Agenda Item # 7
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
07/13/2010
Agenda Report # 527
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Omega Financial, Inc. - Permanent Encroachment
INITIATED BY: Engineering
Recommendation: Approval is requested to execute a Land Lease Agreement with
Omega Financial, Inc., located at 1242 - 6th Avenue to improve and use the 13th
Street right-of-way underneath the 13th Street Viaduct for off street parking.
Background: The 13th Street Bridge/Viaduct crosses 6th Avenue and the Railroad
Yard aerially and includes street right-of-way. There exists an area
underneath the 13th Street Viaduct east of 6th Avenue that is used today as
access to the Railroad Yard and the rear of buildings located along the east
side of 6th Avenue. This same area is used as an unorganized parking area by
employees of nearby businesses to include Omega Financial. Omega Financial is
reconstructing the existing building located at 1242 - 6th Avenue for which the
building exterior is the property line. This creates a unique situation in
that this property can not provide off street parking on the same property as
the building. Omega Financial has requested that they be allowed to improve
the area underneath the 13th Street Viaduct for the purpose of providing
off-street parking.
Analysis: The area underneath the 13th Street Viaduct is controlled by the
City. Omega Financial provided a parking layout (attached) that provides 18
parking spaces and continues to provide access to the Railroad Yard. The
installation of this parking area with pedestrian crosswalk will be an
improvement to this area as well as provide parking close to this new
facility. The improvement of the area underneath the 13th Street Viaduct will
be a Win - Win solution for both the City and Omega Financial.
Financial Considerations: Hence, it is recommended that this encroachment be
allowed and that the value of the proposed improvements be the City
compensation for the Land Lease. The Land Lease will be in increments of five
(5) years with three (3) renewals. These improvements will relieve the City of
any maintenance costs during the lease period.
Legal Considerations: This right-of-way encroachment and Land Lease requires
Council approval.
Recommendations/ Actions: Request Council to approve a Resolution authorizing
the City Manager to execute a Land Lease Agreement with Omega Financial, Inc.
located at 1242 - 6th Avenue to improve and use the 13th Street right-of-way
underneath the 13th Street Viaduct for off street parking.
Included below is a Letter of Request, a Site Plan of the proposed parking and
access and a photo of the existing conditions beneath the 13th Street Viaduct.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LAND LEASE AGREEMENT
WITH OMEGA FINANCIAL, INC., AUTHORIZING THE 13TH STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY BENEATH
THE VIADUCT TO BE IMPROVED AS A PARKING LOT AND FOR PROPERTY ACCESS LOCATED
NORTH OF 1242 - 6TH AVENUE FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS WITH THREE (3) EACH
TERM RENEWALS FOR THE VALUE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AND A DOLLAR PER YEAR.
WHEREAS, Omega Financial, Inc., is renovating the building structure located at
1242 - 6th Avenue for new office space; and,
WHEREAS, the building located at 1242 - 6th Avenue occupies the entire property
without any space available for off street parking; and,
WHEREAS, there exists an area of right-of-way underneath the 13th Street
Viaduct/Bridge that is being used as access and parking; and,
WHEREAS, Omega Financial, Inc., provided the City a design to improve this area
with 18 parking spaces and access to the railroad yard and rear of existing
buildings.
WHEREAS, Omega Financial, Inc., requested authorization to lease the
right-of-way beneath the 13th Street Viaduct adjacent to the 1242 - 6th Avenue
parcel for parking; and,
WHEREAS, improving this right-of-way to parking and access based on the
approval of plans by the Engineering Department is a benefit to the City by
reducing annual maintenance; and,
WHEREAS, the improvements made to this right-of-way will be considered part of
the compensation to the City for the Land Lease and encroachment of the
right-of-way.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A LAND LEASE
AGREEMENT WITH OMEGA FINANCIAL, INC., AUTHORIZING THE 13TH STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY
BENEATH THE VIADUCT TO BE IMPROVED AS A PARKING LOT AND FOR PROPERTY ACCESS
LOCATED NORTH OF 1242 - 6TH AVENUE FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS WITH THREE
(3) EACH TERM RENEWALS FOR THE VALUE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AND A DOLLAR PER YEAR.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2010 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Hunter voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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