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Council sets aside $250,000 to advance South Commons master plan after Choose Columbus briefing
Summary
After a year of site study and a near-complete market analysis, Choose Columbus asked the council to earmark $250,000 to complete a master plan for the South Commons redevelopment; council voted to reserve the money while staff pursues an EDA planning grant that could reimburse the city.
Missy Kendrick, president and CEO of Choose Columbus (the development authority), asked the Columbus City Council on May 12 to set aside $250,000 to move the South Commons redevelopment into a master-planning phase.
Kendrick told council the site consists of about 17 parcels and that the authority has spent roughly $265,750 on due diligence and a market study so far. She said the recommended master-plan consultant, Nelson, quoted $199,600 for the work and that additional phase-two testing and geotechnical work could add roughly $60,000 more. “So what we’re here to do today is ask the city to set aside the funding of $250,000 to cover some incidental expenses,” Kendrick said.
The request followed a report that the development authority had paid $166,800 for environmental due diligence and $20,750 toward a $34,000 market study. Kendrick said displacement strategies remain under development and will be integrated into the master plan so existing residents are not displaced by redevelopment.
Council clarified where the money would come from; staff said the economic-development fund maintains the city’s allocation. Finance staff told council the economic development fund balance was approximately $1.9 million, but that commitments and continuing obligations reduce available capacity. Council asked for a timeline: Kendrick estimated a six-month completion for the final plan, with interim public engagement and updates to council along the way.
Councilor Kogal moved to earmark $250,000 from the economic-development allocation for the work; Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. Council approved the earmark by voice vote.
Kendrick also told council the development authority will seek a $250,000 planning grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration; the authority plans to file an application promptly and said a grant award, if received, could eliminate the city’s net expense.
What happens next: staff will earmark $250,000 pending grant results; the development authority will proceed with selecting the master-planning consultant and begin public engagement. Kendrick said the Nelson firm — the citizen advisory committee’s top choice — would be recommended to lead the master plan.
Council’s approval does not itself obligate immediate spending; it authorizes earmarking funds so the authority and city can move forward quickly if grant funding is delayed or denied.
