City backs USDOT grant letter to rebuild Howard Boulevard for safety improvements
Loading...
Summary
Council adopted Resolution R26-25 authorizing a funding-commitment letter for a USDOT grant application tied to the Safe Streets for All study; staff said funds would be targeted to reconstruct Howard Boulevard between 33rd Avenue and 23rd Street.
The Columbus City Council on Feb. 17 voted to authorize the mayor to sign a funding-commitment letter to support a U.S. Department of Transportation grant application tied to the Safe Streets for All work in Columbus.
City staff explained the request stems from the earlier Safe Streets for All study identifying several unsafe segments, including a portion of Howard Boulevard between 33rd Avenue and 23rd Street. The resolution, R26-25, provides a local letter of commitment as part of the city's application for a federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD-like) grant to fund reconstruction of that corridor.
A city transportation staff member described the next steps: project design will be completed later, additional public and stakeholder meetings will be held, and agreements with state DOT partners and consultants will follow. "So this is more a grant to get the money to implement the construction of that," staff said during the discussion.
Council adopted the resolution by voice vote. The authorization is an early procedural step to pursue federal funding; detailed design, environmental review and additional approvals will occur if the grant is awarded.
What's next: staff will proceed with application materials, design work and public outreach should the application advance.
