Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the amendment of Ordinance No. 2394-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on Oct. 6, 2025, which authorized the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects. The amount being authorized by this ordinance was $2,000,000.00.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens requested capital support from the City of Columbus in 2024 and 2025 to fund the following projects.
$1,000,000.00 is intended to support the initial phases of the Palm House project, with anticipated requests for construction support in upcoming years. The City’s support will leverage private giving in 2024. All of the planned upgrades to the historic buildings will drive revenue and also provide opportunities for robust education, plant collections conservation, and a more rentable, enjoyable space for decades to come.
$500,000.00 is designated toward improving the overall guest experience through upgrades such as Children's Garden improvements and important security system upgrades.
The Conservatory is also allocating $500,000.00 to the area of greatest need based on timing, project size, cost and equipment lead-time needed within the following types of priority projects that would best elevate the guest experience and therefore support earned revenue generation.
• Major equipment replacement, renovation or expansion, (examples: emergency generator, HVAC units, plumbing and electrical)
• Parking lot, road and pathways replacement or renovations (examples: asphalt, pavers, or concrete)
• Atrium flooring and furniture replacement
• Safety and security upgrades continued from 2024 initial phase (examples: replace cameras, systems and security vehicle)
It has been determined that it is beneficial for the Franklin Park Conservatory to perform the administration of these projects to allow for the least disruption to the daily operations of Conservatory business. The funds will be used to reimburse the Conservatory for expenditures in conjunction with these projects as part of the implementation of the Master Plan for the Conservatory and Franklin Park.
An amendment is required to authorize advancement of funds per a pre-determined schedule to be provided in the terms of the agreement and specify that a grant agreement shall be drafted to govern the funds.
Principal Parties:
Franklin Park Conservatory Joint Recreation District
1777 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43203
Bruce Harkey, (614) 715-8000
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow the City to reimburse the Franklin Park Conservatory as soon as possible as plans for the park are moving forward and work has commenced.
Benefits to the Public: These improvements will benefit the community by enhancing the visitor experience, creating a more attractive destination for Central Ohio residents and beyond. Franklin Park, The Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens are an asset to the entire Central Ohio community.
Community Input Issues: The Community has expressed a desire for cultural enrichment and improvements to parks available to residents through workshops, surveys, and direct contact with staff.
Area(s) Affected: Near East (56) - The entire City of Columbus, Central Ohio, and beyond will benefit from these improvements, adding to the quality of life for citizens and creating an attractive environment for industry.
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by enhancing the quality of life of our citizens. The Master Plan’s focus on creating improved facilities and parks is supported by these improvements.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact with this amendment.
Title
To amend Ordinance No. 2394-2025 to authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Franklin Park Conservatory; to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule as provided for in the terms of the agreement; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the need exists to amend Ordinance No. 2394-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on Oct. 6, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance authorized the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects and authorized $2,000,000.00 in city funds to pay toward the project; and
WHEREAS, an amendment is required to authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Columbus Museum of Art and authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks to amend Ordinance No. 2394-2025 in order to prevent any delay of the construction project which could result in increased expense, 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. Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2394-2025 is hereby amended as follows with additions underlined and deletions struck through:
“SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract a Grant Agreement with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects.
SECTION 2. That the existing Section 12 of Ordinance No. 2394-2025 shall be re-numbered Section 13 and a new Section 12 shall be added as follows:
“SECTION 12. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to advance funds on a pre-determined schedule provided in the terms of the Grant Agreement authorized in Section 1.”
SECTION 3. That the existing Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2394-2025 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. 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 which shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes it.