help OAS achieve success on its capital campaign for the more rapid redevelopment of the terminal and control tower.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance number is 042690 and expires on 8/9/24.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Development Taxable Bond Fund. An amendment to the 2022 Capital Improvement Budget is required to establish sufficient budget authority within the proper project.
Title
To amend the 2022 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center; to authorize the expenditure of $275,000 from the Development Taxable Bond Fund and to allow for expenditures prior to the Purchase Order; and to declare an emergency. ($275,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the original Port Columbus terminal and control tower opened in 1929; and
WHEREAS, the terminal was closed in 1958 with the opening of the new Columbus International Airport, since renamed John Glenn International; and
WHEREAS, over decades, the building has fallen into disrepair and was listed as “endangered” by Columbus Landmarks in 2015, but a subsequent fundraising effort helped to stabilize the building; and
WHEREAS, this funding will assist with redeveloping the facility as The Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center; and
WHEREAS, the Center will serve as a clearinghouse for Ohio youth education and collegiate aviation programs, providing a direct connection to aerospace and technology industry partners that are committed to developing a future aviation workforce; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the Department of Development in that in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement in order to help OAS achieve success on its capital campaign for the more rapid redevelopment of the terminal and control tower; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1896-2022 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7739 / P590426-100000 / Rickenbacker Airport Capital Commitment /Unvoted Carryover/ $625,218/ ($275,000.00) / $350,218
7739 / P590426-100000 / Rickenbacker Airport Capital Commitment /Councilmanic SIT Supported/ $3,000,000 / $275,000.00 / $3,275,000
7735/ P200022-100000/ Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame /Councilmanic SIT Supported/ $275,000 / ($275,000) / $0
7739 / P200022-100000 / Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame/Unvoted Carryover / $0 / $275,000.00/ $275,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $275,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bonds), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 4, the expenditure of $275,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bonds), Project 200022-100000, Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a Grant Agreement in an amount up to $275,000.00 with Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Learning Center.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.