Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group for the East Side Rail Trail Phase 1 Project. The contract amount is $377,600.00 with a contingency of $12,400.00, for a total of $390,000.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
In 2023, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department acquired a three-mile former rail corridor to improve connectivity for residents. Approximately 17,000 residents live within a short distance of the abandoned rail corridor. The project will improve safe off-road access to parks, jobs, schools, a community center, and transit. The Recreation and Parks Department will coordinate with the City of Whitehall and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to connect with existing and planned transportation infrastructure. The corridor intersects East Broad Street, East Main Street, and Livingston Avenue. The Department is working with COTA to improve access to transit stops. The Recreation and Parks Department has been awarded a grant of $100,000.00 from COTA to support this work. This inner-city area has no viable stream corridors. It also has limited access to green spaces, community parks, walking paths, and biking amenities for active transportation. The project will address these gaps by creating a 3-mile linear park with a multi-use trail from East Broad Street to Bostwick Road near South Livingston Avenue and Interstate 70.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services and Bonfire, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on January 21, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on February 17, 2026. Bids were received from the following companies:
Glaus, Pyle, Schomer, Burns, DeHaven, Inc. DBA GPD Group
DLZ
American Structurepoint
Kimley Horn
Of note, professional services contracts are qual...
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