Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with The Righter Company, Inc. to construct 1.25 miles of Alum Creek Trail, from Airport Drive to Brittany Hills. The contract will include constructing 3 stream crossings of Alum Creek and 2 smaller crossings of tributary creeks. The segment will include connectivity for the Ohio Dominican University campus as well as the Brittany Hills community. The work will consist of asphalt paving, concrete, steel bridges, retaining walls, and a timber boardwalk. The central section of the Alum Creek Trail is the final missing piece of a 22 mile long regional greenway. The gap has prevented users from full use of the trail and there are no safe walking or cycling alternatives in the surrounding communities. The regional trail has been under development for the past 15 years and thousands of residents will now gain access to schools, parks, employment, and a busy college campus. The Alum Creek Trail is heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. The goal of completing this regional trail has been a high priority for residents, employers, and community stakeholders for over 20 years. The project has been the number one listed trail priority project by trail users throughout the entire city. The Near East area is underserved by safe access to walking and biking opportunities. The trail will provide a significant increase in pedestrian and biking safety for a large sector of the city. The Alum Creek Trail is a major linear park facility in Columbus. The trail has been listed as a high priority in area plans including the MORPC regional bikeway plan, the Central Ohio Greenways Plan, and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Master Plan.
Emergency Justification:
An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract so that work may proceed during the current construc...
Click here for full text