Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with HNTB Ohio, Inc. for the Big Walnut Trail - Cherrybottom Park to Morse Road - Preliminary Engineering Project. The contract amount is $689,366.00, with a contingency of $36,303.00, for a total of $725,669.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
The northern reach of the Big Walnut Trail is developing into one of the region’s most scenic and accessible greenways in Central Ohio. This project will be a key part of the trail extending from the south side of Cherrybottom Park to the northern limits of the City of Gahanna’s Big Walnut Trail at Morse Road. Over 31,000 residents of the northeast area live within proximity to this project and will be within a few minutes of access to the Alum Creek Trail. Several key destinations will be linked by this project, including job and commercial centers along Morse Road, at Easton, and in Gahanna. Trail users will have access to four major Columbus and Gahanna parks that include Cherrybotttom Park, Blendon Woods Metro Park, Academy Park, and Woodside Green Park. There will also be improved connectivity to multiple neighborhoods and the Morse Road transit corridor.
This project has been awarded $4.7 million from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Attributable Funds that will be used towards construction in 2030. The project begins in Cherrybottom Park, where it will connect to the Big Walnut Trail from the Little Turtle neighborhood to the Alum Creek Trail. From there, the trail will travel along Big Walnut Creek to connect to Appian Way where it will head south as a separated trail to Morse Road. An existing crosswalk will be enhanced to enable users to get to the south side of Morse Road and travel eastward back to Big Walnut Creek.
This contract is to perform preliminary engineering, environmental studies, and community engagement to meet federal grant requirements. There will be a planne...
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