City Leaders Outline How $1.5 Billion Bond Package Would Support Public Safety
Columbus
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today joined Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel V.
Remy and Public Safety Director Robert Clark to outline how the proposed $1.5
billion bond package on the ballot this fall would support neighborhood safety
throughout Columbus. Specifically, Issue 14 would allocate $300 million for
planned capital investments in police and fire facility improvements, fire
apparatus replacements (e.g., ladder trucks, medics, etc.), police substations
and fire stations, and more.
“Community safety is our number one priority,” said Mayor Ginther. “We’ve made
meaningful progress in reducing violence and holding criminals accountable while
expanding our comprehensive safety strategy to include new approaches to
intervention and prevention. High-quality facilities and equipment are key to
our continued success, and Issue 14 would provide access to the funding we need
to make critical investments and further accelerate our momentum.”
If
approved by Columbus voters, funding would be allocated as follows:
- $30 million: Police facility renovations
- $18 million: Fire apparatus replacements
- $33 million: Fire facility renovations
- $219 million: Franklin County Municipal Court building
Voted
bonds allow the city to borrow money to pay for capital improvements at a lower
interest rate, saving residents millions of dollars and allowing the city to
invest more in neighborhoods. Recent examples of projects paid for by bond
funding include the forthcoming Real Time Crime Center in Linden; repairs to
ladder trucks and medics; facility improvements such as the renovation of Fire
Stations 3 (Greenlawn Ave.), 14 (Parsons Ave.) and 23 (E. Livingston Ave.); the
design and construction of Fire Stations 16 (Weber Rd.) and 35 (Waggoner Rd.); the
far north Police Substation on Sancus Boulevard; and the first-ever Public
Safety Wellness Center for first responders.
"Columbus
needs a Real Time Crime Center," said Councilmember Remy. "Our
community has made it loud and clear that the addition of a Real Time Crime
Center is Columbus' next step in serving our residents quickly and responsively,
and we need your help this November to make it a reality."
“Bond
funding has helped us deliver major improvements in our public safety
infrastructure,” said Director Clark. “These are more than buildings and
vehicles. They are investments in our safety and our city, and they allow our
women and men to deliver the best possible service to you and your family, when
you need it most.”
The
bond package – Issues 14-18 – will be
voted on by Columbus residents in the general election on November 8. Early
voting is currently underway at the Franklin County Board of Elections at 1700
Morse Road. For more information, visit: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/