Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to sign an amendment to a grant agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the East Side Rail Trail Project.
Ordinance 0103-2026 authorized the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with COTA and accept funds to be used towards design of the East Side Rail Trail, located in the Mid East rea of the City. This ordinance will authorize the Director to sign an amendment, capturing updated language that clarifies that the grant funding being awarded has already been collected, and any necessary documents related to the grant agreement. The project will transform an abandoned rail corridor into a linear park and trail from East Broad Street to Livingston Avenue near Interstate 70. The three mile linear park will provide the first trail connectivity for over 17,000 nearby residents, including direct access to the COTA Linkus rapid transit network. The grant is to provide funds towards project design in 2026. A second grant agreement, authorized by a separate ordinance, will be awarded to Recreation and Parks in 2027 for construction funding to begin the rail trail.
Principal Parties:
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
33 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Garth Weithman, (614) 275-5935
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so design of the project can be completed by December 2026 to meet the project's schedule mandated by the COTA grant funding.
Benefits to the Public: This project will provide access to transit, parks, libraries, a community center, commercial centers, and jobs.
Community Input/Issues: The community has provided input to the project during the past 6 years. Extensive public engagement will continue during the 2026 design process.
Area(s) Affected: Mid East (57)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by nurturing an active and healthy community.
Fiscal Impact: Ordinance 0103-2026 authorized the acceptance and appropriation of $100,000.00 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 sign an amendment to a grant agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the East Side Rail Trail Project; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks sign an amendment to a grant agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the East Side Rail Trail Project; 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 sign the grant amendment so design of the project can be completed by December 2026 to meet the project's schedule mandated by the COTA grant funding, 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 is authorized and directed to sign an amendment to a grant agreement, authorized by Ordinance 0103-2026, with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for design of the East Side Rail Trail Project.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.