Explanation
Construction of the Spring Sandusky Interchange (SSI) that was completed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in October 2003 required that the City of Columbus enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ODOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (OSHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). The MOA required that the City of Columbus mitigate traffic impacts created by the construction of SSI on abutting historic neighborhoods as recognized by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. A multiyear Overall Traffic Management Plan (OTMP) was finalized in 2003 with neighborhood input. This plan detailed the design and installation of traffic mitigation devices throughout neighborhoods east of the Olentangy River that surround the SSI project. The plan is designed to promote neighborhood livability and pedestrian friendliness and calls for construction of gateway features at the perimeter of the neighborhoods and medians, landscaping, pavement and drainage improvements, curb ramps, textured pavement for bike crossings, traffic control signing/striping, street lighting, new curbs and other improvements.
The construction of gateway medians will be constructed in phases as designs are completed. The Public Service Department budgeted $400,000.00 within its 2006 capital improvement budget for the initial construction phases of these traffic mitigation features. Phase one established the construction of the Third Avenue and Collins Avenue gateway medians that are to be under construction by the end of the year.
Phase two will construct gateway medians on King Avenue near Battelle Boulevard between Perry Street and Cannon Drive and on Fifth Avenue from Perry Street to the Olentangy River in early 2007 with construction estimated to cost approximately $265,000.00. The Fifth Avenue median west of Perry Street incorporates a crosswalk from Battelle's parking lot to the Battelle campus. This median will be used as a pedestrian refuge island. Battelle has requested an additional median to be constructed on Fifth Avenue just east of the Olentangy River bridge at the western edge of their campus and has agreed to pay for the construction cost of this additional median that was not specified in the OTMP. Battelle has agreed to use a portion of the funding from their grant to cover the landscaping cost at King Avenue near Battelle Boulevard.
This legislation authorizes the Public Service Director to accept a grant from Battelle Memorial Institute in the amount of $105,000.00 for the construction of Fifth Avenue and King Avenue Gateway medians required under terms and conditions of the Spring Sandusky Interchange (SSI-OTMP) and authorizes the Director to execute an agreement with Battelle that outlines the responsibilities of each party. Battelle will donate $50,000.00 in 2006 with the $55,000.00 balance being donated in early 2007 when the project will be bid for construction.
Fiscal Impact: The City will assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the total cost of the project not covered by the Battelle Memorial Institute funding. The City will be the lead agent for this project. No financial participation is required by the City at this time, however; a capital budget line item of $400,000.00 will be available to cover any additional construction costs not covered by the grant from Battelle at the time the project is bid.
Emergency action is requested to keep this project on schedule and budget.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to accept a $105,000.00 grant from Battelle Memorial Institute for construction of the Fifth Avenue and King Avenue gateway medians on behalf of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division; to authorize the Public Service Director to enter into an agreement with Battelle to memorialize both parties' responsibilities for Spring Sandusky Interchange Overall Traffic Management Plan traffic mitigation efforts and to declare an emergency. ($105,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City has identified the need for and proposes the improvement of a portion of public roadway which is described as follows:
Fifth Avenue - Perry Street to Olentangy River and King Avenue between Perry Street and Cannon Drive, with improvements to include medians, landscaping, pavement and drainage improvements, textured pavement for bike crossings, traffic control signing/striping, street lighting, new curbs and other improvements
with portions of said roadway improvements within the municipal corporation limits being hereinafter referred to as the improvement; and
WHEREAS, the City further desires cooperation from Battelle Memorial Institute in the design and construction of said improvement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to provide consent for this project so it can proceed according to the established timelines, thereby preserving 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 Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to accept a grant of $105,000.00 from Battelle Memorial Institute for the Fifth Avenue and King Avenue gateway medians on behalf of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division.
SECTION 2. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into an agreement with Battelle to memorialize both parties' responsibilities for Spring Sandusky Interchange Overall Traffic Management Plan traffic mitigation efforts.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.