Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to support the Big Walnut Trail - Little Turtle to Cherrybottom Park Project and accept a grant in the amount of $7,092,344.00.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department received grant funding approval in June 2021 from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for Transportation Alternative Program funding to build a section of the Big Walnut Trail from the Little Turtle Community to the Alum Creek Trail in Cherrybottom Park. This grant will provide up to 70 percent of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of $7,092,344.00. The total project currently is estimated to be $12,020,424.26. The project is anticipated to enter into construction in Fall 2026.
This project will build significant trail infrastructure in the northeast area of Columbus. This trail includes an underpass beneath State Route 161, a direct connection to Blendon Woods Metro Park, a stream crossing to connect the Northland Neighborhood on the west side of the river, and a section of trail along Sunbury Road linking to the Alum Creek Trail. Over 15,000 Columbus residents live in neighborhoods served by this new trail section. Once completed, the trail will connect residents to retail, health care, and over 40,000 jobs at major destinations, including Easton and the North Hamilton Road mixed use corridor.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), District 6
400 East William Street
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Eric Petee, (740) 833-8364, Eric.Petee@dot.ohio.gov
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to execute the Local-Let Project Agreement (LPA) prior to ODOT plan review, keeping the project on schedule for fall 2026 bidding.
Benefits to the Public: Access to trails and key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by Columbus residents. Some communities in northeast Columbus currently have no regional trail access. This project will provide connectivity to the regional trail network for over 15,000 residents, connecting to six parks and over 24 miles of the existing Alum Creek trail. These connections will allow easier access to major employment centers with an estimated 40,000 jobs.
Community Input/Issues: The Recreation and Parks Department has received letters of support from the community, civic associations, and trail users. Central Ohio Greenways and the Northland Area Coalition have expressed their support.
Area(s) Affected: Rocky-Fork-Blacklick (33), Northland (35), Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Columbus Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors while providing safe east-west connections to the regional trail network for nearby neighborhoods.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the acceptance and appropriation of $7,092,344.00 in grant funds in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once the project is ready to move forward.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to support the Big Walnut Trail - Little Turtle to Cherrybottom Park Project and accept a grant in the amount of $7,092,344.00; to authorize the appropriation of $7,092,344.00 in the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($7,092,344.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a grant in the amount of $7,092,344.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to support the Big Walnut Trail - Little Turtle to Cherrybottom Park Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $7,092,344.00 to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund; 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 a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in order to execute the Local-Let Project Agreement (LPA) prior to ODOT plan review, keeping the project on schedule for fall 2026 bidding, 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. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized and directed to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to support the Big Walnut Trail - Little Turtle to Cherrybottom Park Project and accept a grant in the amount of $7,092,344.00. Future legislation will be prepared to expend these funds once the project is ready to move forward.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, the sum of $7,092,344.00 is appropriated to the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 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 this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.