Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a design and construction agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) for the administration of the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements Project. The City’s cost share for this project is $7,500,000.00 and this contribution is being authorized by this ordinance. The estimate for the project is $15,000,000.00. The City and CDDC will each fund 50% of the project.
Similar to how the fountain was originally built, as authorized by Ordinance 1746-2007, it has been determined that it will be beneficial to have the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation perform the administration of this project as it will allow for better coordination with other significant downtown projects. The City recognizes the benefit that the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements Project will have on its citizens by continuing to provide an important downtown Scioto Riverfront attraction available without admission to the families of the community. Therefore, it is in the City's best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code.
When the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain originally opened July 2011, it provided an iconic civic asset along the riverfront and an integrated water feature that CNN ranked as one of the country’s best. Like all good things, it is time for an update and an upgrade. For more than 12 years, the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain has been a key part of summer in our community and has been well loved by people of all ages. Our goal is to keep it that way. This is the right time to not only make improvements to the functionality but take the experience to a whole new level. Downtown is everybody’s neighborhood and the Scioto Mile is a huge part of how we deliver that promise. We’re investing in this world-class asset not only so it can be continue to be enjoyed by families for many years to come but it will also expand equity and inclusion elements in the core of our city. To that end, CDDC is partnering with world-class design professionals at AECOM and WET Design, to create an incredible fountain-centered experience for our entire community. The design will continue to feature three iconic steel halos and the signature blooms feature to create a variety of experiences, including enhancements to halo fog and super shooters, jets that can shoot water 100 feet into the air, and added visual and interactive appeal, including a system that will engage and interact with visitors. A sprite area will be added that will be especially programmed for the youngest visitors. Increased seating, shaded areas, and space for food trucks and carts offering reprieve and refreshment to Downtown visitors will be provided. Sculptural light elements with vibrant, constantly changing colors will delight visitors with dynamic light shows in the cold-weather season to make the Scioto Mile Fountain a year-round destination.
To accomplish all of this in the top-tier fashion that the community has come to expect from this iconic asset, the City of Columbus and CDDC will partner to fund this project. The budget is $15,000,000.00 to complete the design, construction and commission of the project. The project will be shared in a 50/50 partnership. CDDC will leverage the Scioto Mile Endowment, created by CDDC when the Scioto Mile was first constructed, to provide the remaining $7,500,000.00 needed after the City’s $7,500,000.00 contribution. This is reflective of the initial Scioto Mile partnership, where the public sector and private sector split the costs for design and construction equally. Design is ongoing and construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2023. The plan is currently to reopen the fountain for Memorial Day 2024. Bicentennial Park is part of a group of parks along the riverfront that make up the Scioto Mile that will be enjoyed by citizens and visitors for generations to come.
Principal Parties:
Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
150 South Front Street, Suite 210
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Greg Davies, CEO, 614-545-4700
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 010217, 76-0704655
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: June 8, 2024
Benefits to the Public: The project will provide a new, more reliable, and interactive fountain, along with additional seating capacity and shade within the park, for people to enjoy the fountain. Bicentennial Park serves as the centerpiece for some of the City’s most vital downtown programming, including the Columbus Arts Festival, Rhythm on the River, and the Jazz & Rib Fest. It is also the setting for notable collaborations with partners such as the Columbus Jazz Orchestra/Jazz Arts Group and BalletMet Columbus.
Community Input/Issues: CDDC has conducted a public process for downtown Columbus which included this area. The community has expressed the desire for well-kept and updated amenities through public workshops, social media, and direct contact with the Department.
Area(s) Affected: Downtown (55)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by helping to ensure that amenities remain safe, updated, and user friendly.
Fiscal Impact: $7,500,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and 7712 and 7712 to meet the financial obligations of this contribution.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a design and construction agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for the administration of the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements Project; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329; to authorize the transfer of $7,500,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund, to authorize the amendment of the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget; and to authorize the expenditure of $7,500,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund. ($7,500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into a design and construction agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for the administration of the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 to enter into this contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $7,500,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and 7712; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1896-2022 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of 7,500,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and 7712; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department to authorize the Director to enter into this agreement, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare 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 to enter into a design and construction agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for the administration of the Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements Project.
SECTION 2. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $7,500,000.00or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 and 7712 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1896-2022 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
Fund 7702 / P510017-100261; McCoy Park (Voted Carryover); $1,200,000 / ($1,000,000) / $200,000
Fund 7702 / P510301-100000; Greenways - Land Acquisition (Voted Carryover); $500,000 / ($500,000) / $0
Fund 7702 / P512025-100000; Brice Road Park (Voted Carryover); $2,000,000 / ($2,000,000) / $0
Fund 7702 / P511035-100000; Climate Action Plan (Voted Carryover); $2,500,000 / ($1,000,000) / $1,500,000
Fund 7702 / P511002-100000; Facility Assessment Implementation; $1,390,317 / ($1,000,000) / $390,317
Fund 7702 / P512000-100000; New Development - Misc. (Voted Carryover); $5,521,736 / ($500,000) / $5,021,736
Fund 7712 / P512004-100000; Community Sports Park (Voted Carryover); $4,673,625 / ($500,000) / $4,173,625
Fund 7702 / P516000-100000; Emergency Replacement - Misc. (Voted Carryover); $816,387 / ($500,000) / $316,387
Fund 7702 / P517000-100000; Opportunity Projects - Misc. (Voted Carryover); $1,249,206 / ($500,000) / $749,206
Fund 7702 / P511044-100000; Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $7,000,000 / $7,000,000
Fund 7712 / P511044-100000; Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile Fountain Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $500,000 / $500,000
SECTION 8. That the expenditure of $7,500,000.00or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 and 7712 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.