Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Facemyer Company for the construction of the Stockbridge Urban Forest Project. The contract amount is $774,699.58, with a contingency of $77,000.00, for a total of $851,699.58 being authorized for this contract by this ordinance.
The Recreation and Parks Department was awarded funds from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, through the Ohio Public Works Commission, in the amount of $636,000.00, with a grant match of at least $425,000.00, as authorized by Ordinance 2046-2020. This grant and project was to purchase the Stockbridge Elementary School site, demolish the school building, plant native trees to expand the city’s urban tree canopy, and develop a walking path.
The Stockbridge Urban Forest Project acquired the former Stockbridge Elementary School property in the City’s Scioto Southland Community in October 2020. The second phase of this project was to demolish the abandoned school and hard surfaces in 2021 as a first phase of site improvements. This ordinance will authorize the Director to enter into a contract to construct these improvements. It is absolutely necessary that this grant funding be spent in its entirety by December 31, 2022 as to not risk losing the grant funded portion of this project.
The property is adjacent to the City’s existing Stockbridge Park and will provide an additional 11 acres of parkland for the community. Columbus City Schools offered the property for sale and this was a unique opportunity to provide more park space and natural area in a heavily built out neighborhood with a significant deficit in green space. The Stockbridge Urban Forest Project will be the city’s first pilot project to restore urban tree canopy on a large scale in one of the City’s most hard hit communities for trees. Over 2,000 trees of mixed sizes will be planted, along with a one mile walking path. The result can be a uniqu...
Click here for full text