Update on BluePrint Columbus

Blueprint Columbus has adjusted the overall project schedule to ensure a thoughtful and efficient Blueprint design and implementation process. The goal of these schedule adjustments are to:

  • Engage residents earlier and more frequently in the solution development for their neighborhood. The green infrastructure constructed in our neighborhoods is intended to be a neighborhood amenity and to truly be an amenity we need residents to be partners in our process. While this process can be very labor intensive, it is critical to develop the best solutions possible for a neighborhood.
  • Assess strategies for existing neighborhood flooding concerns. While Blueprint Columbus is focused on mitigating sanitary sewer overflows, we will also conduct storm sewer assessments and evaluate improvements to address high density flooding complaints in our neighborhoods.
  • Minimize gaps between design and construction phases. We recognize it is important for these projects to be designed and completed in a timely manner, so there are not large gaps between design and construction. This ensures that data collected during the surveying stage is recent and accurate for construction.

As a result of these schedule adjustments, most neighborhoods will now begin the Blueprint process later than previously projected. The Ohio EPA approved these adjustments in December 2018. Please note that these schedule adjustments do not change the communication process with the community, or the use of the Blueprint “4 Pillars” (green infrastructure, sump pumps, lateral lining, roof water redirection). We are still committed to our newly implemented design process, which includes connecting with the community at all 5 major milestones of the design process.

Clintonville area updates:

  • The southern Clintonville Blueprint project area (known as “Clintonville 3”) will have a “30% Design” meeting (where we review initial proposals from the engineering team) in the first quarter of 2021. During this interim, data collections/assessments will continue within the Walhalla Ravine (i.e. bank erosion inventory, etc.).
  • The northern Clintonville Blueprint project area (known as “Clintonville 2”) will begin initial surveying in 2025.

o   A small subsection of Clintonville 2, the Old Beechwold neighborhood, will proceed with green infrastructure, storm sewer enhancements, and road work in 2019. The private property pillars of Blueprint (lateral lining, roof water redirection, and sump pumps) for this area will commence on schedule with the overall Clintonville 2 project area.

CAC 2019 Election!

Be sure to check our new CAC Election  section for details for the coming CAC election will be regularly updated. Check here for documents, district maps and candidate information! Have you thought about getting more involved in your Clintonville neighborhood? We ARE looking for candidates for districts 3, 6 & 8!

MLK day observance

For Immediate Release

January 20, 2019

Contact:

Robin Davis, Office of the Mayor, 614-645-2425 (office); 614-369-5613 (cell)

Todd Dieffenderfer, Department of Neighborhoods, (614) 783-7212 (cell)

CITY OF COLUMBUS CHANGES PROGRAM FOR ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

March Canceled, Program Featuring Keynote Speaker Reverend Marissa R. Farrow Still Scheduled

COLUMBUS, OH – The City of Columbus made program changes to the annual celebration for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 21, 2019, because of frigid temperatures. The march has been canceled, but the rest of the program at East High School, 1500 E. Broad Street, is still scheduled.

The celebration is focused on the theme, “It’s our time, a movement toward justice.”  The program will feature inspiring orations from the first and second place winners of the annual MLK Youth Oratorical Contest.  Reverend Marissa R. Farrow of Baltimore is this year’s keynote speaker.  Reverend Farrow will deliver a motivational message to inspire all people to embody the principles of social justice and equity, which were the bedrock of Dr. King’s ministry.  The community is invited to enjoy a celebration reception in the East High School cafeteria immediately following the program.

Doors at East High School will open at 4 p.m. The program begins at 5:30 p.m.

Toya J. Johnson, M.Ed.

Assistant Director

Department of Neighborhoods

1111 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43205

Direct: 614.645.1991

Fax: 614.645.1862

www.columbus.gov

1.03 Billion Bond package up for a vote In May

Digital Media Coordinator Jon TolbertDigital Media Coordinator Jon Tolbert, City of Columbus:

Columbus Announces Proposed $1.03 Billion in Voted Bond Package To Finance Capital Improvements
The City of Columbus is asking voters to approve a $1.03 billion voted bond package to finance capital improvements in neighborhoods across the city. Community meetings will be held in four neighborhoods to discuss the bond package and seek resident input.

The bulk of the funds would be spent on public service, improving roads and highways, as well as refuse collection. In addition, funds will be spent on public utilities to improve sanitary and water systems as well as on bikeway and greenway improvements, safety facilities including a real-time crime center to collect and analyze crime-related data and provide it rapidly to first responders.

In a historic move, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther is also asking for $50 million from the bond package to be used for affordable housing.

“Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing the city today,” said Mayor Ginther. “These funds would be used over several years in partnership with other private and public entities to construct new or renovate existing properties and alleviate some of the existing gap in affordable housing.”

City Auditor Megan Kilgore emphasized that a bond package is not a tax increase. “A voted bond package means that the city is asking voters to support the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance our traditional capital improvements,” said Kilgore. “Voter approval of the bond package provides for the lowest cost of borrowing, potentially saving the city millions of dollars over the course of the borrowing.”

City Council President Shannon G. Hardin said the bond provides the city with necessary funds to strengthen neighborhoods. “A city that doesn’t invest in itself and its neighborhoods falls behind,” said Hardin. “This bond package will keep Columbus neighborhoods strong, moving us closer to a community where everyone has opportunity.”

Past projects that have been financed by a bond package include more than $96 million over the past 3 years on resurfacing almost 1,000 streets. That measures 557 lane miles through all neighborhoods. The new police substation in the Far North and Fire Station #35 are also being constructed with bond dollars, as were water and sewer line improvements throughout the city.

The City will hold four community meetings to further discuss the bond package. The meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.:

· Wednesday, January 16 – Linden Community Recreation Center, 1254 Briarwood Ave.

· Thursday, January 17 – Glenwood Community Recreation Center, 1888 Fairmont Ave.

· Wednesday, January 23 – Driving Park Community Recreation Center, 1100 Rhoads Ave.

· Thursday, January 24 – Marion Franklin Community Recreation Center, 2801 Lockbourne Rd.

The package will be voted on by residents of Columbus in the primary election on May 7, 2019.