Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The United States Congress regularly includes funding for Community Project Funding/Congressional Directed Spending requests in its annual Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act. Members of Congress solicit projects from their constituent communities for consideration and potential inclusion in the final legislation.
The Department of Public Service submitted an application to Congresswoman Joyce Beatty for the following project: 540002-100113 Bikeway - Sancus Boulevard SUP - Worthington-Galena Road to Worthington Woods Boulevard. An $850,000.00 award for this project was ultimately selected for inclusion in the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations Act.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service submitted an application for the following project:
540002-100113 - Bikeway - Sancus Boulevard SUP - Worthington-Galena Road to Worthington Woods Boulevard: This project includes improvements to Sancus Boulevard to add pedestrian and bicyclist access in the form of a Shard Use Path (SUP) and includes transit stops on Sancus Boulevard and Worthington Woods Boulevard. The SUP will be installed along the west side of Sancus Boulevard from Lakeview Plaza Boulevard/Worthington-Galena Road to Worthington Woods Boulevard. The project includes a mid-block crosswalk at Cayman Lane to add street-lighting, curb ramps, drive aprons, and storm sewer.
The project fills a pedestrian and bicyclist facility gap between the northern terminus of the City of Worthington’s Northeast Gateway project and the southern terminus of the City of Columbus’ Sancus Boulevard Widening project’s southern terminus. The project ties in with the City of Columbus’ recently completed SUP project along Worthington Woods Boulevard, and the total project cost is approximately $2,473,000.00
3. FISCAL IMPACT
No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to execute grant agreements relative to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the Bikeway - Sancus Boulevard SUP - Worthington-Galena Road to Worthington Woods Boulevard project; to accept and expend awarded grant funds, and to issue refunds, if necessary, for approved projects. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has passed its FY 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act; and
WHEREAS, the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations Act includes Community Project Funding/Congressional Directed Spending funding, including an award of $850,000.00 for the Sancus Boulevard Shared Use Path; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service submitted applications seeking funds to construct improvements for the Sancus Boulevard SUP project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to execute grant agreements, accept and expend grant funds, and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting for approved projects; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute agreements and documents necessary to accept funds awarded through Congress’ Community Project Funding/Congressional Directed Spending.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to accept and expend awarded grant funds.
SECTION 3. The Department of Public Service is authorized to issue refunds of awarded or reimbursed grant funds, if necessary, after final accounting is performed or when notified by the Department of Public Service's Division of Design and Construction that a refund can be issued.
SECTION 4. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.