Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The purpose of this legislation is to accept a New Freedom grant award from the Federal Transit Administration through the local agent, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), up to the amount of $159,206.00 to build sidewalks along Obetz Road between South High Street and Parsons Avenue. The project length is approximately 1000 feet. The project will provide sidewalk and wheelchair ramps on both sides of Obetz Road.
In February of 2007, Mayor Michael B. Coleman created the Operation SAFEWALKS program. This program provides priorities and strategies for sidewalk construction in the city of Columbus.
On October 22, 2007, Columbus City Council adopted the Scioto Southland Area Plan, which identified this stretch of roadway as a priority for pedestrian walkways.
In April of 2008, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the Franklin County Coordinated Plan. The purpose of this plan is to better coordinate existing transportation services, as well as document existing gaps in the pedestrian environment. This plan gives agencies and local governments in Franklin County access to federal funds that can be used to address gaps in access to transportation, one of which is sidewalk links to transit.
Voters approved the City's Vote Bond Package in November of 2008, which includes pending authority for approximately $55 million for sidewalk construction through the Opration SAFEWALKS program. The Obetz Road sidewalk project is a project proposed within the sidewalk spending authority.
In April of 2009, the city was notified by COTA that its application for a New Freedom Grant had been approved for funding. The project will remove existing barriers for residents at a school, adjacent senior housing facility, handicap residential housing and numerous citizens, by providing pedestrian access to transit routes and three COTA bus stops. There are a number of pedestrian generators within the project limits, including Ch...
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