Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Advanced Civil Design, Inc., for the Joan Park and Freedom Park Improvements Project. The contract amount is $375,000.00, with a contingency of $52,000.00, for a total of $427,000.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
This project will support planning and design work for improvements at Joan Park and Freedom Park. The goal is to create safe, welcoming, and active neighborhood parks that are more inclusive in serving the whole community. Improvements will help increase opportunities for recreation, outdoor activity, and connection to nature.
Joan Park is a 4-acre neighborhood park located in Northeast Columbus. The park currently includes a basketball court and walking path that serves nearby residents in the Mulbur Park and Mulbur Heights neighborhoods. The site also contains a stormwater basin maintained by the City of Columbus. The project will study how the park can better support recreation and community use while improving the overall appearance and functionality of the space.
Freedom Park is an 8.33-acre neighborhood park located in the Westland Community. Existing features include a playground, gazebo, walking path, open field space, parking lot, and mature trees. The park is connected to nearby neighborhoods and the Camp Chase Trail by sidewalks and shared-use paths along Norton Road. The project will evaluate opportunities to improve park amenities, increase accessibility, and create more spaces for recreation and gathering.
Public input will be an important part of the planning process. Residents and community stakeholders will help identify park needs and priorities so the final designs reflect the interests of the surrounding neighborhoods. Planning and early design work is expected to begin in June 2026. Final construction documents are anticipated to be completed by Fall 2027 to support future construction bidding and implementation.
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 February 26, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on March 19, 2026. Bids were received from the following companies:
Advanced Civil Design Inc.
Civil Environmental Consultants
Columbus Architectural Studios
GAI Consultants, Inc.
Latus Studios
Mark A. Schieber Associates
MKSK Inc.
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 Advanced Civil Design, Inc., be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Advanced Civil Design, Inc.
781 Science Boulevard, Suite 100
Gahanna, Ohio 43230
Jason Sanson, (614) 428-7750
Contract Compliance Number: 052310
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: April 16, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to meet grant funding requirements which require the construction documents be ready for bidding by Fall 2027.
Benefits to the Public: Nearly 1,800 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Freedom Park and approximately 2,500 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Joan Park. This project will improve access to safe and welcoming outdoor spaces for the nearby community. Planned improvements will support healthier neighborhoods by expanding recreation opportunities and creating more inviting spaces for residents. The project will also increase tree canopy and shade in the park.
Community Input/Issues: The planning phase of this project will include multiple opportunities for community input at both Joan Park and Freedom Park. Residents will be able to participate through public meetings, stakeholder discussions, and online engagement opportunities. Feedback received through resident 311 requests and staff reports will also help guide the planning and design process.
Area(s) Affected: Northeast (41), Westland (52)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by nurturing an active and healthy community. It will also encourage connections between destinations and community spaces, creating welcoming parks for all residents.
Fiscal Impact: $427,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks 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 Advanced Civil Design, Inc., for the Joan Park and Freedom Park Improvements-Design Project; to authorize the expenditure of $427,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($427,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Advanced Civil Design, Inc. for the Joan Park and Freedom Park Improvements-Design Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $427,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; 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 enter into contract with Advanced Civil Design, Inc., in order to meet grant funding requirements which require the construction documents be ready for bidding by Fall 2027, 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 Advanced Civil Design, Inc. for the Joan Park and Freedom 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 for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $427,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks 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.