Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service is engaged in the Hilliard-Rome Road Improvement Project. This project consists of the widening by addition of (3) new traffic lanes and reconstruction of approximately 1.19 miles Hilliard-Rome Road from Westchester Wood Boulevard to south of Roberts Road as well as utility relocation.
As part of the project 1.2 miles of 5 foot wide sidewalk and handicap ramps at all appropriate locations including intersections, service drives and driveways will be added or reconstructed on both the east and west sides of the road. Bikeway features within the project include 10 foot wide signed bike lanes along both the east and west sides of Hilliard Rome Road on the entire length of the project. There are 6 bus stops or transit routes within the limits of the project. The addition of sidewalk within the project limits complies with the recommendation of the Pedestrian Thoroughfare Plan. Pedestrian generators and destinations impacting the proposed project include multiple retail shops. Pedestrian Quality of Service analyses show a marked improvement in the score by adding sidewalks and ADA ramps. As part of this project landscape trees will also be included on both east and west side of the roadway.
Successful completion of this project requires that the City acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to various properties located along the project corridor and that the City participate in the relocation of various utilities.
Ordinance 0366-2007, passed April 23, 2007, authorized the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to hire professional services and to expend $1,250,000.00 on right-of-way acquisition for this project. After receipt of appraisals and beginning negotiations for the necessary property acquisitions the City Attorney's Real Estate Division requested an additional $350,000.00. Expenditure of this additional amount was authorized pursuant to Ordinance 1046-2008...
Click here for full text