Old Beechwold: Columbus to start one project as Columbia Gas of Ohio finishes another
The Old Beechwold neighborhood is about to see another round of infrastructure repair.
As Columbia Gas of Ohio finishes up a line-replacement project in March, the city of Columbus will begin its own $7 million improvement effort that likely will begin next month and last into early next year.
The Columbus Department of Public Utilities soon will begin constructing about 9,200 linear feet of storm sewer, two bioretention basins – per the recommendations of the eco-friendly Blueprint Columbus – and roughly 9,400 linear feet of water main.
The work also includes roadway improvements, including resurfacing.
"Columbia Gas has coordinated with the city of Columbus to ensure Old Beechwold is ready for upcoming city projects,” said Luka Papalko, public-affairs manager for Columbia Gas. “With our current work in the area, we have relocated our facilities to be out of conflict and also upgraded infrastructure for continued system safety and reliability."
George Zonders, spokesperson for the public utilities, said city officials worked closely with local representatives to mitigate inconveniences related to traffic through the historical neighborhood.
Both the city and neighborhood worked together to see that the construction has a limited effect on large, mature trees in the area, Zonders said.
The project started as a stormwater study to address flooding issues in the neighborhood. Problems with sanitary sewers also were identified, he said.
Because water-main replacements were planned for Old Beechwold, the Division of Water joined the project, and the Department of Public Service became involved because of the roadway improvements, Zonders said.
Meanwhile, Columbia has spent the past seven months in the neighborhood, replacing gas lines and relocating meters from the interior of houses to the exterior, which, the company maintains, is safer and makes it easier for meter-readers.
Close to 70% of the residents who were affected by Columbia Gas of Ohio's’ work had their meters moved from the interior to the exterior.
The work, which was started in June, was done on West Jeffrey Place, West Beechwold Boulevard, Olentangy Boulevard, West Royal Forest Boulevard, Rustic Bridge Road, Rustic Place and Riverview Park Drive.
Amelia Jeffers of Olentangy Boulevard said she appreciates the gas-line infrastructure work but has had moments of frustration, such as the times access to her house were blocked off by trucks.
“It’s been my experience that they’re doing their best to accommodate the neighborhood while still getting it done,” she said.
She said she feels the same way about the upcoming city work but added, “I’m not looking forward to it.”
gseman@thisweeknews.com
@ThisWeekGary
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Old Beechwold: Columbus to start one project as Columbia Gas of Ohio finishes another
