Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to accept $485,000.00 in grant funds (with minimum local match of $190,000.00) from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Clean Ohio Trail fund for construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the Olentangy Trail to Nationwide Boulevard and Confluence Park.
Background: On March 21, 2016, City Council authorized the Director of Recreation and Parks (0666-2016) to apply for a grant from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund to construct a bridge over the Olentangy River at Nationwide Blvd in Confluence Village, a major new development in Downtown Columbus. In 2016 Recreation and Parks was awarded the grant funding which required a minimum local match of $190,000.00.
This ordinance requires the acceptance of $485,000 from the Clean Ohio Trail Fund. By accepting these funds, there is $190,000.00 that constitutes a required local match. These funds will be part of a future expenditure towards the construction contract for the bridge, which is scheduled to advertise in June 2020. The estimated cost of the construction of the bridge is estimated to be just over $2M.
The bridge will be a direct connection from the regional trail for thousands of residents and workers in the Arena District. The project also coincides with other significant projects at the west end of Nationwide Boulevard, including a new stadium, a series of mixed-use developments, and a public park development along the East bank of the Olentangy River. This bridge also provides a significant active transportation access to a heavily congested downtown area.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Clean Ohio Trails Fund
2045 Morse Road, E-2
Columbus, OH 43229
D’Juan Hammonds, 614-265-6417
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in that it is immediately necessary to accept the grant funds, appropriate the matching funds, and a...
Click here for full text