Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Playground Renovations 2025-2026 - Lazelle and Warner Woods Project. The contract amount is $1,060,813.00, with a contingency of $106,081.30, for a total of $1,166,894.30. An additional $3,000.00 is being authorized for interdepartmental inspections and fees for a total of $1,169,894.30 being authorized by this ordinance.
The playground renovations program is a yearly construction project that focuses on replacing and improving playgrounds that are beyond their service life. The 2026 project is focused on providing safe and accessible play for children throughout the city.
For this project, Lazelle Woods will include a playground designed for universal accessibility. The playground will have ramps, rubber surfacing, and equipment for users with diverse play needs and varying levels of mobility. A portion of the Warner Woods playground will be replaced due to subsurface conditions making the tile play surfacing inaccessible. This section will be converted to engineered wood fiber surfacing. The improved playground will also include a new larger swing structure with accessible swing seats.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions:
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on August 4, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on August 25, 2026. Bids were received from the following companies:
Builderscape, Inc.: $1,060,813.00
2K General: $1,117,350.00
Ironsite, Inc.: $1,122,104.30
Setterlin Building Company: $1,080,250.00
Advanced Concepts, Inc.: $1,236,907.00
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.
Principal Parties:
Builderscape, Inc.
10496 Parks Court
Marysville, Ohio 43040
Chris Matthews, (614) 889-2533
Contract Compliance Number: 000950
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: February 22, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to allow for the 16 week lead time for the playground equipment, staying on schedule for completion by summer 2027.
Benefits to the Public: Safe and accessible playgrounds are one of the core priorities of the Recreation and Parks Department. The department monitors the life span of play spaces routinely to make sure that safe and quality equipment is provided to the public.
Community Input/Issues: There have been community requests as well as area commission meetings intended to discuss playground improvements. The community has asked the department to provide more up to date playground equipment that will accommodate increased accessibility and socialization.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving park amenities that support health, wellness, and universal safe access to active lifestyles.
Fiscal Impact: $1,169,894.30 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Playground Renovations 2025-2026 - Lazelle and Warner Woods Project; to authorize the appropriation of $372,108.01 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the transfer of $1,169,894.30 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $1,169,894.30 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,169,894.30)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Playground Renovations 2025-2026 - Lazelle and Warner Woods Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $372,108.01 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $1,169,894.30 within the Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $1,169,894.30 from the Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; 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 Builderscape, Inc. to allow for the 16 week lead time for the playground equipment, staying on schedule for completion by summer 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 Builderscape, Inc. for the Playground Renovations 2025-2026 - Lazelle and Warner Woods 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 $372,108.01 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 $1,169,894.30, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,169,894.30, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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.