The Columbus City Council approved a grant agreement authorizing up to $500,000.00 for The Refuge, Inc., aimed at constructing a new 13,700 square foot residential facility. This facility will house their Residential Addiction Recovery Program within the Hilltop neighborhood on Columbus' Westside. The project site is situated on The Refuge’s existing, wholly-owned property. The Refuge, established in 1999, is a faith-based addiction recovery organization with a specific focus on the Westside, including Franklinton and The Hilltop. The ordinance permits the expenditure from the Development Taxable Bond Fund, allowing for advanced payments and reimbursement of expenses incurred from January 1, 2025, prior to formal purchase order execution. The Council declared an emergency to ensure the immediate availability of funds for construction before the end of the current year, citing the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare.