$18.8 million in infrastructure upgrades planned in Powell through 2027
Revenues generated by the income-tax restructuring approved by Powell city voters in May 2021 are being put to use maintaining, improving and expanding the city's infrastructure, city officials said.
City Council approved a five-year capital improvement plan Oct. 2.
The $18.8 million package includes repair and maintenance projects, new construction and sign projects and a commitment to investigate the acquisition of property, city officials said.
The CIP is designed to be a roadmap for infrastructure and economic-development spending for 2023-2027.
“These capital improvements have been carefully evaluated and selected with a focus on public safety, business development, the quality of life in Powell and fiscal responsibility,” Mayor Dan Swartwout said. “The CIP addresses many of the issues identified in Powell’s most recent Community Attitudes Survey. It’s an exciting time for the city and its residents.”
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City Manager Andrew White said the five-year plan represents a commitment to spend on these kinds of projects, adding that it serves as an important planning tool and delivers on a promise made to residents during the lead-up to the election in which the income-tax plan was approved, he said.
He also said the plan is flexible and allows council to revisit the project list annually.
“There’s an expectation of a quality of life that we’re addressing with this plan,” White said. “To have close to $20 million committed to infrastructure, it’s exciting to think about.”
The plan has been in development for more than a year, as council and city staffers worked to prioritize projects and see how the restructured tax would affect city coffers.
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“It took a little while to learn what the new income-tax revenues were going to look like,” White said. “But passing (the CIP) is our commitment to investing in the city’s infrastructure.”
Projects scheduled for completion in 2023 include the construction of six pickleball courts in Adventure Park ($300,000), implementation of a sign and wayfinding plan ($168,000) and improvements to the Village Green amphitheater ($75,000).
Preliminary work is underway on resolving the longstanding issue of the CSX railroad tunnel near Adventure Park, which is scheduled for completion in 2024, per the CIP. Council in June approved a $106,747 contract with Columbus engineering firm GPD Group to research options to rehabilitate the tunnel or provide an alternative access from one side of the tracks to the other.
At the time, White said, the hope was to have those options available for council to review in late 2022 and that “council’s desire would be to commit to an option as soon as possible.”
Additional projects addressed in the CIP include North Depot Street reconstruction, a South Depot Street extension, Northeast Quadrant parking, a Scioto Street extension and reconstruction, a Liberty Road multiuse path, a remodel of the Lechler building at Liberty Street and Murphy Parkway and reconstruction of Hall Street.
The CIP also approves the transfer of $3.3 million to Powell’s Community Improvement Corp. for potential land acquisition over the next five years. Incorporated in 2010, the CIC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation created to promote development opportunities in Powell.
Notable Powell projects at a glance
Northeast quadrant parking ‒ $3.2 million/projected completion 2026. This project consists of the construction of a 137-space parking area east of the existing businesses on Liberty Street and north of the existing businesses on Olentangy Street.
Scioto Street extension ‒ $2.7 million/projected completion 2025. This project extends Scioto Street east from Liberty Street to Grace Drive, including a new structure over Bartholomew Run, sidewalks on the north and south sides of the street, and the addition of a 15-space parking lot at the northeast corner of Liberty and Scioto.
South Depot Street connection ‒ $2 million/projected completion 2024. This project extends South Depot Street from the southern side of the city of Powell Municipal Building and connects to Liberty Street, including a sidewalk, streetlighting, traffic control and streetscape.
North Depot Street reconstruction ‒ $1.1 million/projected completion 2024. This project improves the roadway and pedestrian facilities on North Depot Street from Powell Road to Case Avenue, including pavement replacement, parking, sidewalk, streetlighting and streetscape.
Scioto Street reconstruction ‒ $1 million/projected completion 2026. This project consists of the reconstruction of Scioto Street between Depot Street and Hall Street, widening the street to allow parking on the north side.
Liberty Road multiuse path ‒ $1 million/projected completion 2025. This project connects the existing multiuse path on the east side of Liberty Road at the CSX railroad crossing to the existing multiuse path on the west side of Murphy Parkway.
Additional projects at a glance
Other projects in the 2023-27 CIP include a remodel of the Lechler building at Liberty and Murphy Parkway ($1 million/2024), reconstruction of Hall Street ($735,000/2026), repair and reconstruction of the CSX railroad tunnel in Adventure Park ($440,000/2024), construction of six pickleball courts in Adventure Park ($300,000/2023), implementation of a signage and wayfinding plan ($168,000/2023), and improvements to the Village Green amphitheater ($75,000/2023).
The 2023-27 CIP also approves the transfer of $3.3 million to Powell’s Community Improvement Corp. for potential land acquisition over the next five years. Incorporated in 2010, the CIC is a 501(c)(3) corporation created to promote development opportunities within the city of Powell.
‒ Source: City of Powell
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: $18.8 million in infrastructure upgrades slated in Powell through 2027
