Columbus Council Approves $23.9M Highway Contract, Advances District Elections Charter Fix in Latest Session
Columbus City Council held its most recent regular meeting on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., working through 143 agenda items ranging from major road and water infrastructure contracts to neighborhood grants, liquor permit matters, and a batch of board and commission appointments.
Major infrastructure spending approved
The single largest item on the agenda was an ordinance authorizing up to $23,868,642.76 for the Arterial - SR161 - I-71 to Cleveland Avenue Phase 2 project, funded through the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, the OPWC Grants and Loans Fund, and federal transportation grants, with a contract awarded to Shelly and Sands, Inc. Council also approved $3,904,562.36 for the Polaris Parkway roadway project between Gemini Place and South Old State Road, with Double Z Construction Company as contractor.
On the utility side, council approved an emergency $2.5 million contract with New River Electrical Corporation for emergency upgrades to power distribution lines, issued under a Mayor's Emergency Waiver dated August 12, 2026. Several multimillion-dollar water line improvement contracts also passed, including $7.36 million for the Heyl Avenue Area Water Line Improvements Project and $6.8 million for the Shamrock Drive Area Water Line Improvements Project, both contingent on Ohio Water Development Authority loan approval.
Charter amendment on council district elections
Council approved a technical fix to a previously passed ordinance establishing Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1, "City Council District Elections," correcting a drafting error in the earlier legislation. The underlying charter amendment, which voters may ultimately decide, would restructure how Columbus City Council members are elected.
Parks, water reclamation, and public safety funding
Council approved $1,015,000 for exterior improvements at the Marion Franklin Recreation Center, awarded to Berglund Construction Company, and authorized the Recreation and Parks Department to accept a $1 million state grant toward the North Market Grand Atrium project, along with a new cooperative use agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and the North Market Development Authority.
On public safety, council approved $2 million for the purchase of automobiles, light-duty trucks, and associated up-fitting for the Divisions of Fire and Police, and a $139,680.33 contract with Pen-Link Ltd. for police investigative software.
Neighborhood and social service grants
A cluster of smaller grants aimed at neighborhood and human services also passed, including $145,000 to LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program, $100,000 to the Neighborhood Design Center for the "614 Beautiful" program, $20,000 to the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless for emergency supply replenishment, and $15,000 each to support the Adopt-a-Center Program and the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS Columbus).
Council also adopted resolutions supporting brownfield remediation grant applications for three redevelopment sites: the former Buckeye Auto Parts salvage yard at 2474 McKinley Avenue (Thrive Companies), a site at 1000 Joyce Avenue (Scannell Properties), and a property at 800 Frank Road (Northpoint Development).
Liquor permits and ceremonial items
Council withdrew objections to several liquor permit renewals, including Speedway LLC locations on Stelzer Road and South High Street, True North Energy on Lockbourne Road, and Buckeye Supermarket on Walford Street, clearing the way for those permits to proceed. Council also adopted ceremonial resolutions recognizing September 13, 2026, as "Recovery Sunday" in Columbus and celebrating the 15th anniversary of Hope City Global's service to the city.
Appointments
Council approved numerous appointments and reappointments to area commissions and community authority boards, including Denise Robinson, president and CEO of Alvis Inc., to the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, along with new and returning members across the Greater Hilltop, Columbus South Side, and Far South Columbus area commissions, the Columbus Zoological Park Association Board, and several New Community Authority boards.
Zoning Committee action
Earlier the same day, the council's Zoning Committee approved, as amended, a rezoning of 2700 E. 6th Avenue from manufacturing and apartment residential districts to Limited Manufacturing District, along with an associated variance to allow an automobile repair facility with reduced development standards at the site. The committee also advanced a variance for reduced parking development standards at 290 N. Champion Avenue.
What's next
Full agendas, ordinance text, and voting records are available through the Columbus City Clerk's Legislative Information Center (Legistar).
Source / more info: City of Columbus Legislative Information Center — https://columbus.legistar.com/