The city of Columbus has hired a consultant to assist with the purchase of FairOaks Mall for a planned community recreational and sports tourism complex.
The Columbus Board of Works on Tuesday agreed to hire Tom Brosey, a retired Cummins Inc. employee, to assist with the transaction and plans for the mall property.
Under terms of the agreement that will run through December 2019, Brosey will earn $55 per hour up to 100 hours a month, said Mary Ferdon, executive director of administration and community development with the city.
Brosey will evaluate the site plan of the mall and work with the mall’s management company that oversees tenants within the building, Ferdon said.
Brosey worked as an account executive at Cummins Inc. and later served as president of LHP Technologies. With business partner David Westenberger, Brosey founded Mission Management Services of Columbus, to assist nonprofits with organizational assessments, financial management, human resources support, marketing strategy and business planning. Brosey took over leadership of Mission Management in 2012.
He also served as interim director of the Bartholomew County Historical Society and as director of business operations at Foundation for Youth. His community service work includes various leadership roles with the United Way of Bartholomew County, including board chair through 2017.
Brosey, a native of Dayton, Ohio, will begin his assignment with the city immediately.
The city announced last month it intends to purchase the mall located at 25th Street and Central Avenue for $5.9 million through a partnership with Columbus Regional Health and a grant from the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
Mayor Jim Lienhoop said the city expects to finalize the purchase of the mall by December.
The city’s share of the $4,087,500 purchase price represents 75 percent of the $5.45 million appraised value. Columbus Regional Health will pay $1,362,500, or 25 percent of the appraised value. The Heritage Fund will provide a $450,000 grant, which reflects the difference between the selling price and the mall’s appraised value.
The city’s share will be paid through a combination of city resources, including Economic Development Income Tax revenues, Parks and Recreation Department funds and Rainy Day Fund monies, Ferdon said.
The city’s purchase will have to go before the Columbus City Council for approval during a meeting yet to be determined, Ferdon said.
