Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design for the Linden Green Line Project. The contract amount being authorized by this ordinance is $900,000.00.
The Linden Green Line represents an unprecedented opportunity to create a 58-acre linear park through one of Central Ohio’s most park underserved areas, impacting over 131,000 nearby residents. This corridor stretches from Windsor Park, near 17th Avenue, to Cooper Park in Northland. It will feature a 10 to 12 foot wide ADA-accessible multi-use path framed by native forests, meadows, and open green spaces. It will also have more than 40 potential access points to neighboring communities. Small-scale amenities such as play spaces, gathering areas, seating, and fitness elements will be integrated throughout the trail system and will be designed with community input.
This preliminary engineering phase will establish the vision and framework for the park. It will include design concepts. It will also include access and connectivity strategies. Also included will be ecological restoration plans, preliminary plans, cost estimates, and permitting strategies. An economic development study to evaluate how the project can support neighborhoods, stimulate reinvestment, and connect residents to new opportunities will also be included.
A central component of this phase is a robust community engagement plan for the Linden and Northland Communities. Activities will include public workshops, interviews, tabling at community hubs, and guided corridor walks. Additional physical and digital outreach will also be included to ensure broad diverse participation. Input gathered through these efforts will inform design priorities, preferred amenities, and overall park planning.
Construction will be implemented in two or three phases. Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design will evaluate potential phasing limits and provide recommendations within the preliminary engineering scope. This legislation is the initial piece of several planned modifications to complete full design. The next modification for detailed design is anticipated in spring 2026. Recreation and Parks plans to bid the first phase of construction in fall 2027 and the second phase in fall 2028.
Funding for the project is well underway. Recreation and Parks received a $12 million Federal RAISE grant in mid 2025 and has approximately $15 million in LinkUS funding for construction. Altogether, the construction budget is approximately $27 million. Together with future City investment, the Linden Green Line will provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. It will also advance Columbus’ broader mobility, equity, and sustainability goals. This project will establish the corridor as both a neighborhood asset and a regional destination.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status): Bids were advertised through Vendor Services and Bonfire, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on May 13, 2025, and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on June 24, 2023. Bids were received from the following companies:
HNTB Corporation
EP Ferris and Associates
Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design
Civil Environmental Consultants
Burgess & Niple, Inc
Design Workshop, Inc
SmithGroup
Stantec
Of note, professional services contracts are quality based selections and not based on price. Costs were not requested nor were they part of this evaluation.
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design
25 Park Place, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10007
Claire Weisz, (212)219-1953
Contract Compliance Number: 052756
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: June 9, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested as this seven mile long corridor, with an anticipated total project cost of 27 million, anticipates over 24 months of documented work, including community engagement, preliminary engineering, outside agency coordination, land acquisition, detailed design, and bidding by October 2027 to comply with construction grant timelines. This complex project requires sufficient time for the design team to complete the master planning and preliminary design work, ensuring the project is thoroughly planned, community-informed, and ready for phased construction.
Benefits to the Public: This project will provide seven linear miles of trail and 58 acres of park space to the Linden and Northland Communities. It will impact over 131,000 people within a ten-minute walking and cycling distance. This project will also connect residents with neighborhoods by providing safe pedestrian and bicycle routes. Lastly, it increase access to nature and park amenities.
Community Input/Issues: Over 100 letters of support were received from various organizations and elected officials. The project team will also conduct a robust public engagement session with the community to inform planning and design.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding equitable access to parks, schools, natural areas, jobs, and civic destinations.
Fiscal Impact: $900,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 and Voted Bond Fund 7712 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure. $508,000.00 of the funds, in Voted Bond Fund 7712, will not be available to the Recreation and Parks Department until the proceeds of the 2024-2025 bond sale are available at a future date. Therefore, it is necessary to certify the required funds against the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099. Upon the sale of bonds, this will be reimbursed.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design for the Linden Green Line Project; to authorize the transfer of $508,000.00 between the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $508,000.00 in the Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $900,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund and Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($900,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design for the Linden Green Line Preliminary Engineering Project; and
WHEREAS, the City anticipates incurring certain Original Expenditures (as defined in Section 1.150-2(c) of the Treasury Regulations (the "Treasury Regulations") promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to the construction of the project described in this ordinance (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $508,000.00 between the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7712; and
WHEREAS, funds will need to be appropriated within the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 and within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7712; and
WHEREAS, the City will reimburse the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099; and
WHEREAS, this transfer should be considered as a temporary funding method; and
WHEREAS, the aggregated principal amount of obligations which the City will issue to finance this project is presently expected not to exceed $900,000.00; 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 Claire Weisz Architects LLP DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design as this seven mile long corridor, with an anticipated total project cost of 27 million, anticipates over 24 months of documented work, including community engagement, preliminary engineering, outside agency coordination, land acquisition, detailed design, and bidding by October 2027 to comply with construction grant timelines, 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 the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Claire Weisz Architects DBA WXY Architecture + Urban Design for the Linden Green Line 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said funds from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $508,000.00 is appropriated in General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, in Object Class 10 Transfer Out Operating, and in Fund 7712, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $508,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7712, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer said funds to the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712, at such time as is deemed necessary by the City Auditor, and to expend said funds, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
SECTION 8. That upon obtaining other funds from the 2024-2025 Bond Sale for the City of Columbus, the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to repay the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 the amount transferred under Section 5.
SECTION 9. That the City intends that this ordinance constitutes an "official intent" for purposes of Section 1.150 2(e) of the Treasury Regulations, and that the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for certain Original Expenditures incurred with respect to the Project from the proceeds of obligations to be issued by the City in a principal amount currently estimated to be $508,000.00 (the "Obligations"). The City intends to make a reimbursement allocation on its books for the Original Expenditures not later than eighteen months following the later to occur of the date of the Original Expenditure to be reimbursed or the date the Project for which such Original Expenditures were made is "placed in service" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 2(c). Upon the issuance of the Obligations, the proceeds of such Obligations shall be used to reimburse the fund from which the advance for costs of the Project will be made.
SECTION 10. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $900,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 and Voted Bond Fund 7712 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 11. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.