Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Strawser Paving Co., Inc. for the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks project and to provide payment for construction, construction administration and inspection services.
This contract includes sidewalk installation where gaps occur in the existing sidewalk facilities on six streets in the South Linden area. The streets include McGuffey Road, Dresden Street, E. 24th Avenue, E. 23rd Avenue, E. 22nd Avenue, and Grasmere Avenue. Installation of the sidewalks will also include replacement of drive aprons where necessary and installation/upgrading non‐compliant curb ramps at all public intersections. Stormwater BMPs will be constructed as required as part of the project, and other work as may be necessary to complete the contract in accordance with the plans and specifications set forth in the Bid Submittal Documents.
The estimated Notice to Proceed date is July 15, 2026. The project was let by the Office of Support Services through Vendor Services and Bid Express. Three bids were received on May 21, 2026, (all majority) and tabulated as follows:
Company Name Bid Amount City/State Majority/ODI Certification
Strawser Paving Co., Inc. $1,682,045.43 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Double Z Construction Company $1,839,212.42 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Complete General Construction Co. $2,282,341.70 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Award is to be made to Strawser Paving Co., Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible and best bidder for their bid of $1,682,045.43. The amount of construction administration and inspection services will be $185,025.00. The total legislated amount is $1,867,070.43.
As part of their bid Strawser Paving Co., Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to work on the project:
Company Name City/State Majority/ODI Certification
Mid-West Landscape, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
M.P. Dory Co. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Complete General Construction Co. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Axe Tree, LLC Marysville, Ohio MAJ
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
The contract compliance number for Strawser Paving Co., Inc. is CC006114 and expires 1/9/27.
3. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Strawser Paving Co., Inc. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $1,867,070.43 is a budgeted expense within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budgetary authority within the proper project. The funds are appropriated.
5. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to begin work as early as possible within the construction season, in support of a timely completion and to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
Title
To amend the 2025 Capital Improvement budget; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Strawser Paving Co., Inc. for the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,867,070.43 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for the project; and to declare an emergency. ($1,867,070.43)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, the work for this project consists of sidewalk installation where gaps occur in the existing sidewalk facilities on six streets in the South Linden area. The streets include McGuffey Road, Dresden Street, E. 24th Avenue, E. 23rd Avenue, E. 22nd Avenue, and Grasmere Avenue. Installation of the sidewalks will also include replacement of drive aprons where necessary and installation/upgrading non‐compliant curb ramps at all public intersections. Stormwater BMPs will be constructed as required as part of the project; and other work as may be necessary to complete the contract in accordance with the plans and specifications set forth in the Bid Submittal Documents; and
WHEREAS, Strawser Paving Co., Inc. will be awarded the contract for the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks project for construction expense along with construction administration and inspection services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to establish authority within the correct project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,867,070.43 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for this contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Strawser Paving Co., Inc. to ensure timely completion of the project and to ensure the safety of the travelling public, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P440005-100000 / Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund (Voted Carryover) / $3,148,147.00 / ($1,867,071.00) / $1,281,076.00
7704 / P440005-100070 / Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / $1,867,071.00 / $1,867,071.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into a construction services contract with Strawser Paving Co., Inc., 1595 Frank Road, Columbus, Ohio 43223, for the Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks project in the amount of up to $1,682,045.43 in accordance with the specifications and plans on file in the Office of Support Services, which are hereby approved; and to pay for necessary construction administration and inspection costs associated with the project up to a maximum of $185,025.00.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $1,867,070.43, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P440005-100070 (Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund - South Linden Sidewalks), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 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.