Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group for the East Side Rail Trail Phase 1 Project. The contract amount is $377,600.00 with a contingency of $12,400.00, for a total of $390,000.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
In 2023, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department acquired a three-mile former rail corridor to improve connectivity for residents. Approximately 17,000 residents live within a short distance of the abandoned rail corridor. The project will improve safe off-road access to parks, jobs, schools, a community center, and transit. The Recreation and Parks Department will coordinate with the City of Whitehall and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to connect with existing and planned transportation infrastructure. The corridor intersects East Broad Street, East Main Street, and Livingston Avenue. The Department is working with COTA to improve access to transit stops. The Recreation and Parks Department has been awarded a grant of $100,000.00 from COTA to support this work. This inner-city area has no viable stream corridors. It also has limited access to green spaces, community parks, walking paths, and biking amenities for active transportation. The project will address these gaps by creating a 3-mile linear park with a multi-use trail from East Broad Street to Bostwick Road near South Livingston Avenue and Interstate 70.
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 January 21, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on February 17, 2026. Bids were received from the following companies:
Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group
DLZ
American Structurepoint
Kimley Horn
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 Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group
1801 Watermark Drive, Suite 210
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Kevin Grathwol, (614) 588-8957
Contract Compliance Number: 006560
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: June 23, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to meet the COTA LinkUS grant requirements as the funds must be expended by December 2026.
Benefits to the Public: The project will improve access to trails and key destinations for residents. These improvements will provide safe off-road connections to neighborhoods, parks, jobs, schools, and transit. The project will significantly improve connectivity for communities on the east side of Columbus.
Community Input/Issues: Improved access to trails and key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by Columbus residents. The Recreation and Parks Department will continue to conduct public engagement with residents to inform project planning and design. Resident input will be used to guide development of the master plan.
Area(s) Affected: Mid-East (57)
Master Plan Relation: The project supports the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways. The project will provide safe and equitable access to the trail system for underserved communities.
Fiscal Impact: $390,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 and Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns and Dehaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group for the East Side Rail Trail Project; to authorize the expenditure of $390,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund and Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($390,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group for the East Side Rail Trail Phase 1 Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $390,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Grant Fund 2283 and Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract to ensure compliance with the COTA LinkUS grant requirements as the funds must be expended by December 2026, 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 Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns and Dehaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group for the East Side Rail Trail 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 for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $390,000.00 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 7702, in object class 06 Capital Outlay, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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.