Explanation
Prior to the start of the B-1 Phase of the I-670 construction, the B-1 Design Task Force requested that Poplar Avenue east of High Street to Pearl Street be abandoned as dedicated public right-of-way by the City of Columbus and that an urban pedestrian mall be constructed in place of this right-of-way for the purposes of providing pedestrian access to the business fronting on Poplar Avenue, providing outdoor seating areas for patrons and employees of the Short North and High Street Cap businesses and enhancing the aesthetic character of the neighborhood. As a part of the I-670 work, vehicular access to Poplar Avenue was permanently closed off and the proposed urban pedestrian mall was constructed. The following legislation abandons that portion of Poplar Avenue from the east right-of-way line of North High Street to the west right-of-way line of Pearl Street as dedicated public right-of-way and authorizes the transfer of this asset from the Public Service Department to the Recreation and Parks Department.
Title
To abandon that portion of Poplar Avenue from the east right-of-way line of North High Street to the west right-of-way line of Pearl Street as dedicated public right-of-way; and to authorize the transfer of this asset from the Public Service Department to the Recreation and Parks Department.
Body
WHEREAS, prior to the start of the B-1 Phase of the I-670 construction, the B-1 Design Task Force requested that Poplar Avenue east of High Street to Pearl Street be abandoned as dedicated public right-of-way by the City; and
WHEREAS, the B-1 Design Task Force requested that an urban pedestrian mall be constructed in place of this dedicated public right-of-way for the purposes of providing pedestrian access to the business fronting on Poplar Avenue, providing outdoor seating areas for patrons and employees of the Short North and High Street Cap businesses and enhancing the aesthetic character of the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, as a part of the I-670 work vehicular access to Poplar Avenue was permanently closed off and the proposed urban pedestrian mall was constructed; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Recreation and Parks Department, has agreed to accept this urban pedestrian mall from the Public Service Department; and
WHEREAS, the following legislation abandons that portion of Poplar Avenue from the east right-of-way line of North High Street to the west right-of-way line of Pearl Street as dedicated public right-of-way and authorizes the transfer of this asset from the Public Service Department to the Recreation and Parks Department; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Poplar Avenue from the east right-of-way line of North High Street to the west right-of-way line of Pearl Street, be and hereby is abandoned as public right-of-way.
Section 2. That this excess right-of-way shall become an urban pedestrian mall.
Section 3. That control of this asset shall be transferred from the Public Service Department to the Recreation and Parks Department.
Section 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.