 | COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: March 7, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
City Council Invests in Economic Development, Job Creation
(Columbus)— Columbus City Councilmember Zachary M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee, visited The Ohio State University campus to detail four exciting, new economic development projects that are part of the proposed 2011 Columbus Capital Budget. City Councilmembers will consider the more than $800-million spending plan this evening during their scheduled Council meeting. One project Councilmember Klein highlighted invests $1.5-million in support of the Cannon Drive relocation project.
“This particular project represents another phase in the ongoing and growing economic and community development partnership between the City of Columbus and The Ohio State University”, said Councilmember Klein. “Moving Cannon Drive to the west will allow Ohio State to continue expansion projects near the Medical Center and Battelle Memorial Institute, creating jobs and growing our economy along the way.”
In addition to the Cannon Drive project, Councilmember Klein also discussed road and sidewalk improvements in the area known as the Creative Campus. The Creative Campus is near the Columbus College of Art and Design and Columbus Museum of Art. The $1.5-million item in the Capital Budget, part of the Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan adopted by City Council in 2010 as a blueprint for downtown development, will lead to creating a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere and community campus feel to the downtown.
Councilmember Klein is also sponsoring an amendment to the Capital Budget that will lead to even more neighborhood improvements near Nationwide Children’s Hospital. A $500,000 investment will allow for the design and engineering work to be completed on street improvements along 18th Avenue on the eastern edge of the hospital’s campus. This is the last major roadway project in the hospital’s $840-million expansion project that will create more than 2,000 new jobs and help support neighborhood improvements already underway with the Healthy Neighborhood/Healthy Families initiative.
Finally, City Council is creating a new way of investing in capital projects that will help ensure funds are available when job creation efforts occur. Council’s Economic Development and Job Creation Fund will allow Council to use capital dollars to invest in development opportunities that will bring jobs and growth to Columbus.
“This first of its kind fund will give City Council the flexibility and responsiveness to support capital budget projects in our community that will continue the momentum of economic development we currently have in Columbus,” said Councilmember Klein.
The initial deposit in the fund will be $250,000. Council will vote on the proposed Capital Budget this evening at 5 pm in City Council Chambers.
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