Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for necessary renovations to the fountain in Bicentennial Park. The agreement will provide for investigation, recommendations and repair of the AEP Fountain that is located within Bicentennial Park.
Background: The fountain was originally installed in 2010 as part of the Scioto Mile project that renovated and developed parkland along the Scioto River in downtown Columbus. These repairs are necessary in order to address leaks that have occurred in the fountains piping systems and to make repairs to associated concrete infrastructure. The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) will manage the investigation to determine the cause of the leaks, prepare a scope of work to complete any necessary repairs and create a project schedule. It is the goal of the Recreation and Parks Department to complete this restoration by June 1, 2016 so that the fountain will be operational for summer 2016 programming in Bicentennial Park. The department understands that it may be necessary to perform the work in phases to insure the repairs are properly made and the impact on the public’s enjoyment of the fountain is minimized.
This agreement furthers the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by continuing the existing operational standards of a Special Use Park. It will also improve the efficiency of water usage at the fountain.
The fountain at Bicentennial Park serves as the centerpiece for some of the City’s most vital downtown programming including the Columbus Arts Festival, Rhythm on the River, the FountainSide series and the Grand Illumination. It is also the setting for notable collaborations with partners such as the Columbus Jazz Orchestra/Jazz Arts Group and BalletMet Columbus.
Columbus Recreation and Parks is providing $150,000.00 toward the restoration of the fountains. If add...
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