Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to accept a Transportation Alternatives grant from Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and enter into a grant agreement for the expansion of CoGo Bike Share.
In 2016, the Department applied for and was selected to receive a Transportation Alternatives grant from MORPC for the expansion of CoGo Bike Share. This legislation is to accept the grant and authorize the Director to sign the grant agreement. The grant amount is $990,921.00 with a local match requirement of 20%.
CoGo Bike Share launched in 2013 in the downtown core of Columbus. The 30 station network was limited in size and scope, and data shows that ridership increased significantly as the system expanded from downtown into the Harrison West, Short North, OSU campus, and Weinland Park areas. As of June/2017, ridership has increased over 26% from 2016. Public survey response clearly indicates that expanding the reach of bike share into the inner ring suburbs of Grandview Heights, Bexley, and Upper Arlington is a high priority, and the jurisdictions have joined together for this expansion. The addition of 26 stations offers much wider use area for bike share, including access to more transit stops, community retail centers, cultural destinations, trails, employment centers, and attractions.
The Pilot Expansion will provide 26 bike share stations and 232 additional bikes to the existing CoGo network. Project involves direct collaboration of Columbus, Bexley, Grandview Heights, and Upper Arlington jurisdictions. Pilot expansion will provide:
Upper Arlington - 5 stations
Grandview Heights - 4 stations
Bexley - 4 stations
Columbus - 13 stations
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 is being requested in that it is immediately necessary to accept the grant agreement so the city can complete the project by June 2018.
Benefits to the Public: Bike sharing is a rapidly growing piece of the nation's urban transportation fabric. The economic impact of expanding transit options such as bike share in large cities is well documented. A key economic impact will also be the expansion of bike share into low opportunity areas in Columbus for bike access. It is listed as an important component of Smart Columbus.
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
City of Bexley
City of Grandview Heights
City of Upper Arlington
MORPC (Transportation Section)
Public surveys
Private developers (NRI, Kaufman, Casto, Ruscilli)
5th by Northwest Area Commission
Clintonville Area Commission
Near East Area Commission
CCSID (Capital Crossroads Special Improvements District)
YAY Bikes
Area(s) Affected:
Columbus: Expanded network to Fifth by Northwest, Linden, Near East side, Franklin Park, University District
Bexley: Downtown
Grandview Heights: Downtown, Grandview Yard
Upper Arlington: Downtown, Lane Avenue corridor
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding active transportation alternatives, improving the environmental health of the city, and improving access to parks, employment centers, community centers, retail, and attractions.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is requested at this time. Future legislation will authorize the appropriation and expenditure of grant funds and match amount.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to accept a Transportation Alternatives grant and enter into a grant agreement with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the expansion of CoGo Bike Share; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2016, the Department of Recreation and Parks applied for, and was selected to receive, a Transportation Alternatives grant from MORPC for the expansion of CoGo Bike Share; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to accept the grant from, and enter into a grant agreement with, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the expansion of CoGo Bike Share so that the city can complete the project by June 2018; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED 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 accept a Transportation Alternatives grant from MORPC and enter into a grant agreement for the expansion of CoGo Bike Share.
SECTION 2. That future legislation will follow to authorize appropriation and expenditure of funds.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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.