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City could resurface historical 156 streets by end of year
(by Sean Lehosit, Westside Editor - March 22, 2012)
More than a dozen streets and alleys on the Westside will be smoother by next year, if the Columbus City Council passes the 2012 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget on April 16.
The CIP allows the city to plan for investments in city infrastructure years in advance to ensure funding is made available.
As part of the plan the city would resurface an unprecedented 156 streets by the end of the year.
According to Mayor Michael Coleman, the city would invest $31 million on the project, which includes the construction of new sidewalks, bikeways and improve alleys.
“These improvements are the foundation for stronger neighborhoods in Columbus,” Coleman said.
Of the total cost, the plan uses $1.5 million toward surface treatment in alleys, which would fill potholes with a mix of crushed stone and a tar-like liquid.
A total of $12.4 million is to build the sidewalks and bikeways, including pavement markings.
“By investing in our neighborhoods and our city overall we are investing in our quality of life,” Council President Ginther said, “making it easier for existing businesses to succeed and new companies to make Columbus home.”
Councilwoman Priscilla Tyson said the CIP budget also would allow for the creation of jobs – and in turn – generate additional revenue by increasing the flow of income tax. It is the creation of jobs that will sustain long term growth in the city, she said.
The first phase of the project would begin in May and cost $8.5 million to resurface 43 streets in north Columbus, extending from North High Street and surrounding areas. This is estimated to conclude around October.
The Westside could begin seeing improvements starting in June and running through October, weather permitting. If winter hits hard, the projects would start again in spring 2013. At the cost of $8.5 million the second phase focuses on 38 streets – more than a dozen in the Franklinton, Hilltop and Southwest areas.
Some roads include segments of Lynward Road, Binns Boulevard, Hilltonia Avenue and Sullivant Avenue.
In August, the final phase of the project plans to improve 75 streets for $9.5 million. While many of these roads can be found in east and southeast Columbus – crews will revisit the Westside for an additional half dozen streets, including a portion of Westgate Avenue and Olive Street.
If passed, the CIP also has plans to invest $2 million on neighborhood safety cameras, $2 million to demolish vacant housing, $3.8 million toward the renovation of city parks and recreation facilities and $1.7 million on pools and spraygrounds.
Ginther said that by improving facilities within the city, it allows them to operate at lower costs to residents. He added they would create jobs as well.
Local streets slated for resurfacing if passed:
• Binns Boulevard (between West Broad Street and Sullivant Avenue)
• Hardwood Drive (between Briggs Road and Holly Hill Drive)
• Hilltonia Avenue (between West Mound Street and Sullivant Avenue)
• Lynard Road (between Savannah Drive and Shirley Lane)
• Mt. Calvary Avenue (between West Mound Street and Renick Street)
• Nugget Drive (between Warfield Drive and Norview Drive)
• Powell Avenue (between West Broad Street and Sullivant Avenue)
• Renick Street (between Harmon Avenue and Mt. Calvary Avenue)
• Souder Avenue (between Griggs Avenue and Renick Street)
• Souder Avenue (between Renick Street and the south end of Sounder Avenue)
• Sullivant Avenue (between South Harris Avenue and Sylvan Avenue)
• Turquoise Drive (between Nugget Drive and north end of Turquoise Drive)
• Warfield Drive (between McZand Boulevard and Nugget Drive)
• Wheatland Avenue (between Sullivant Avenue and 52 feet south of West Broad Street)
• Avondale Avenue (between West Broad Street and Thomas Avenue)
• Olive Street (between South Hague Avenue and Westmoor Avenue)
• Olive Street (between Westmoor Avenue and Derrer Road)
• Parkglen Road (between Silvertree Drive and Baytree Drive)
• Safford Avenue (between Whitethorne Avenue and Helen Street)
• Westgate Avenue (between West Broad Street and Wicklow Road)
• Woodbury Avenue (between Sullivant Avenue and Rea Avenue)
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