Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to sign and enter into the LPA Federal Local-Let Project Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct a trail connector to the Scioto Trail for the Franklinton Community. This is ODOT Project 105736.
The project will build a separated trail along Souder Avenue, from West Broad Street to Dublin Road, including a new pedestrian bridge across the Scioto River. The LPA Agreement details the grant funding agreement and responsibilities of the Recreation and Parks Department (LPA) to bid, award, and administer the project. The Recreation and Parks Department was awarded a federal transportation grant for over 3.9 million dollars from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to assist towards construction of a trail connection to the Scioto Trail for the Franklinton Community, from Broad Street to Dublin Road. The required match dollars are expected to be approximately 1.1 million dollars and the total project is estimated to be approximately 5 million dollars. The project will build a new pedestrian bridge and 10 foot wide separated path along Souder Avenue. The City has conducted ongoing engagement with the community for several years to address the unsafe conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, including the existing two-lane Souder Avenue Bridge over the Scioto River. Connectivity to the regional trail system and upgrading the neighborhoods active transportation network was listed as one of the community’s highest priorities. The project coincides with transformational development projects in the West Broad Street and Souder Avenue area, such as the Cover My Meds campus and Mount Carmel redevelopment which is estimated to bring over 2,000 jobs to the community by the time the trail project is completed. Over 4,000 residents and employees will be within a 10 minute walk from this project. The connector will open up access to over 132 miles of regional trail network. The construction phase of the project is projected to be bid in May of 2023. After bidding, future legislation will be submitted to authorize the award of a construction contract.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Transportation
Mitch Blackford, Deputy Director
District 6
400 East William Street
Delaware, OH 43015
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to obtain approval for the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to sign and enter into the LPA Agreement as it is required to be executed and submitted to ODOT in March of 2023.
Benefits to the Public: The Franklinton Community is one of the city’s most disadvantaged areas for safe accessibility to parks and trails. The Souder Avenue Bridge is a heavily used bike and pedestrian route, with direct connectivity to the Scioto Trail. This two lane bridge is recognized widely as one of the city’s most unsafe and narrow crossings. Manual trail counts were conducted and found that the average daily use of the Souder Avenue Bridge by pedestrians and cyclists was approximately 250 uses per day. This equates to roughly 90,000 uses annually. These numbers place the Souder Avenue Bridge connection near the top five busiest counted sections in the Columbus trail system. The Broad Street and Souder Avenue corridor is also experiencing major redevelopment. The neighborhood strongly supports increased safety and access to the regional trail system with leads to jobs, parks, and downtown Columbus. The project will design a new separated facility to accommodate cyclists, runners, and walkers as part of an overall Franklinton Loop network to connect people to and from an underserved community.
Community Input/Issues: The Franklinton Community has been actively involved in support of the project, including the Franklinton Area Commission, residents, and local businesses. Furthermore, the project is supported by the Columbus Economic Development, Planning, Public Service, and Health Departments. It is also supported by private developers, the Franklinton Development Association, Franklinton Trade Association, Franklinton Civic Association, and YAY Bikes.
Area(s) Affected: Franklinton (54)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by providing expanded and equitable access to greenways, trails, and parks.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal action is required at this time. Future legislation will accept, appropriate, and encumber funding for this project as needed.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to sign and enter into the LPA Federal Local-Let Project Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct a trail connector to the Scioto Trail for the Franklinton Community; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to sign and enter into the LPA Federal Local-Let Project Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct a trail connector to the Scioto Trail for the Franklinton Community; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to sign and enter into the LPA Agreement as it is required to be executed and submitted to ODOT in March of 2023, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; 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 sign a LPA Federal Local-Let Project Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct a trail connector to the Scioto Trail for the Franklinton Community.
SECTION 2. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.