Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
08/13/2013
Agenda Report # 11
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding for Historic Westville Inc.
Relocation
INITIATED BY: Amy Carbajal, Director of Community Reinvestment
Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding with Historic Westville, Inc., to relocate their Living History
Museum to the Oxbow Meadows site and authorize conveyance of approximately 35
acres of property, formerly known as the Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park, to
Westville to locate the Living History Museum and the lease of two tracts of
land for economic development and recreational purposes.
Background: Westville?s Living History Museum has been located in
Lumpkin, Georgia for 47 years. Westville has been struggling in recent years
to attract a critical mass of visitors to support the site financially and
therefore, sought an alternative site to relocate the Living History Museum in
a jurisdiction with the population and tourism that would financially support
its mission. After meeting with the staff of Westville, the City views the
addition of this attraction as an asset to the community that will improve the
quality of life. Vacant land was identified at Oxbow Meadows that will
accommodate Westville. Staff has negotiated the attached Memorandum of
Understanding. Westville is committed to relocating the entire Living History
Museum and all buildings and historical artifacts to Columbus, however, they
need some financial assistance in making the relocation viable.
Analysis: The City will donate a portion of the land (Tract A) to Westville
with a reversionary clause as follows. Should Westville cease to operate as
agreed upon, the donated land will revert to the City. The City will not allow
Westville to utilize this property to secure debt. In return for the donated
land, Westville agrees to maintain and operate Wren Lake as a public recreation
facility to be open during Westville's normal operating hours (Tract C -
approximately 50 acres) at no cost to the City. In addition, Westville will
lease Tract B (approximately 11 acres) at a start up rate of $1,200 per year
for the first three years. Tract B will be sublet to a for profit affiliate of
Westville and be developed as an RV Park and primitive camping area. The
lease for Tract B will be renegotiated after 3 years to bring the lease
payments more in line with market rates for similar property. At any point in
the future, if an economic development project is determined to be viable (such
as a marina) there is an escape clause that will allow Westville 6 months to
abandon Tract C so that the development may occur. The attraction will have a
positive impact on local tourism and the City will be able to offer Wren Lake
as a public amenity at no cost. It is anticipated the move of Westville to the
South Columbus location will take approximately 2 years to complete.
Financial Considerations: Westville is funding all relocation expenses and
improvements to the land. The lease of Tract B will provide a positive revenue
return through lease payments and advalorem tax payments of approximately
$6,000 per year for Tract B.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: Increased tourism, property taxes
for Tract B, lease payments for Tract B. The use of this property will relieve
the City of responsibility to maintain the property and return a portion to the
tax roles.
Legal Considerations: Council approval is required for all real estate
transactions.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding with Historic Westville, Inc., to relocate their
Living History Museum to the Oxbow Meadows site and authorize conveyance of
approximately 35 acres of property to Westville to locate the Living History
Museum and lease of two tracts of land for economic development and
recreational purposes.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING ALLOWING THE DONATION OF A PORTION OF OXBOW MEADOWS PROPERTY FOR
THE RELOCATION OF HISTORIC WESTVILLE, INC., AND THE LEASE OF ADDITIONAL
PROPERTY TO HISTORIC WESTVILLE, INC TO ACCOMMODATE FUTURE EXPANSION.
WHEREAS, Westville?s Living History Museum has been located in Lumpkin, Georgia
for 47 years; and,
WHEREAS, Westville has been struggling in recent years to attract a critical
mass of visitors to support the site financially; and,
WHEREAS, Westville sought an alternative site to relocate the
Living History Museum in a jurisdiction with the population and tourism that
would financially support its mission; and,
WHEREAS, the City views the addition of Westville as an asset to this community
that will improve the quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, the City has vacant land available at Oxbow Meadows that will
accommodate Westville; and,
WHEREAS, Westville is committed to relocating the entire Living History Museum
and all buildings and historical artifacts to Columbus; and,
WHEREAS, in order to assist in making the relocation financially feasible,
Westville has requested that the City donate the museum portion of the land
(?Tract A?), with conditions; and,
WHEREAS, Westville will lease a portion of the land that will be utilized for
purposes ancillary to the not-for-profit Living History Museum; and,
WHEREAS, Westville also agrees to maintain Wren Lake and all recreation access
and activities associated with Wren Lake.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding and all related documents to facilitate the relocation of
Historic Westville, Inc, to the Oxbow Meadows site.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________ day of _____________, 2013 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of
_____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________
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Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments