Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
05/29/07
Agenda Report # 149
TO: Mayor and Councilors
SUBJECT: Redevelopment Plan ? Columbus Army Reserve #1
INITIATED BY: Department of Community Reinvestment
Recommendation: Approval is requested to approve the Columbus Army Reserve
Center #1 Redevelopment Plan and authorizing the Consolidated Government Of
Columbus, Georgia, Acting As The Local Redevelopment Agency (LRA), to file the
Redevelopment Plan the with U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development
(Hud) And The U.S. Department Of Defense.
Background: As a result of BRAC, the Department of Defense will be closing the
Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 (ARC) located at 3001 Macon Road, Columbus,
Georgia, and moving that operation on post at Fort Benning. The City of
Columbus was notified of the potential of the property being available to the
City. In order for the City to participate in the process with the
Department of Defense and other agencies in the disposal of the property, it
was necessary for the City to be designated as a Local Redevelopment Agency
(LRA). In February 2006, the City of Columbus, Georgia requested and was
designated the Local Redevelopment Agency (LRA) to take the lead in the
coordination and development of a beneficial reuse for this Army Reserve
Center.
The City of Columbus is acting as the Local Redevelopment Agency (LRA) as it
pertains to the closure of the Army Reserve Center. As such, the City is
responsible for the coordination and development of a redevelopment (reuse)
plan for the ARC to be submitted to the Department of Defense and the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is the goal of the City,
through this redevelopment plan, for the property to be utilized for a
community purpose through a Public Benefit Conveyance (PBC) at up to a 100%
discount of fair market value of the land.
Analysis: Acting as the LRA, the City has worked to ensure compliance with all
applicable federal regulations as it pertains to the community being informed
of the process of disposing of the Columbus Army Reserve Center #1. The City
conducted two NOI workshops to inform the community, the homeless service
providers and non-profits of the availability of the property. It also
conducted 3 public meetings during the review of the Notice of Interest to
continue to update on the community on the process and recommendations of the
LRA. At the request of the community, the City Manager appointed a 12-member
NOI review committee to insure community input into the development of the
plan. Through the collaboration with the review committee and citizens input,
the redevelopment plan was completed. The final required public hearing was
held on May 23, 2007.
The recommended redevelopment plan for the Columbus Army Reserve Center is to
be utilized by Columbus State University for educational purposes, through a
Public Benefit Conveyance with the U. S. Department of Education. The proposed
reuse is to house the West Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy that is
currently located on the campus Columbus State University. If for some
unforeseen reason, the Academy is not relocated to the ARC, Columbus State
University Continuing Education (CARES) programs will fill the void with
courses that would benefit the Columbus community.
Financial Considerations: There is no impact to the operating budget.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed the plan and approved as
to form.
Recommendation: Approve the attached resolution authorizing the approval of
the Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 Redevelopment Plan and authorizing the
Consolidated Government Of Columbus, Georgia, Acting As The Local Redevelopment
Agency (LRA), to file the Redevelopment Plan with the U.S. Department Of
Housing and Urban Development (Hud) and the U.S. Department Of Defense.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COLUMBUS ARMY RESERVE CENTER #1
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA, ACTING AS THE LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (LRA), TO FILE THE
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(HUD) AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
WHEREAS, in November 2005, the Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 was placed on
the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) List; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus requested and was designated the Local
Redevelopment Agency (LRA) as it pertains to the disposal of the property as
required by the Redevelopment Act; and,
WHEREAS, acting as the LRA, the City took the lead in the coordination and
development of a beneficial reuse of the Army Reserve Center; and,
WHEREAS, acting as the LRA, the City has worked to ensure compliance with all
applicable federal regulations as it pertains to the community being informed
regarding the disposal of the Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 property, and,
WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Plan for the Army Reserve Center is to be utilized
by Columbus State University, a University System of Georgia Institution, for
educational purposes, through a Public Benefit Conveyance with the U.S.
Department of Education.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
1. That acting as the LRA, Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 Redevelopment Plan
is approved.
2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to:
- file the Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 Redevelopment Plan with the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- file the Columbus Army Reserve Center #1 Redevelopment Plan with the
U.S. Department of Defense.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
_________day of _____________, 2007 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of ____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Anthony voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Hunter voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ ____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor
Attachments