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Council hears wide infrastructure update; construction along Casita, Buena Vista and other corridors prompts business concerns
Summary
Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge and department directors briefed council on more than $1.2 billion in ongoing infrastructure projects (roads, stormwater, trails and bridges). Councillors and business owners raised concerns about construction impacts, detours, and potential support for affected small businesses.
City staff provided an extensive infrastructure update on April 29, outlining more than $1.2 billion in projects under design, construction or completed across Columbus. Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge, Director of Engineering Vance Beck, Director of Planning Will Johnson and Director of Inspections and Codes Ryan Pruitt described work on state and locally administered projects including the Buena Vista Road diversion diamond and bridge, Casita Road/Interstate 185 interchange (a TIA project), Veterans Parkway improvements, the Spiderweb (Casita diversion) work, and numerous TSPLOST corridors.
Beck described active construction at Williams Road and the roundabout work, Mott’s Green nearing final sod delivery, the Nineteenth Street flood abatement pipe installation, and progress on the Buena Vista Road DDI and the Bull Creek bridge replacement (the state is managing bridge demolition and replacement). “The bridge demolition crew is mobilizing today to start demoing the Bull Creek Bridge tomorrow,” he said.
Staff emphasized that projects use multiple funding sources — regional TSPLOST, GDOT/TIA, grants, local millage and bond proceeds — and that federal involvement can lengthen schedules because of additional environmental and contracting steps. Will Johnson described TSPLOST Band 1–3 projects and timelines, noting some design completions and primary construction lettings stretching into 2027 and beyond for certain band 2 and 3 projects.
Several council members raised business complaints related to Casita Road and nearby construction. Councilor Byron Hickey relayed a business owner’s plea that barricades be shifted to preserve a private driveway from repeated turning and damage. Councilors said staff worked with mapping services (Waze, Google) to pre‑load detours and pledged to explore placing barricades or using a nearby bus turnaround to reduce drive‑on damage. Staff said they would follow up in the field with the owner.
Councilors pressed staff on whether the city offers grants or compensation to businesses disrupted by construction. Deputy City Manager Hodge and City Manager Isaiah Hugley said the city does not have a general grant program to offset lost revenue due to construction and that any tax relief or grant policy would require a council‑level policy and funding mechanism. “We do not have funding for such and we don't anticipate there will be any funding for such, going forward,” Hugley said.
Councilors and staff also discussed maintenance and long‑term upkeep of new road landscaping and roundabouts as TSPLOST and other projects complete, noting that new beautification increases ongoing maintenance responsibilities and likely budget or contract needs for groundskeeping and gateway treatments.
Ending: Staff offered to provide follow‑up site visits, explore short‑term barricade solutions, share more detailed schedules and a resurfacing list for council members, and continue coordination with GDOT and TIA on project timing and community outreach.
