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    Development Deal in Jerome Township may be the answer to the City of Columbus’ financial woes

    The City of Dublin is attempting to annex around 300 acres of land from Jerome Township for development. This would require Dublin to cut a deal with the City of Columbus and at would require water and sewer services from the City of Columbus.

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    This 300 acres is the beginning of Dublin’s plan to create their very own Technology Corridor along St. Rt. 33. Dublin plans to locate a Proton Therapy Center within their city limits and gain land for research and office space with this newly annexed property. In fact, Dublin’s community plan calls for over 40 million square feet of office and research space to be located here.

    About 25 years ago, the City of Columbus and the City of Dublin came to an agreement that requires each city to consent to any annexations that take place in what is called the “negotiated area” of Jerome Township.

    If the City of Columbus allows the City of Dublin to go ahead and annex this land it means that Dublin will become the Central Ohio leader in research and technology. They will benefit from many new high paying jobs and the income tax funding that goes along with it. Essentially all that Columbus would get out of the deal is the water/sewer contract.

    So why would the City of Columbus sign off on the beginnings of a development that will compete and poach jobs from Columbus? Well, they would receive a small pittance up front for the land, which might look good during the budget crunch of 2009. But in the long term this will create a huge competitor for The City of Columbus’ 315 Tech Corridor plans, it would shift countless jobs further outward into this suburban development, and would give The City of Dublin complete control over the development of this land.

    So what is the alternative?

    The creation of a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) may be one solution. A JEDD allows cities to collect income tax and receive other monies without the burden of providing city services such police and fire protection. A board of those involved in the JEDD is created, and the board enforces the agreement that has been created by the parties in the JEDD.

    The “negotiated area” of the original Columbus/Dublin agreement incorporates a total of approximately 3,000 acres of Jerome Township, Columbus could strike a deal with the Township for all 3,000 instead of this first 300.  Columbus would still provide sewer and water, however, there would not be annexations to either city. A board would be created and ideally Columbus, Dublin and Jerome would craft a deal that would address revenue sharing, land uses and development standards. The City of Charlotte, North Carolina has utilized a similar type of JEDD. Rickenbacker is another good example of the use of a JEDD.

    If this course of action is taken it would mean that the City of Columbus would still provide water and sewer utilities, the City of Dublin can still develop their Proton Center, Columbus would have more control over development in this area, it would control job poaching by Dublin, and allow revenue sharing for the City of Columbus. Of course, the income tax money would be spread out over a longer term period for both cities, but the benefits gained over a longer term partnership would prevent Columbus from flushing their existing Tech Corridor plans down the drain.

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    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
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