Explanation
BACKGROUND
The Capital Line Project is the construction of a two-mile pathway along Gay, Fourth, and Rich Streets and across the Broad and Town Street bridges to the Scioto Peninsula (“Project”). This pathway, exclusive to bike and pedestrian traffic, offers an intentional route to City attractions, connecting amenities, greenspaces, job centers, and residential neighborhoods while catalyzing new economic investment along the path. The Project involves improvements within the City’s right of way, including streetscape, parking, and lighting.
Ordinance 0141-2025 authorized the Department of Public Service to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. d/b/a Downtown Columbus, Inc for the Capital Line Project.
This agreement modification was anticipated and planned for as contribution amounts were being determined. This agreement modification seeks to include the contribution amount in the agreement. Legislation authorizing the actual encumbrance and expenditure of the contribution funds to support the project costs will be put forth at a later date.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Public Service anticipates a total project funding model of $15,000,000.00 in 2027, with the Department of Public Service contributing $10,000,000.00 and the Department of Development contributing $5,000,000.00. Separate legislation authorizing the encumbrance and expenditure of capital funds to support the local project costs will be put forth at a later date as needed.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested to allow agreement modifications to be signed timely, to allow the City to maintain the project construction schedule to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into agreement modifications with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. d/b/a Downtown Columbus, Inc. for the Capital Line Project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Service has entered into agreements with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. for the Project within the City’s right of way; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement modifications with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the project funding plan for 2027 totals $15,000,000.00, consisting of $10,000,000.00 from the Department of Public Service and $5,000,000.00 from the Department of Development; 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 said agreement modifications so that necessary financing can be secured, allowing work to begin immediately and maintaining the schedule for 2027 completion and ensure the safety of the traveling public, all 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 Director of the Department of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into agreement modifications with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, Inc. for the effectuation of the Project within the City’s right of way.
SECTION 2. That this legislation does not authorize any expenditures; financial expenditures will be subject to future appropriations by Columbus City Council.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this same.