City Leaders Unveil Proposed 2021 Capital Improvements Budget
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther along with leadership from Columbus
City Council today unveiled the proposed 2021 Capital Improvements Budget,
which will receive its first reading at the Columbus City Council meeting on
Monday, October 25.
This year’s capital budget of $1.26 billion includes
significant funding to expand affordable housing, enhance public safety, and
improve parks, streets, sidewalks and services citywide. The budget consists of
$766.2 million in new funding and $494.7 million in carryover dollars.
“The city’s capital budget advances our ongoing commitment
to elevate every neighborhood across Columbus,” said Mayor Ginther. “From
investing in affordable housing through new units and initiatives, to improving
public safety with state-of-the-art facilities and resources, to providing the
best possible parks system for a growing, diverse and dynamic community, we
look forward to accelerating our work on a range of important projects while
working collaboratively with our partners to build an equitable, safe and
vibrant future for every resident.”
Highlights of the capital budget include:
- Over $35 million to help keep more Columbus
residents in their homes and increase access to safe housing everyone can
afford.
- More than $30 million supporting new facilities,
technology and treatment centers that advance and promote 21st-century
community policing, including a new 9-1-1 call center, ADAMH treatment facility
and Real-time Crime Center.
- $12 million for renovations and designs of
neighborhood safety facilities, including a new Northside fire station and
Hilltop substation.
- More than $63 million to develop and improve
parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities citywide, including $12 million
to renovate the pools at Glenwood and Windsor community centers, as well as
$4.5 million to plant new street trees and support the Urban Forestry Master
Plan.
- $125 million for street resurfacing and
improvements, and more than $22 million for sidewalk repairs and replacements.
“This next round of neighborhood investments came after
months of listening to residents and collaboration with the mayor’s team,” said
Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “Councilmembers were clear in their
priorities to invest millions in affordable housing, in fixing up older homes,
improving parks and recreation centers, and giving our Police and Fire
Divisions the tools and accessible facilities they need to modernize
operations. I look forward to seeing pools built, the policing substation on the
Hilltop and $22 million in new sidewalks in neighborhoods so kids can walk
safely to school.”
“Safe sidewalks, recreation center improvements and
increased tree canopy are just a few ways Council has advocated for supporting
our neighborhoods through capital projects, and the budget introduction today
is a critical step forward in those areas and more,” said Council President Pro
Tem Elizabeth Brown. “As finance chair, my goal each year is to continue
elevating neighborhood priorities as we make these investments because no one
is a greater expert on their neighborhood than the people who live there.”
The second reading and a council vote are expected on
Monday, November 1.