Explanation
The proposed development for the former Jeffrey Manufacturing Company site at the intersection of North Fourth Street and IR-670 proposes that the westbound IR-670 off-ramp to Fourth Street be realigned from a free-flow, high-speed configuration to a signalized intersection. Accomplishing this will improve traffic safety from the development site to Fourth Street, and optimizes the development potential of this valuable central city site. Furthermore, pedestrian safety along Fourth Street will be enhanced by removing the high-speed off-ramp configuration.
Additional aesthetic enhancements such as street trees, decorative fencing, sidewalks, street lighting and decorative ground cover is proposed for the Fourth Street corridor near IR-670. These proposed enhancements are contained in the final report prepared by the Spring-Sandusky Interchange (SSI) Design Task Force. The City of Columbus entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with local historic neighborhoods for the purpose of developing and implementing a plan to mitigate the impacts of SSI to the historic neighborhoods. Realigning the existing high-speed off-ramp will enable the City to take better advantage of the aesthetic enhancements.
This legislation authorizes a $20,000.00 contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hamilton and Tilton (EMH&T) a local engineering consulting firm, for a preliminary engineering study of the off-ramp realignment. Under the proposed contract the consultant will provide traffic and geometric feasibility analysis, preliminary cost estimates and coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the intersection reconfiguration. EMH&T's contract compliance number is 31-0685594 and expires November 30, 2004.
Funds for this contract exist within the Jeffrey Housing - Streets project in the Voted 1995, 1999 Streets and Highways Fund.
This ordinance is presented as an emergency so the preliminary engineering services can proceed and development potential, and traffic and pedestrian safety can be addressed.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into a contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hamilton and Tilton (EMH&T) for a feasibility study and preliminary engineering work for the possible realignment of the westbound IR-670 off-ramp at North Fourth Street for the Transportation Division; to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the existing westbound IR-670 off-ramp at North Fourth Street allows for continuous, high-speed traffic movement; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation has realigned the westbound IR-670 on-ramp at North Fourth Street as part of its Spring-Sandusky Interchange improvements; and
WHEREAS, mixed use residential development site is proposed for the former Jeffrey Manufacturing Company site and if constructed will increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic along North Fourth Street; and
WHEREAS, the Spring-Sandusky Interchange Design Task Force has recommended certain aesthetic improvements to North Fourth Street at IR-670; and
WHEREAS, to facilitate a safer Fourth Street corridor for pedestrian, bicycle and motoring traffic, to provide the opportunity for aesthetic enhancements to the Fourth Street corridor, and to promote the development of the former Jeffrey Manufacturing Company site, the City of Columbus desires to realign the existing high-speed westbound off-ramp from IR-670 to North Fourth Street; and
WHEREAS, Evans, Mechwart, Hamilton and Tilton (EMH&T) has provided a proposal to the Transportation Division to perform preliminary engineering, feasibility analysis, preliminary cost estimates and coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, if deemed feasible, additional funding for a more detailed engineering and costs estimates will be necessary; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Transportation Division, Public Service Department, in that it is immediately necessary to conduct said preliminary engineering analysis following the September 20, 2003 opening of IR-670, 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 enter into contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hamilton and Tilton (EMH&T), 170 Mill Street, Gahanna, OH 43230 to perform preliminary engineering related to the possible realignment of the existing westbound IR-670 off-ramp at North Fourth Street.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $20,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and hereby is authorized from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Fund 704, Department No.59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6682, OCA Code 644385, Project 590408 for this purpose.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby 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.