Columbus council authorizes Downtown Columbus Inc. partnership to build Capital Line pedestrian and bike corridor

Columbus City Council on Feb. 3 approved an agreement with Downtown Columbus Inc. to advance design and construction of phase 1 of the Capital Line, a roughly two‑mile pathway for people walking and bicycling that will run along Gay, 4th and Rich streets and connect to the Scioto Peninsula.

The council action authorizes the director of the Department of Public Service to enter into an agreement with Downtown Columbus Inc. to carry out design and construction work for phase 1 and waives the city’s competitive bidding rules for that contract. The ordinance passed on a roll call vote during the Public Service and Transportation Committee portion of the meeting.

The Capital Line partnership is intended to create a continuous, protected pedestrian and bicycle corridor connecting downtown attractions, green space and job centers. “We are completely reimagining this really important road downtown,” Amy Taylor, president of Downtown Columbus Inc., told council during a presentation. She said phase 1 will focus on Gay Street from 4th Street to Front Street and will be designed “property line to property line,” with the goal of narrowing the street to favor pedestrians while retaining vehicular access.

Taylor said design work is underway and that utility work could begin in the third quarter, with road construction following in the fourth quarter. “We look to begin construction on the utility work in 3rd quarter and then construction on the road work in 4th quarter and it’s about a 12 month cycle to get the phase 1 open,” she said.

Council member Lourdes Barroso De Padilla, who introduced the item, emphasized the project’s goal of better connecting existing downtown assets and said public engagement opportunities will continue through the design process. “There’ll be one more public meeting before we finally go to our final city department review,” Taylor said. Taylor and Barroso De Padilla both encouraged residents to consult downtowncolumbus.org for project details and public‑meeting schedules.

The ordinance passed unanimously on the committee roll call. Council did not elaborate on specific funding lines for the phase in the meeting discussion; the measure authorizes the agreement and waives competitive bidding for the contract with Downtown Columbus Inc.

The project is promoted by city officials as a complement to prior downtown investments such as Columbus Commons and the Scioto riverfront; proponents say it will provide a protected route that encourages residents and visitors to move between attractions on foot and by bike.

Construction timing described by the presenters indicates a multi‑phase rollout, with design and utility work preceding road reconstruction. City officials said design and construction will be coordinated to allow phased public use as portions are completed.

Questions about detailed budget line items, property‑by‑property commitments and final permitting requirements were not resolved during the presentation; staff said final design and department reviews remain to be completed.

The council action authorizing the Downtown Columbus Inc. agreement is intended to allow the city to move forward with design and construction work for phase 1 while continuing public engagement and internal reviews.