Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into a grant agreement with the Oho Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the West Franklinton Greenspace Project. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation of grant and matching funds. The grant amount is $620,000.00 and the local match amount is $327,000.00. There is a total of $947,000.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
In March of 2022, the Department applied for grant funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program, as authorized by Ordinance 0389-2022, to support the West Franklinton Greenspace Project. In July of 2022, the Department received notice that the grant was approved.
Statistics show that the West Franklinton Community has the least amount of public greenspace in Columbus with just 10.8 acres of parkland in a community of over 9,000 residents. The purpose of the project is to acquire 1.1 acres of greenspace in the West Franklinton Community, at West Park Avenue and West Broad Street. The properties would expand the community’s West Park Median to over 5 acres, reaching from Sullivant Avenue to West Broad Street. These sites will become protected passive greenspaces in the City’s most underserved community for parks and open space. The project will add additional public greenspace adjacent to existing parkland, provide open space for trees, and increase passive recreation opportunities.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Public Works Commission
Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program, Clean Ohio Conservation Fund - District 3
65 East State Street, Suite 312
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Government Agency
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to allow the preparation and submittal of purchase contracts for the properties and the funds need to be made available to acquire the properties by the grant deadline of July 31, 2023.
Benefits to the Public: This project will provide pa...
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