Explanation
Background: The Department of Recreation and Parks annually coordinates the temporary installation of seasonal lighting features to illuminate Bicentennial Park and the Promenade along the Scioto River during the winter season. This tradition enhances the downtown public park space for local citizens and visitors to enjoy at a time when landscape features are dormant. Local businesses benefit from the increased foot traffic and the unique experience that the lighting provides.
2024 offers a unique experience to complement the Bicentennial Park’s new winter fountain features that were incorporated during the recent reconstruction project.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
N/A
Principal Parties:
Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (dba Downtown Columbus Inc.)
150 South Front Street, Suite 210
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Nick Stefanik, (614) 545-4700
Contract Compliance Number:
Contract Compliance Expiration Date:
Emergency Justification: Emergency Legislation is being requested in order to adhere to the installation schedule (10/24/24-11/2/24) and illumination date (11/22/24) established by DCI and CRPD to align winter festivities and activations in the downtown park spaces.
Benefits to the Public: This annual tradition enhances the downtown public park space for local citizens and visitors to enjoy throughout the winter season. Local businesses will benefit from the annual tradition of lighting the promenade.
Community Input/Issues: DCI has been a long-term partner in this annual tradition. Our shared interest in enhancing downtown public space will be further strengthened by maintaining this tradition.
Area(s) Affected: Bicentennial Park and Promenade
Number of residents will be served by this legislation: Downtown Columbus is currently home to more than 11,000 residents, in addition, CRPD annually receives emails and has social media interactions with people from throughout central Ohio who visit Bicentennial Park during the winter.
Master Plan Relation: Enhance public parks, develop relationships with local organizations, encourage economic growth
Fiscal Impact: None
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into an agreement with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (dba Downtown Columbus Inc.), an Ohio not-for-profit organization (hereinafter called “DCI”)., lasting from October 24, 2024 and expiring on March 2, 2025, in regards to the annual tradition of winter lighting in Bicentennial Park and the Promenade in order to enhance the downtown experience. DCI will coordinate, on CRPD’s behalf, with third party service providers to furnish, install and maintain winter lighting for the upcoming winter season, and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus (“City”) owns and operates Bicentennial Park and the Promenade depicted in Exhibit A and hereinafter identified as “Premises”; and
WHEREAS, Parties share a common interest in the public enjoyment of Bicentennial Park and the Promenade; and
WHEREAS, It has been an annual tradition since the opening of the Premises for the City to coordinate a temporary installation of winter lighting to enhance the downtown experience; and
WHEREAS, CRPD desires to allow DCI to coordinate, on its behalf, with third party service providers to furnish, install and maintain winter lighting for the upcoming season; and
WHEREAS, Parties agree this agreement shall commence with an effective date of October 24, 2024 and expire on March 2, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into an agreement with DCI to ensure timely installation of winter lighting closest to the agreement start date of October 24, 2024 and illumination date of November 22, 2024 to align winter festivities and activations in the downtown park spaces, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That permission is hereby granted to the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into agreement Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (dba Downtown Columbus Inc.) to coordinate installation of winter lighting at Bicentennial Park and the Promenade as attached hereto in Exhibit A and in accordance with the timeline attached hereto in Exhibit B.
SECTION 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approve by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.