Explanation
Background: This resolution supports the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter a grant application to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) which will be used to build a trail bridge at Souder Avenue. The project will build a separated 12’ wide trail bridge adjacent to the Souder Avenue bridge. A 10’ trail will be constructed from both ends of the bridge to connect to the Scioto Trail on the north and south banks, and also extend south to Broad Street across from Mt. Carmel Hospital. New ADA ramps will be constructed along Souder Avenue, and a COTA bus stop on Souder will be improved. The grant requires a 20% match.
The Souder Avenue bridge is a heavily used bike/pedestrian route, with regional trails on both banks of the Scioto River. The two lane bridge is recognized widely as one of the city’s most unsafe, narrow crossings. Manual trail counts were conducted in July 2016 and found that the average daily use of the Souder Ave bridge by pedestrians and cyclists was approximately 250 uses per day. This equates to roughly 90,000 uses annually. These numbers place the Souder Ave bridge connection near the top 5 busiest counted sections in the Columbus trail system. For several years the Franklinton community and the city have been engaged in connectivity planning for the regional trail network and on-street improvements. This project builds the first phase of the Franklinton Loop, a series of trail and on-street improvements throughout East and West Franklinton. The project also provides a final linkage of a 3 mile downtown trail loop, from Scioto Greenways to the Westbank/COSI riverfront.
Plans consulted during preparation of this project include:
East Franklinton Creative Community District Plan (Goody/Clancy)
West Franklinton Plan (Columbus Planning)
Principal Parties:
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
111 East Liberty Street, Columbus, OH 43215
William Murdoch 614-228-2663
31-1009675
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to receive this resolution of support as it is required to be submitted by September 30, 2016.
Benefits to the Public: Trails are a significant component of the city’s health and wellness, diversity, social equity and conservation initiatives. Franklinton is considered one the city’s low opportunity communities to trails and pedestrian connectivity. One of the biggest barriers to the community is accessing the regional path network, and this project improves a major unsafe obstacle at Souder Avenue, and includes a new connector from Broad Street to over 126 miles of trails.
Community Input Issues: The following stakeholders have been involved in this expansion pilot project:
Columbus Departments: Recreation and Parks, Economic Development, Planning, Public Service, Health
Private developers (NRI, Kaufman, Casto, Ruscilli)
Franklinton Development Association
Franklinton Trade Association
Franklinton Civic Association
YAY Bikes
Experience Columbus
Mt. Carmel Hospital
Area(s) Affected:
Planning Area 16
East Franklinton
West Franklinton
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors; improving the environmental health of the city; and improving access to parks, employment centers, community centers, retail, and attractions.
Fiscal Impact: None. A future ordinance will address appropriation of matching funding.
Title
To issue a resolution of support to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter a grant application to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) which will be used to build a trail bridge at Souder Avenue; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is currently accepting applications for funding; and
WHEREAS, a Resolution of Support from City Council, included in the grant applications, is required by the grantor in order for the application to be complete; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department wishes to apply for a grant for the improvements to build a trail bridge at Souder Avenue; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to obtain approval to apply for said grant as it is required to be submitted by September 30, 2016; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply for a grant with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to build a trail bridge at Souder Avenue.
SECTION 2. That this resolution of support authorizes an application for the grant funds only, and is not a commitment to expend City funds.
SECTION 3. That future legislation will follow to authorize acceptance, appropriation and expenditure of funds.
SECTION 4. That the City of Columbus does agree to obligate the funds required to satisfactorily complete the proposed project and become eligible for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.