Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Gender Road Park and McCoy Park Improvements Project. There is no funding increase involved with this modification at this time. Future legislation will modify this contract to add funding once the revised scope is realized and the existing purchase order is exhausted.
In June of 2023, Ordinance 1418-2023 authorized the Director to enter into contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to provide architectural and engineering services for the Gender Road Park and McCoy Park Improvements Project, in the amount of $413,402.82. The project involved master planning, conceptual design, park programming, and public engagement. The contract had a planned first modification, Ordinance 1031-2024, in June 2024 for an additional $1,200,000.00 to complete the detailed design phase and furnish complete construction documents.
This second modification does not add additional funds to the project but revises the scope of work to be completed using the remaining $449,204.60 on the contract and extends the contract through December 31, 2027. With McCoy Park likely being leased in its entirety to the Confluence Community Authority (the NCA) and then subleased to NEWCO for the purposes of a National Women’s Soccer League training facility, it is necessary for Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to provide master planning, conceptual design, park programming, and public engagement related to alternative sites where community park amenities can be provided in Southwest Columbus. It is also important to identify alternative sites where therapeutic recreation offerings can be made available for all Columbus residents. A third and final modification will be forthcoming in order to provide detailed design and construction documents for recreation amenities for at least one alternative site. The original project completion date of the project was December 31, 2026. The modified project completion date, as a result of the proposed modification, will be December 31, 2027.
Amount of Additional Funds: $0.00
Why Additional Services Were Not Foreseen: At the time of the original contract and its first planned modification, McCoy Park was parkland within the Columbus Recreation and Parks portfolio and was the site for one of two planned park improvements scoped within the contract. It was not until the passing of Ordinance 1112-2026, which made McCoy Park the proposed site of a new professional women's soccer training facility, that McCoy Park became unavailable for the planned improvements. It is now necessary to develop plans for alternate sites.
Why It Is Not In The Best Interest For The City To Award Additional Services Through Another Procurement Process: It is not feasible to award additional services through another procurement process due to the timelines established in Ordinance 1112-2026. This ordinance states that the Director of Recreation and Parks shall form a working group within fifteen days of acquisition of a National Women’s Soccer League franchise to develop plans to fulfill the expanded recreation and park opportunities and therapeutic recreation concepts originally envisioned for McCoy Park in Southwest Columbus. It also states that the working group shall issue a public report of options or plans to Columbus City Council within sixty days of formation, which shall outline subsequent ordinances and actions to allow for initial groundbreaking of some recreation and parks opportunities by the end of 2026 with completion of the full concept by the end of 2027.
If the department were to follow a traditional procurement schedule, the legislation could not be approved before the July Council recess, which would result in an immediate failure to meet the above timeframe. It is also impractical to select another professional service provider, as Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. is already in the midst of the design development for many of the same amenities that will now be planned at alternative sites. This modification will allow design to progress without interruption.
How The Price For The Additional Services Was Determined: The contract modification will use the established hourly rates in the existing contract.
Principal Parties:
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
7965 North High Street, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Chris Hice, (380) 215-0732
Contract Compliance Number: 024725
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: February 3, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to meet the end of June 2026 deadline established by Ordinance 1112-2026, Development Agreement for the National Women’s Soccer League, for the identification of alternative sites to replace the plans for McCoy Park.
Benefits to the Public: The park improvements will provide new therapeutic recreation amenities that have citywide benefits and new park opportunities for residents in the Southwest Columbus Community. This community is currently underserved by recreation and park amenities, has some of the highest rates of poverty, and has the lowest life expectancies in the City of Columbus.
Community Input/Issues: The Southwest Community and therapeutic recreation participants were heavily involved in master planning and design phases for the original plans at McCoy Park. They will be involved in public engagement again for the alternate sites.
Area(s) Affected: Southwest (59), Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Columbus Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding programs and places that foster wellness. It will also address health vulnerabilities and disparities. This project will also develop space for adaptive and therapeutic recreation programs.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is required at this time. Future legislation will modify this contract to add funding once the revised scope is realized and the existing purchase order is exhausted.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to extend the contract term through December 31, 2027 to allow for continued architectural and engineering services for the Gender Road Park and McCoy Park Improvements Project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Gender Road Park and McCoy Park Improvements 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 modify the existing contract with Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc. in order to meet the end of June 2026 deadline established by Ordinance 1112-2026, Development Agreement for the National Women’s Soccer League, for the identification of alternative sites to replace the plans for McCoy Park, 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 modify the existing contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., to extend the contract term through December 31, 2027 to allow for continued architectural and engineering services for the Gender Road Park and McCoy Park Improvements 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 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.