Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Italian Village Park Improvements Project. The contract amount is $1,122,913.00, with a contingency of $115,000.00, for a total of $1,237,913.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
Italian Village Park is a small 0.835 acre park surrounded by a tapestry of historic Italianate residences, small businesses, restaurants, and galleries. The Italian Village neighborhood and the multistory mixed-use development help characterize the Short North Arts District. The park was created in the early 1980’s through a forward thinking acquisition of undesirable and underutilized lots just a short distance from High Street, resulting in the preservation of a rare sliver of greenspace in a densely built environment.
The Italian Village Park Improvements Project involves a complete redevelopment of the park including demolition of existing hardscape, regrading, and creation of new pathways. The project will also create a stage, gathering spaces, and lawn space. The will also be planting of additional trees and landscaping. This project is largely funded by the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund (UIRF) Program administered by the Department of Development.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on June 4, 2024 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on June 25, 2024. Bids were received from the following companies:
Builderscape, Inc. (MAJ) - $1,153,013.00
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Builderscape, Inc was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Builderscape, Inc and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
As part of their bid, Builderscape, Inc has proposed the following vendors to fulfill the Office of Diversity and Inclusion project goal:
Cap-Stone & Associates, Inc. (WBE)
Certification of the MBE’s and WBE’s being proposed are in good standing at the time the bid is being awarded.
Principal Parties:
Builderscape, Inc.
10496 Parks Court
Marysville, Ohio 43040
Chris Matthews, (614) 679-2588
Contract Compliance Number: 000950
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 21, 2025
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to allow the project's construction to align with and not impact the opening a new multistory apartment building and retail space adjacent to the park, as these projects are being closely coordinated to reduce impact to all parties during construction.
Benefits to the Public: Italian Village Park is the most significant greenspace in Italian Village. Residents and visitors to Italian Village will benefit from the improved park design. The focus on preserving greenspace, providing recreational opportunities, and creating gathering space will promote safe and inclusive park use.
Community Input/Issues: A public engagement process involving open houses, stakeholder meetings, and a community survey was conducted as part of the park improvement design process.
Area(s) Affected: Italian Village (47)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by continuing to work with neighborhood groups to improve parks and by updating at least one community park per year.
Fiscal Impact: $1,237,913.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747, Special Purpose Subfund 222358, and Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Italian Village Park Improvements Project; to authorize the appropriation of $171,750.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $1,237,913.00 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund, Special Purpose Subfund, and Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,237,913.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Italian Village Park Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $171,750.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $1,237,913.00 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747, Special Purpose Subfund 222358, and Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. in order to allow the project's construction to align with and not impact the opening a new multistory apartment building and retail space adjacent to the park, as these projects are being closely coordinated to reduce impact to all parties during construction, all for the 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 the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Italian Village Park Improvements Project.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 5. That the appropriation of $171,750.00 is authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,237,913.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747, Special Purpose Subfund 222358, and Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.