Mayor reports park shelter collapse, police chief announces retirement

Mayor Boeckley told the Columbus City Council on Feb. 3 that a foundation failure was discovered while reroofing park shelters and that the west shelter’s foundation and pillars had crumbled during work.

“Plan B will be come up with the package that we need to do to put a shelter back on the west side,” the mayor said, adding the work was not expected and repair or replacement is being planned; the sculpture and donor-wall work referenced earlier in the meeting may need scheduling consideration.

During the same comments period, the city’s police chief announced his retirement. The chief said he has served in law enforcement for 46 years, including 27 years with the City of Columbus and seven years as police chief. “After 46 years, I’ve accomplished everything I’ve set out to do,” the chief said. He thanked city administration, the mayor and the council for their support and said he hopes his successor brings new vision to the department.

The mayor also acknowledged the chief’s service publicly and invited any comments; the council and the chief exchanged thanks during the remarks. No formal personnel action was taken at the meeting; the chief’s announcement was informational and the council made no motion related to replacement at the session.

The city will develop a plan to replace or repair the damaged shelter; timing and funding were not specified at the meeting.