Council approves North Market alarm, multimodal acquisitions and multiple water and infrastructure contracts
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Summary
Council approved a set of committee ordinances including a $477,300 contract to upgrade the North Market fire alarm, property acquisitions for the Mount Vernon Avenue multimodal project, a $325,335 appropriation for SR‑161 roundabout construction, and multiple water system contracts and equipment purchases totaling multimillions for capital improvements.
Council and committee chairs advanced and passed several ordinances on Jan. 12 covering facility upgrades, right‑of‑way acquisitions and water system capital projects.
In finance committee, council approved ordinance 3410‑2025 to authorize a contract with Proline Electric Inc. to install a new interconnected fire alarm system at the North Market at a cost up to $477,300. Administration explained the work is required by the Ohio building code because the Merchant Tower project will connect to the North Market; staff said a capital maintenance fund tied to bed‑tax revenues will begin to pay for such projects once the hotel revenue stream commences.
Public service committee approved multiple right‑of‑way and acquisition ordinances. Ordinance 3455‑2025 authorizes immediate appropriation actions to secure fee simple and lesser real estate for the Mount Vernon Avenue phase 1 multimodal project (bike lanes, sidewalk bump‑outs, bus islands) with an appropriation cited at $10,751. Ordinance 3497‑2025 authorizes an expenditure of $325,335 to acquire property and temporary construction rights across approximately 20–21 properties for State Route 161 Phase 2 (Ambleside‑Maple Canyon), which will add roundabouts and a shared‑use path to improve safety.
Public utilities and sustainability committee passed a set of water‑system items: a contract modification with Hill International (up to $6,154,900) for professional construction management of water treatment projects; authorization to purchase a food‑waste collection truck for $132,048 to support composting and diversion goals (grant‑funded); a $1,127,937.58 contract modification with Resource International for construction administration and inspection services (contingent on Ohio Water Development Authority loan approval); a construction contract for the Athens Avenue/Ramsey Road waterline improvements (approximately $5,122,279.85, contingent on OWDA loan approval); and a $1,080,372.79 modification with DLZ Ohio for construction administration and inspection services for the same project.
Housing committee also passed ordinance 00066‑2026 to authorize up to $19,000 to contract with Innovate LLC (waiver of competitive bidding) to configure application software for the Resilient Housing Initiative, allowing the department to use existing Neighborly infrastructure and streamline intake as emergency rental assistance programs wind down.
All committee chairs noted these approvals were intended to move capital and program work forward; several ordinances contingent on OWDA loan approvals were presented as such in committee remarks.
