Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Alkire Road Park Development Project. The contract amount is $1,401,813.00, with alternates of $6,000.00 and a contingency of $100,000.00, for a total of $1,507,813.00. An additional $2,000.00 is being authorized for interdepartmental inspections and fees for a total of $1,509,813.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
In 2007, Recreation and Parks acquired 110 acres of former farmland on the city’s west side, near the Village of Galloway. The property is located within the Big Darby Tier One Environmental Preservation areas and is considered a key preservation site on the boundary of Columbus and the Big Darby Watershed. As part of the acquisition, 25 acres of land was set aside for a future neighborhood park for Columbus residents in the Laurel Greene and Southwest Airport neighborhoods.
Upon completion, the park will feature a 7,900 square foot playground, a rustic timber open-air shelter, and an asphalt path connecting to the Camp Chase Trail and neighboring developments. The park will also include a meandering natural surface walking loop, open green spaces, strategically placed benches, and a well-designed park drive leading to a modest parking lot. The thoughtful design of the park aims to not only provide recreational amenities. It will also aim to showcase and protect the inherent beauty of the existing bluestem meadow, forested areas, and wetlands. These improvements will elevate the overall user experience.
Construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 2024 and is expected to be completed by the late fall of 2024. This initiative not only reflects the Recreation and Parks Department’s commitment to community well-being but also emphasizes sustainable development practices in creating a harmonious balance between recreation and environmental preservation.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on November 13, 2023 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on December 19, 2023. Bids were received from the following companies:
Builderscape, Inc. (MAJ): $1,401,813
Ironsite, Inc. (MAJ): $1,463,325.41
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Builderscape, Inc. was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Builderscape, Inc. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
As part of their bid, Builderscape, Inc. has proposed the following vendors to fulfill the Office of Diversity and Inclusion project goal:
CAP-Stone & Associates (WBE)
Certification of the MBE’s and WBE’s being proposed are in good standing at the time the bid is being awarded.
Principal Parties:
Builderscape, Inc.
10496 Parks Court
Marysville, Ohio 43040
Chris Matthews, (614) 873-3633
Contract Compliance Number: 000950
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 21, 2025
Benefits to the Public: The Alkire Road Park project will become a significant park for the Westland Neighborhood. The scale of this project will allow for direct neighborhood connections to preserved prairie land, open green space, a new playground, and connectivity to the Camp Chase Trail.
Community Input/Issues: The Westland Area Commission has been advocating for the development of Alkire Park for several years. Community input was gathered during the planning phases with the Westland Area Commission, the Darby Accord Advisory Group, and Prairie Township.
Area(s) Affected: Westland (52)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by providing quality recreational parks, trails and easy, all-age connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: $1,509,813.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Alkire Park Development Project; to authorize the appropriation of $690,984.77 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the transfer of $736,195.16 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget; and to authorize the expenditure of $1,509,813.00 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund and Voted Bond Fund. ($1,509,813.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Alkire Road Park Development Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $690,984.77 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $736,195.16 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1711-2023 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $1,509,813.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Alkire Road Park Development Project, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Alkire Park Development 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 the appropriation of $690,984.77 is authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $736,195.16 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1711-2023 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P512017-100000 / John Burroughs Park Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $20,681 / $20,681 / $20,681 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P512021-100000 / Aquatics Capital Improvement Program 2020 (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $184,786 / $184,786 / $184,786 (to match cash)
Fund 7747 / P510752 - 100000 / Westland - Parkland Dedication (Carryover) / $189,305 / $189,305 / $142,875 / $332,180 / $332,180 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P512003-100000 / West Case Road Park Development (Voted Carryover) / $3,530,000 / $2,155,000 / ($471,151) / $3,058,849 / $1,683,849
Fund 7702 / P512014-100000 / Downtown Connector Trail Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $59,578 / $59,578 / ($59,578) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P512017-100000 / John Burroughs Park Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $20,681 / $20,681 / ($20,681) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P512021-100000 / Aquatics Capital Improvement Program 2020 (Voted Carryover) / $184,786 / $184,786 / ($184,786) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P512038-100000 / Alkire Park Development (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $736,196 / $736,196 / $736,196
SECTION 8. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,509,813.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.