Clintonville Area Commission

1999 Bond Proposal

April, 1999

Project Summary
Clintonville Area Commission - Proposed Capital Improvements

Recreation and Parks Improvements:
$175,000 - Olentangy Bikeway bridge at Henderson Road.
$900,000 - Whetstone Recreation Center upgrades.
$120,000 - Olentangy Bikeway improvements: Northmoor and Whetstone Parks.
$60,000 - Whetstone and Northmoor Park picnic facility upgrades.
$Undetermined - Purchase of Sharon School property from Columbus Public Schools System for pocket park development in Sharon Heights.
$Undetermined - Upgrade of Rush Run Park.
$Undetermined - Upgrade of Barbara Roselea Senior Center.
$Undetermined - Purchase the Bill Moose Run property from the Don M. Casto Organization which runs from North High Street to the Olentangy River and to the north of Graceland Shopping Center.


Street and Highway Improvements:
$ 264,000 - Curb replacement fund for 2 miles.
$Undetermined - Traffic calming devices for five additional Clintonville residential streets.
$Undetermined - Henderson Road improvements.
$Undetermined - Sidewalks and curbs for East Kanawha and East Charleston Avenues.


Stormwater Improvements:
$300,000 - Walhalla & Overbrook ravine stream bed maintenance.
$Undetermined - Implementation of recommended solutions for findings of C.I.P. 405.2 (Clintonville Area) and C.I.P. 405.5 (Walhalla Area).


Electricity Improvements:
$1,900,000 - Residential street illumination Project 2020 continuation.
$1,000,000 - High Street, north of Morse Road, illumination upgrades.


Public Safety Improvements:
$1,700,000 - Fire House #19 expansion
$Undetermined - Police substation office in State of Ohio Schools for the Blind/Deaf.



Clintonville Area Commission:
1999 Proposed Capital Improvements - Justification Narrative

Recreation and Parks Improvements:
$175,000 - Olentangy Bikeway bridge at Henderson Road.

Clintonville residents are avid users of the Olentangy Bikeway. Residents from other areas of Columbus and central Ohio also utilize this bikeway. Bike riders, runners, walkers and persons on roller blades frequent the path.

A bottleneck in the bikeway occurs as pedestrians and bicyclists vie for the narrow sidewalk crossing on the Henderson Road bridge over the Olentangy River. A chain link fence dividing it from the street narrows this sidewalk even further.

In the past, vehicles have left the roadway and run up onto the sidewalk. The volume of traffic, the narrow sidewalk and roadway, and the heavy usage of this portion of the bikeway call for the construction of a new bikeway bridge. This Henderson Road bikeway bridge would link the east bank of the river, adjacent to Whetstone High School, to the west bank of the river.

$900,000 - Whetstone Recreation Center upgrades.

Opened in 1956, the Whetstone Recreation Center has offered the residents of Columbus and surrounding cities a mixed-use recreational facility with a variety of programming. The physical facilities are aging and in need of repair.

In addition, the Whetstone Recreation Center is the front door of the Whetstone Park and the Park of Roses, which are both located to the west of the facility. To the south of the center is the Whetstone Branch of the Columbus Public Library. This library branch has the second highest volume of use of branches within the Columbus Public Library system. The use of these facilities and recreational areas nearby the Whetstone Recreation Center speak to the general high volume of citizens seeking programming and utilizing the space associated with the Center.

Northmoor and Whetstone Parks:
$120,000 - Olentangy Bikeway improvements

The Olentangy Bikeway is a heavily traveled pathway. With a mixed use of bikers, runners, walkers, and persons on roller blades and a volume of traffic that is beyond the capacity of the current path, widening of the paved surface is needed. It is recommended that the path be widened from 8 feet to 12 feet to accommodate for the current over capacity use.

Bikeway improvements are eligible for partial supplemental funding from non-City sources.


$60,000 - Whetstone and Northmoor Park picnic facility upgrades.

Whetstone Park, dedicated in 1950, is noted as being one of the largest and most utilized City park facilities. This park area is pedestrian oriented. Some maintenance within the park has been neglected and wear from age and use have resulted in the picnic facilities deteriorating to the point that the facilities are in significant disrepair.

The CAC advocates that monies be appropriated so that Whetstone Park and the older Northmoor Park can have replacement picnic tables installed and that consideration be given to additional tables and roofed shelter facilities.

In addition, restroom facilities are in need of improvement. Water sources for drinking and water supply to community events must be improved.

$Undetermined - Purchase of Sharon School property from Columbus Public Schools System for pocket park development in Sharon Heights.

There are currently no Columbus parks within the northern part of Clintonville, north of Morse Road and within the Sharon Heights community. An opportunity exists to take a former Columbus Public School property, Sharon Elementary School that has been closed by the school system, and maintain the open green space as a pocket park.

Currently, the park and recreational areas of the former Sharon School greenspace have several baseball diamonds, football field in the fall and winter, and an environment area . This natural area was used for environmental education during the life of Sharon School. It is the last remaining portion of a ravine that once traveled from the north to the south ending at the Bill Moose Run Ravine.

The residents of the Sharon Heights area of the CAC (CAC District Nine) desire that this current greenspace and recreational area become a pocket park under the direction of the Division of Recreation and Parks for the City of Columbus.


$Undetermined - Upgrade of Rush Run Park.

Rush Run Park is a piece of land that resides in the City of Worthington but is owned by the City of Columbus. It is under constant attack by groups wishing to develop it. The land currently is in its natural state and fallow.

It is the desire of the residents of northern Clintonville that this land be utilized as a park as was agreed to when the land was trade for by the City when State Route 315 was being constructed. Park utilization would require the addition of some picnic areas and possible other items such as signage and trail maintenance. Most importantly, the park needs to be cleaned of dumped trash and protected from environmental abuse.

Rush Run Park is located north of Broadmeadows Boulevard, west of North High Street and east of the Olentangy River.


$Undetermined - Upgrade of Barbara Roselea Senior Center.

The Barbara Roselea Senior Center is utilized well past its capacity. Parking is in considerable short supply due to the high volume of use of the center. The lack of ability for the center to expand its programming on-site in the face of increasing demand and the problems caused by overflow parking on residential streets demand that this center either be relocated or another senior center opened in the Clintonville area to alleviate the overcrowding.


$Undetermined - Purchase the Bill Moose Run property from the Don M. Casto Organization which runs from North High Street to the Olentangy River and to the north of Graceland Shopping Center.

The Bill Moose Run is the furthermost north ravine and stream within Clintonville. It runs from east of I-71 to the Olentangy River. A significant portion of this ravine has been protected from destructive development by an environmental easement made law by the Ohio House and Senate and signed by former Governor George Voinovich.

The westernmost run of this ravine and stream is owned by a private development company. This stretch runs from west of North High Street to the Olentangy River. It is located just north of the Graceland Shopping Center in northern Clintonville.

It is the desire of the residents of Clintonville that the integrity of the Bill Moose Run ravine and stream be maintained. To guarantee the future life of this significant natural resource, it is advocated by the CAC that the portion of Bill Moose Run west of North High Street to the Olentangy River be acquired by the City of Columbus and maintained as a natural ravine and stream.


Street and Highway Improvements:
$264,000 - Curb replacement fund for 2 miles

Clintonville streets are aging, having been constructed primarily from 1920 to 1940. Curbs that were constructed during that period are deteriorating. The CAC advocates that funding be set aside to provide for the replacement of 2 miles of existing curbs per bond package. This distance would provide new curbs for approximately 260 homes within a community of 8,300 homes over the next 5 years.


$Undetermined - Traffic calming devices for five additional Clintonville residential streets.

The implementation of traffic calming devices and techniques along residential streets within Clintonville has been widely accepted. In fact, residential groups have established task forces with the primary goal of slowing speeding traffic and diverting cut through traffic from residential streets.

The Traffic Calming Engineer within the Traffic Division of the City of Columbus has identified several streets within Clintonville that met the standards set for the implementation of traffic calming devices. Currently, this effort is funded with a small and ineffective budget that allows for only a piecemeal implementation of these traffic tools and tactics.

The CAC advocates that the City increase the budget of the Traffic Calming Engineer so that implementation of these proven traffic calming tactics and techniques can be undertaken.


$Undetermined - Henderson Road improvements.

Henderson Road, from North High Street to the Olentangy River, has a deteriorating roadbed. This roadbed must be completely replaced. The curbs, gutters and sidewalks also are in need of repair or replacement. The City has detailed a plan by which this repair and replacement could be completed.

The CAC advocates that the repairs and replacements needed for Henderson Road, within the area stated above, be funded. Further, we advocate that the residents living on and near the area to be repaired and replaced be made a part of the planning process so that the roadway is not altered in a way that is undesirable to the neighborhood.


$Undetermined - Sidewalks and curbs for East Kanawha and East Charleston Avenues.

Kanawha and Charleston Avenues are in the northernmost part of Clintonville. They are within the boundaries of CAC District Nine. These roads are heavily traveled by automotive traffic and pedestrian traffic. No sidewalks exist on either street to allow for the safe travel of pedestrians.

This area of Clintonville is being populated by families and active citizens who walk, run, bike and roller blade along these streets.

The CAC advocates that funds be dedicated to allow for the development of sidewalks and curbs on these streets. Further, we advocate that the residents living on and near the streets be involved in the planning process so that sidewalks and curbs can be developed with the guidance of those residents.


Stormwater Improvements:
$300,000 - Walhalla & Overbrook ravine stream bed maintenance.

The Walhalla and Overbrook ravines are impacted significantly by homes in and near them. Storm water drainage into the ravines has increased and has caused a notable erosion of the streambeds. Utility service lines cross the streams and are now above the streambed which has been lowered by erosion. This erosion also endangers mature trees and roadways nearby.

The CAC advocates that monies be designated for a comprehensive restoration of the Walhalla and Overbrook streambeds and parkland right-of-way.

As discussed in the 1993 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Columbus, ravines are a unique natural treasure within our City. Ravines need care and maintenance that will forestall any irreversible deterioration and damage.

$Undetermined - Implementation of recommended solutions for findings of C.I.P. 405.2 (Clintonville Area) and C.I.P. 405.5 (Walhalla Area).

The C.I.P 405.2 study of the Clintonville basin was initiated by the City of Columbus in 1997. The C.I.P 405.5 study of the Walhalla basin was initiated by the City in 1998. During this study, over 2,000 manholes were inspected, over 515,000 linear feet of lines were smoke tested, approximately 66,000 linear feet of the system were CCTV inspected, and 278 locations dye water tested. In addition, a comprehensive flow-metering program was initiated with 69 meters installed throughout the system.

The engineering firm Metcalf & Eddy was contracted by the City to undertake this study, the most comprehensive in the history of Clintonville. All of Clintonville, from its furthest north boundary to its furthest south, was studied. Significant system failings and breeches were identified.

Metcalf & Eddy proposed a strategy to correct the failings and breeches that were found. This includes a neighborhood system strategy and a major system strategy. The final report and recommended strategies will be presented at a public meeting on April 28, 1999.

The CAC advocates that the strategies recommended by this comprehensive study be implemented and that monies be dedicated to do so immediately.


Electricity Improvements:
$1,900,000 - Residential street illumination Project 2020 continuation.

Clintonville is a community actively involved in the implementation of the City of Columbus, Division of Electricity, Project 2020 program. Areas north of Morse Road have no street lighting or lighting that is inadequate for the level of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on residential streets.

The residents of Clintonville have advocated that no wood poles be used on residential streets and that overhead wires be eliminated wherever possible. In addition, the residents of Clintonville have consistently participated in assessment programs that would facilitate the addition of boulevard style post lamps with underground wiring in lieu of overhead wired fixtures.

The CAC advocates the continuation of the Division of Electricity’s Project 2020 implementation in Clintonville, including those residential streets within the City of Columbus north of Morse Road. Further, the CAC advocates that residents who become included in Project 2020 have the opportunity to review and accept or decline the assessment programs which would allow for boulevard style post lamps and underground wiring.


$1,000,000 - High Street, north of Morse Road, illumination upgrades.

During the past several years, the CAC and the City of Columbus, Division of Electricity, have worked together to address the deteriorating illumination systems along North High Street in Clintonville. This is the "main street" of Clintonville.

More than simply replacing old lights with overhead "Cobra" styled lights and keeping wiring above ground, the CAC and the Division of Electricity have developed alternative illumination solutions that fit the comprehensive lighting plan of Clintonville created in 1994. Teardrop fixtures have been installed along the east curb of North High Street and "Lamp Post" styled lights along the west curb.

This project has been successfully implemented along North High Street. Currently, these illumination improvements, either in place or planned, extend from Morse Road on the north to Arcadia to the south.

North High Street, north of Morse Road to the Worthington City limits, was not included in the current project plan. This is a stretch of approximately two miles. These two miles are within the boundaries of Clintonville and the CAC. It is the desire of the residents and businesses along this short stretch of North High Street that the plan that was approved and initiated south of Morse Road, be extended north of Morse Road to the Worthington City limits. Further, it is desired that the lighting styles used south of Morse Road be used north of Morse Road in this approximately two-mile stretch. Without this step, the City of Columbus will leave approximately two miles of its main north/south street, North High Street without adequate street illumination. It will also leave bare the last piece of streetscape between the cites of Columbus and Worthington.

The CAC advocates that monies be budgeted to complete the improvement of the illumination along North High Street, from Morse Road to the Worthington City limits, and do so in a manner that is consistent and congruous with the illumination improvements along North High Street south of Morse Road.


Public Safety Improvements:
$1,700,000 - Fire House #19 expansion

The City of Columbus’ Fire Engine House #19 is in need of replacement. The City has planned and budgeted for the replacement of this station in the 1995 bond package. However, legal proceedings have delayed the implementation of the planned new building.

The CAC advocates that the current building design, agreed to by the City and the residents of Clintonville, be implemented in total regardless of the cost to the City for its legal costs associated with acquiring the two real estate lots located directly to the north of the current Fire Engine House #19.


$Undetermined - Police substation office in State of Ohio Schools for the Blind/Deaf.

The Division of Police within the City of Columbus desires to put a small substation in a location on the properties of the Ohio State Schools for the Blind and/or Deaf. This mini-substation is needed to allow Precinct Three officers to complete reports and have access to office space on the east side of the Olentangy River.

The CAC advocates that monies be budgeted to allow the Division of Police to develop a functional mini-substation on this site located east of the Olentangy River to allow for better service to the residents east of the river.