Welcome to the second issue of Cit-E-News. If you missed the first one, just click here or visit http://mayor.columbus.gov/ and look for Newsletter in the Media Center Menu
Issue 2, Volume 1 June 14, 2010
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This summer I suspect many of you will spend a lot of time in your gardens. We’re doing the same thing here at City Hall as we start our own community garden on the grounds of the old police building
The Community garden contains 12 plots, one for each city department. A rain barrel will store water redirected from the downspouts, and we’re using recycled plastic lumber to border the raised beds. Employees can volunteer before and after work, and during their lunch hour to work in the garden, and the produce will be donated to a food pantry
Community gardens are part of our overall efforts to make Columbus a healthier and greener city. They increase access to fresh foods, and by growing food locally we reduce motor vehicle emissions.
Just last week, we opened a new community garden in Greater Linden in place of a vacant and abandoned building. The garden will provide fresh, healthy food for the neighborhood while also serving as a learning center for Linden McKinley High School students.
Gardens like this can provide so many benefits, and they all start with just a few seeds. I’m hoping to plant seeds to inspire community gardens throughout Columbus. (Back to top)
Mayor’s Green Initiatives Honored at SWACO Emerald Awards
Mayor Coleman’s and the City of Columbus were honored at SWACO’s 5th annual Central Ohio Emerald Awards luncheon. The Mayor received the Chairman’s Award for his “Get Green Columbus” campaign and numerous environmental initiatives, including greening the Columbus fleet, committing to the construction of green buildings, his KickButt Columbus litter cleanup, leading the Big Darby Accord and promoting bicycling and other alternative transportation.
The GreenSpot program, another product of the Get Green Columbus Campaign, received the Environmental Education Award. GreenSpot engages residents and businesses by issuing window decals to identify environmentally friendly locations. Currently, there are over 1,600 certified GreenSpot areas, and the free program is now being offered to anyone in Central Ohio.
E3 received the Innovation Award. This partnership between Columbus, American Electric Power, TechSolve SWACO, the University of Dayton and the federal government to offer solutions for improved sustainability in large industrial and commercial companies is expected to be replicated across the country. (Back to top)
Healthy Choices Committee
Mayor Coleman created the Healthy Choices Committee in February 2010. Chaired by Dr. Long, the committee includes representatives from restaurants such as Bob Evans, Donatos Pizza, and Spinellis Deli, consumers and nutrition experts from The Ohio State University. The committee focuses on exploring options to give consumers healthier menu options as well as information about what they are eating. Last month the Mayor and Dr. Long held a press conference with KFC officials to unveil brand new calorie labeling at the 3414 Sullivant Avenue KFC.
Restaurant menu labeling is one part of the city’s comprehensive plan to tackle the obesity epidemic. Other elements include:
- Increasing the number of community gardens and farmer’s markets as part of fresh food that is produced, prepared and distributed in neighborhoods
- Creating a new Get Active website so that parents and children have more convenient information to take advantage of free or low cost physical activities, recipes, fitness tips and more.
- Bicycling and walking opportunities including new bikeways, bike parking, bike lanes, the annual BikeColumbus event, walking maps and pedestrian and bicycle safety. (Back to top)
Streets Slated for Resurfacing
Street resurfacing is more prominent in Columbus this year than in 2009. Amid the deep recession and the subsequent City budget crisis, no city funds were available for resurfacing in 2009. Capital improvement funds for resurfacing are available in 2010 thanks to voter approval of Issue 1 in August of 2009 and subsequent bond sale by City Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian in November 2009. Funding for the resurfacing of 16 streets was included in the November bond sale. The resurfacing of those 16 streets began in May after City Council approved a $3.5 million contract for the improvements. In addition, City Council earlier this year approved Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s proposed 2010 Capital Improvements Budget, which includes $20 million for street resurfacing. Legislation funding a contract for the resurfacing of an additional 35 streets was scheduled to be considered by City Council in mid to late-June. Legislation to fund more street resurfacing will be sent to City Council later this year.
In the midst of the 2009 City budget crisis, the city did receive $3 million in federal Stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Portions of three other streets in the project --- Miller Avenue, Mooberry Street and Tussing Road --- were resurfaced last fall, with six streets completed this spring.
2010 Youth Curfew Information
This year the Columbus Division of Police plans to continue its successful relationship with Franklin County Children Services in its approach towards curfew violations. Summertime typically brings an increase in the number of reported curfew violations, and as in past years, Columbus Police will continue to respond to calls for service around this issue. Upon apprehension of an individual in violation of curfew, Officer’s will attempt to make contact with the juveniles parent or legal guardian. If they are unable to do so, Officer’s will transport the youth to Children Services and turn over custody to the agency. Franklin County Children Services can then reach out and engage the parent and youth with the appropriate services dependent upon the reason for the violation. As always, the goal of this effort is to keep our youth safe, and we look forward to working together to accomplish this goal. (Back to top)
Menard’s Coming to Northland Village
When Northland Mall closed its doors in 2002, Mayor Michael B. Coleman pledged that the site would be redeveloped. On May 24, ground was broken for the first Menard’s home improvement store in Columbus. Menard’s is investing $11.5 million in the location, which is expected to provide 80 full-time jobs, and stimulate continued investment and redevelopment in the Northland area. Numerous infrastructure improvements are planned or in progress for the Morse Road corridor, including landscaped medians, new curbs and gutters, street trees, sidewalks, improved streetlights and traffic signals and pedestrian crossing upgrades at intersections. The Mayor is excited by this big step toward a vibrant Northland Village, and intends to be the first customer when the store opens in 2011. (Back to top)
2010 Neighborhood Pride Districts Announced
Neighborhood Pride was created by Mayor Coleman in 2000, bringing together city departments to coordinate services proactively into a specific area for a full week. It was nationally recognized in 2006 as one of the reasons Columbus was selected as an All America City. Since 2000, Columbus employees have worked in 64 Pride areas. The 11th season of Neighborhood Pride began May 28 at Moler Elementary School on the city’s South Side. Local residents, business owners and City teams joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman to announce four new neighborhoods to be toured, including: the South Side Area Commission, the Hilltop, the Southwest Area Commission, and a revisit to the very first pride area in 2000, Forest Park
Boundaries for the 2010 Neighborhood Pride Districts are listed below. Maps and a schedule of when Neighborhood Pride will be in an area are available at www.columbus.gov.
Columbus South Side Area Commission
2010 Pride District Boundaries
North: South of Reinhard Ave
South: State Route 104
East: Alum Creek Drive
West: Fairwood Ave
Hilltop Area Commission
2010 Pride District Boundaries
North: Olive St
South: Sullivant Ave
East: S. Terrace Ave
West: S. Ogden
Columbus Southwest Area Commission
2010 Pride District Boundaries
North: Frank Rd
South: Hardy Parkway/ Gantz Road
East: Brown Road
West: Gantz Road
Forest Park
2010 Pride District Boundaries
North: Northcliff Dr/Green Apple Ave
South: Morse Rd
East: Cleveland Ave
West: Tamarack Blvd./ Avalon Ave
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