Columbus Celebrates American Addition Infrastructure Improvements
For Immediate Release
November 5, 2014
For More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Tyneisha Harden, Mayor’s Office, 645-2425
Rick Tilton, Public Service, 645-7263
George Zonders, Public Utilities, 645-2926
Leah Evans, Homeport,
545-4829
Neighborhood leaders and representatives of Homeport joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Councilmember Shannon G. Hardin to celebrate the completion of the first phase of roadway and other infrastructure improvements in the American Addition neighborhood. The work is part of the American Addition Improvements Project, a joint effort between the City of Columbus and Homeport.
“We are investing in the American Addition neighborhood to make it safer for families,” said Mayor Coleman. “This project makes it safer to walk in the neighborhood, reduces flooding during rainstorms and makes homeownership possible for more families.”
American Addition, Phase 1, infrastructure improvements include the reconstruction - including new sidewalks, curbs, and gutters - of Lee Avenue, Sampson Avenue, Sigsbee Avenue, East 12th Avenue between Joyce Avenue and Sampson Avenue, and Woodford Avenue between Joyce Avenue and Katahdin Alley.
Other improvements include new street lights, storm sewers, water lines, street trees, rain gardens, and the construction of new alleys.
Phases 2 and 3 of the American Addition infrastructure improvements project are scheduled for construction beginning in August 2015, with completion scheduled for August 2016, weather permitting. Infrastructure improvements include roadway reconstruction and the addition of sidewalks, curbs, storm sewers, new water lines, and street lights.
“American Addition plays a significant role in the history of Columbus and the fabric of our community,” said Councilmember Hardin, chair of the Public Service & Transportation Committee. “For decades, this development served as a hub of African-American life in Columbus. These improvements will restore this neighborhood to the prominence it deserves.”
The project also includes new homes to be built by Homeport. Homeport has built and sold 10 new homes to date in American Addition, plans to build between seven and 10 homes in 2015, and intends to develop 80 additional lots in the neighborhood.
“At Homeport, our mission is to provide homes where families can live safely and with stability—and flourish long term,” said Homeport President and CEO Amy Klaben. “We are proud to be a partner with the city in rejuvenating a long neglected neighborhood. American Addition’s new homes and infrastructure, community center and park, and close proximity to the downtown, have merged to make this a desirable place to call ‘home.’”
Phases 2 and 3 of the project will include the following infrastructure improvements:
Phase 2:
- Reconstruction, including the addition of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, street lights, and street trees to the following streets:
- East 12th Avenue between Sampson Avenue and Petrel Alley
- Key West Avenue between Woodford Avenue and Helena Alley
- Puritan Avenue between Woodford Avenue and Helena Alley
- Woodford Avenue between Katahdin Alley to Petrel Alley
- Improvements to the following alleys:
- Helena Alley between Katahdin Alley and Petrel Alley
- Olympia Alley between Woodford Avenue and Helena Alley
- Petrel Alley between East 12th Avenue and Woodford Avenue
- New storm sewers, water lines, and rain gardens.
Phase 3:
- Reconstruction, including the addition of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, street lights and street trees to the following streets:
- Dewey Avenue between Katahdin Alley and Petrel Alley
- Key West Avenue between Dewey Avenue and Woodford Avenue
- Puritan Avenue between Dewey Avenue and Woodford Avenue
- Improvements to the following alleys:
- Katahdin Alley between Woodford Avenue and Dewey Avenue
- Olympia Alley between Woodford Avenue and Dewey Avenue
- Petrel Alley between Woodford Avenue and Dewey Avenue
- New storm sewers, water lines, and rain gardens.
Costs (includes design, right-of-way acquisition, construction and inspection):
Phase 1: $5.8 million
Phases 2 and 3: $5.7 million
The Department of Public Service is administering the roadway, sidewalk, and alley improvement segments of the American Addition project. The Department of Public Utilities, which is constructing storm sewer, water line, and street light improvements, and the Department of Development are partners in the project.
Adjacent to the American Addition project, work continues on Phase 2 of the Joyce Avenue Improvements Project, on Joyce Avenue between East 12th Avenue and immediately north of East 17th Avenue, and on East 17th Avenue between Brentnell Avenue and 300 feet west of Billiter Boulevard. The project includes roadway reconstruction and the addition of sidewalks, shared used paths, storm sewers, upgraded water lines and street lights. Phase 2 is scheduled for completion in 2015, with Phase 3 construction scheduled to begin in 2016. Phase 1 of the Joyce Avenue Improvements Project was completed in November 2013.