Press Release:
Neighborhood Leaders Celebrate Project to Reconnect Franklinton
Franklinton neighborhood leaders joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council members, Franklin County Engineer Dean Ringle, Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jolene M. Molitoris and MORPC Executive Director Chester R. Jourdan, Jr., to break ground on the new Rich Street Bridge today. The project will reconnect Franklinton with Downtown following demolition of the old Town Street Bridge in 2008. The bridge is scheduled for completion in August 2011.
“As we approach our city’s bicentennial, it is time to reconnect our very first neighborhood with our Downtown,†Mayor Coleman said. “The Rich Street Bridge project will create and retain jobs in Columbus while revitalizing Franklinton.â€Â
The project will include improvements to West Bank Park and other areas on the west side of the Scioto River, making the area more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and better enable it to host festivals during the spring and summer.
“We’re thrilled to have this beautiful bridge in Franklinton,†said Franklinton Development Association Executive Director Jim Sweeney. “Opening this new link to Downtown Columbus is another major step towards the rebirth of the peninsula and East Franklinton. It will greatly enhance our revitalization efforts throughout the community.â€Â
“We in Franklinton look forward to once again being able to cross the river without having to go to Broad Street or get on the freeway,†said Franklinton Area Commission Chair Carol Stewart. “We are very happy about this.â€Â
West Bank Park improvements will include new bike paths, lighting and landscaping. Washington Boulevard between Rich and Town streets will be resurfaced and new sidewalks, curbs and street lighting will be added.
“The Rich Street Bridge project is just one part of an overall rebirth of the downtown Columbus,†said Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, chair of the Public Service and Transportation committee. “The West Bank Park is a focal point of pride and activity, a gathering place to celebrate a number of unique community events.â€Â
The Rich Street Bridge project will be built with multiple funding sources, including $3.2 million in federal earmarks and nearly $2.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 dollars.
“The partnership between ODOT and the City of Columbus has never been stronger, as we work together on revitalizing one of Ohio’s core urban centers,†said ODOT Director Molitoris, who noted that the Recovery Act has allowed investment in several projects in downtown Columbus, including improvements along Parsons and Livingston Avenues. “Our historic investments in transportation are putting Ohioans to work today building a safer, greener, more multi-modal transportation system for our future.â€Â
“This single event demonstrates what collaboration can achieve,†said MORPC Executive Director Chester R. Jourdan, Jr. “MORPC is proud to have played a part in this collaboration of both public and private partnerships.â€Â
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