COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICIANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
July 16, 2024
City of Columbus
90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-645-8069
This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Columbus.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about, but not before, August 1st, 2024, the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake the following project known as:
Elevate 340, for the purpose of demolishing the former downtown Ohio Democratic Party building at 340 E. Fulton Street to allow for the new construction of 74 housing units. 55 units will be set aside for families at or below 60% of the AMI. Of these set aside units, 4 units will be reserved to serve Community Shelter Board referrals. 19 units are set aside as market rate to bring together the economically diverse Downtown workforce. The City of Columbus is requesting $756,459.62 from 2022 HOME and $9,057.62 from 2023 HOME.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Columbus has determined that the projects will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Records (ERR) on file at the Department of Finance and Management at the above address, and the ERRs is available via email by contacting Gabrielle Kennedy at gmkennedy@columbus.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on an ERR to the City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management at gmkennedy@columbus.gov. All comments received by July 31st, 2024, will be considered by the City of Columbus prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Columbus certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Kathy A. Owens, in her capacity as Director, Department of Finance and Management, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Columbus to use HUD funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Columbus’ certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Columbus; (b) the City of Columbus has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Columbus Field Office at email address: CPDColumbusRROF@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Kathy A. Owens, Director
Department of Finance and Management
90 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215