Columbus Council Weighs $2.4 Million in Rain Garden Contracts for Miller Kelton
The proposed agreements fund construction and inspection for the Blueprint rain garden project to address sewer overflows discharging into Alum Creek.
According to its meeting agenda, Columbus City Council is scheduled to consider authorizing a $2.08 million construction contract with Danbert, Inc. and a $321,900 inspection contract with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton rain garden project during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26. The construction measure was introduced on the council calendar for first reading during its Oct. 19 meeting, according to city agenda records.
Curbside bioretention basins and stormwater planters along Front Street in Columbus, Ohio.
Credit: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Image source
In Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, the Newton-Bedford area extends from South 18th Street to Miller Avenue, between Mooberry and East Livingston Avenue. City project records identify the neighborhood as a Blueprint priority area due to basement backups and untreated sewer discharges into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail. Municipal records document that more than three acres of stormwater runoff drain to the sanitary sewer system, creating additional capacity issues and leading to basement backups.
During stormwater runoff across Columbus, rain garden basins function as designed, removing pollutants from rivers and streams.
Previously, Pique Media reported on council considering a $12.6 million contract for permeable pavers and waterlines in the neighborhood on Oct. 5. The measure authorizes an award to Danbert for the Kent/Fairwood Permeable Pavers project, where permeable pavers feature gravel beds and engineered joints that let rainwater soak into the ground rather than running off paved streets into sanitary drains.
Both rain garden contracts depend on state clean water loan financing and require updates to the municipal capital budget. The construction measure authorizes an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget and allows spending up to $2.08 million from city sanitary loan and bond funds, contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a project loan. The companion inspection agreement with Hatch Associates Consultants amends the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to authorize spending up to $321,902.26 from state clean water loan funds, contingent upon Ohio Water Development Authority loan approval.
Council is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Columbus City Council · 2026-10-26
Supporting evidence (6)
According to its meeting agenda, Columbus City Council is scheduled to consider authorizing a $2.08 million construction contract with Danbert, Inc. and a $321,900 inspection contract with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton rain garden project during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,082,124.69 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund and the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the project.
According to its meeting agenda, Columbus City Council is scheduled to consider authorizing a $2.08 million construction contract with Danbert, Inc. and a $321,900 inspection contract with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton rain garden project during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for Construction Administration and Inspection Services with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc., for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) Projects; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $321,902.26 from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for the contract; and to make the loan funded portion of this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project.
According to its meeting agenda, Columbus City Council is scheduled to consider authorizing a $2.08 million construction contract with Danbert, Inc. and a $321,900 inspection contract with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton rain garden project during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.
Read supporting passage
REGULAR MEETING NO. 47 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL, MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The construction measure authorizes an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget and allows spending up to $2.08 million from city sanitary loan and bond funds, contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a project loan.
Read supporting passage
to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,082,124.69 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund and the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the project.
The companion inspection agreement with Hatch Associates Consultants amends the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to authorize spending up to $321,902.26 from state clean water loan funds, contingent upon Ohio Water Development Authority loan approval.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract for Construction Administration and Inspection Services with Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc., for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) Projects; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $321,902.26 from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for the contract; and to make the loan funded portion of this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the project.
Council is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers.
Read supporting passage
REGULAR MEETING NO. 47 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL, MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Columbus City Council · 2026-10-19
Supporting evidence (3)
The construction measure was introduced on the council calendar for first reading during its Oct. 19 meeting, according to city agenda records.
Read supporting passage
FIRST READING OF 30-DAY LEGISLATION
The construction measure was introduced on the council calendar for first reading during its Oct. 19 meeting, according to city agenda records.
Read supporting passage
REGULAR MEETING NO. 45 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 19, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The construction measure was introduced on the council calendar for first reading during its Oct. 19 meeting, according to city agenda records.
Read supporting passage
2553-2026 · To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project
https://blueprintneighborhoods.com/neighborhoods/miller-kelton/
Supporting evidence (5)
In Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, the Newton-Bedford area extends from South 18th Street to Miller Avenue, between Mooberry and East Livingston Avenue.
Read supporting passage
Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, has been identified as a Blueprint priority area
In Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, the Newton-Bedford area extends from South 18th Street to Miller Avenue, between Mooberry and East Livingston Avenue.
Read supporting passage
Newton-Bedford: S. 18th St. to Miller Ave., between Mooberry and E. Livingston Ave.
City project records identify the neighborhood as a Blueprint priority area due to basement backups and untreated sewer discharges into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail.
Read supporting passage
Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, has been identified as a Blueprint priority area due to a significant number of basement backup incidences and the sanitary sewer overflow that discharges into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail.
Municipal records document that more than three acres of stormwater runoff drain to the sanitary sewer system, creating additional capacity issues and leading to basement backups.
Read supporting passage
over 3 acres of storm water runoff drain to the sanitary sewer system, creating additional capacity issues and leading to basement backups.
During stormwater runoff across Columbus, rain garden basins function as designed, removing pollutants from rivers and streams.
Read supporting passage
Record-setting rainfall and stormwater runoff across Columbus led to the accumulation of weeds, trash and debris in our rain garden basins. This accumulation shows basins function as designed, removing pollutants from our rivers and streams.
Columbus Council Weighs $12.6M Blueprint Contract for Miller Kelton Pavers and Waterlines
Supporting evidence (3)
Previously, Pique Media reported on council considering a $12.6 million contract for permeable pavers and waterlines in the neighborhood on Oct. 5.
Read supporting passage
Columbus Council Weighs $12.6M Blueprint Contract for Miller Kelton Pavers and Waterlines
The measure authorizes an award to Danbert for the Kent/Fairwood Permeable Pavers project, where permeable pavers feature gravel beds and engineered joints that let rainwater soak into the ground rather than running off paved streets into sanitary drains.
Read supporting passage
authorizes the director of Columbus Water and Power to award up to $12,600,862.73 to Danbert, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton – Kent/Fairwood Permeable Pavers and Kent/Fairwood Waterline Improvements project.
The measure authorizes an award to Danbert for the Kent/Fairwood Permeable Pavers project, where permeable pavers feature gravel beds and engineered joints that let rainwater soak into the ground rather than running off paved streets into sanitary drains.
Read supporting passage
Permeable pavers feature gravel beds and engineered joints that let rainwater soak into the ground rather than running off paved streets into sanitary drains.