Republic file photo Columbus City Hall is shown in downtown Columbus.
City officials on Monday extended the lease with the provider that manages the Columbus Child Care Center.
With approval from the board of public works and safety, the city has entered into a three year lease with Children’s Inc. to manage the facility at 715 McClure Road.
There were “slight modifications” to the 2021 lease between the two parties, but only to clarify language, according to Paul Smith, assistant director of community development.
The agreement requires Children Inc. to deposit $2,500 monthly into a restricted capital account to be used for improvements and “depreciation of the structure in lieu of rent.”
The funds cannot be used for “programming, operating funds or regular custodial or routine maintenance or minor repairs” and any project that would cost more than $5,000 would need approval from the board of works, per the agreement.
Smith also mentioned to the board how Children Inc. will be involved with incoming affordable housing developments in Thrive Alliance’s Haw Creek Meadows and “potentially” TWG’s Flats on 14th.
The developments combined will bring 174 units of affordable housing to Columbus and are set to each have child care facilities.
In August, Kevin Johnson, executive director of Housing Partnerships at Thrive Alliance, said they had a memorandum of understanding with Children Inc. to provide daycare services at the facility, which is expected to serve up to 58 children and be open to the community.
