Construction Contract Authorized for Miller Kelton Rain Garden Project
The Blueprint Columbus project will install three bioretention basins along Champion and Miller avenues to reduce sewer overflows into Alum Creek.
A Columbus ordinance authorizes a $2.08 million construction contract with Danbert, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton rain garden project. The installation is part of Blueprint Columbus, the city's green infrastructure initiative designed to improve water quality across the region by treating surface runoff before it discharges into waterways.
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, records identify the neighborhood as a Blueprint priority area because more than three acres of stormwater runoff drain into the sanitary sewer system, causing untreated sewer discharges into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail and creating basement backups. During stormwater runoff, rain garden basins function as designed by removing pollutants from rivers and streams.
The project consists of the construction of three bioretention basins at 601-603 S. Champion Ave., 663 Miller Ave. and 717-723 Miller Ave. on city-owned property. The project also includes modifications to the existing stormwater collection and conveyance system, relocation of water lines, removal and replacement of sidewalks, stone and concrete curbs, and asphalt pavement within public rights-of-way and acquired temporary easements. Contract specifications require the work to achieve substantial completion within 365 days of the city issuing a notice to proceed, with final acceptance required within 455 days.
The total $2.08 million award includes a 20% construction contingency to fund approved field changes during construction. Danbert's submission was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid at $2,080,124.69 compared to $2,383,312.20 from Ironsite, Inc. Danbert, Inc. listed eight subcontractors for the project with certified MBE status: Oberlanders, 4K Landscape, Paul Peterson Company, Griffin Pavement Markings, Visu-Sewer, Decker Construction, CAP-Stone & Associates, and Hurt’s Trucking.
Construction is slated to be financed through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, a program jointly administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority. The contract authorization remains explicitly contingent upon the state authority's board approving the loan during its December 2026 meeting. In addition to the construction contract, the measure allocates $2,000 from the Sanitary Bond Fund for prevailing wage services provided by the Department of Public Service, bringing total project expenditures to $2,082,124.69.
Previously, Pique Media reported on council reviewing the rain garden contracts on Oct. 23 and reported on council considering a $12.6 million permeable paver contract in the neighborhood on Oct. 5.
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Supporting evidence (11)
A Columbus ordinance authorizes a $2.08 million construction contract with Danbert, Inc. for the Blueprint Miller Kelton rain garden project.
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This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for public sanitary sewers for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project, CIP #650870-101201, in an amount up to $2,080,124.69; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for construction administration and inspection services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $2,082,124.69.
The installation is part of Blueprint Columbus, the city's green infrastructure initiative designed to improve water quality across the region by treating surface runoff before it discharges into waterways.
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This project is being completed as part of the City’s Blueprint Columbus program. This project will construct various types of green infrastructure (GI) throughout the neighborhood which will provide a higher water quality within the region by treating the surface runoff before it discharges to the waterways.
The project consists of the construction of three bioretention basins at 601-603 S. Champion Ave., 663 Miller Ave. and 717-723 Miller Ave. on city-owned property.
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This project consists of construction of three bioretention basins at following locations: 601-603 S. Champion Avenue, 717-723 Miller Avenue, and 663 Miller Avenue on City owned property.
The project also includes modifications to the existing stormwater collection and conveyance system, relocation of water lines, removal and replacement of sidewalks, stone and concrete curbs, and asphalt pavement within public rights-of-way and acquired temporary easements.
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The project also includes modifications to existing stormwater collection and conveyance system, relocation of water lines, removal/replacement of sidewalk, stone and concrete curbs and asphalt pavement within Public Right-of-Way and acquired temporary easements plus other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract, in accordance with the drawings, technical specifications, special provisions, and City of Columbus Construction and Material Specifications.
Contract specifications require the work to achieve substantial completion within 365 days of the city issuing a notice to proceed, with final acceptance required within 455 days.
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TIMELINE: Contract work is required to be Substantially Complete in a manner acceptable to the City within 365 days from the date that a Notice To Proceed (NTP) is given by the City. Final Acceptance shall be achieved within 455 days of NTP
The total $2.08 million award includes a 20% construction contingency to fund approved field changes during construction.
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ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $ 2,080,124.69, including a 20% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work.
Danbert's submission was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid at $2,080,124.69 compared to $2,383,312.20 from Ironsite, Inc.
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1. Danbert, Inc. $2,080,124.69 CC004618 MAJ 2. Ironsite, Inc. $2,383,312.20 CC005926 MAJ Danbert, Inc.’s bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $2,080,124.69.
Danbert, Inc. listed eight subcontractors for the project with certified MBE status: Oberlanders, 4K Landscape, Paul Peterson Company, Griffin Pavement Markings, Visu-Sewer, Decker Construction, CAP-Stone & Associates, and Hurt’s Trucking.
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Danbert, Inc. listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project: Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status Oberlanders Bucyrus, Ohio MBE 4K Landscape Hilliard, Ohio MBE Paul Peterson Company Columbus, Ohio MBE Griffin Pavement Markings Columbus, Ohio MBE Visu-Sewer Reynoldsburg, Ohio MBE Decker Construction Columbus, Ohio MBE CAP-Stone & Associates Columbus, Ohio MBE Hurt’s Trucking Columbus, Ohio MBE
Construction is slated to be financed through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, a program jointly administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority.
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The construction portion of this project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA).
The contract authorization remains explicitly contingent upon the state authority's board approving the loan during its December 2026 meeting.
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This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA December Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA.
In addition to the construction contract, the measure allocates $2,000 from the Sanitary Bond Fund for prevailing wage services provided by the Department of Public Service, bringing total project expenditures to $2,082,124.69.
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Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is appropriated and available within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project.
Columbus Council Weighs $2.4 Million in Rain Garden Contracts for Miller Kelton
Supporting evidence (3)
In Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, records identify the neighborhood as a Blueprint priority area because more than three acres of stormwater runoff drain into the sanitary sewer system, causing untreated sewer discharges into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail and creating basement backups.
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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, rain garden basins function as designed by removing pollutants from rivers and streams.
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During stormwater runoff across Columbus, rain garden basins function as designed, removing pollutants from rivers and streams.
Previously, Pique Media reported on council reviewing the rain garden contracts on Oct. 23 and reported on council considering a $12.6 million permeable paver contract in the neighborhood on Oct. 5.
Read supporting passage
Columbus Council Weighs $2.4 Million in Rain Garden Contracts for Miller Kelton
Columbus Council Weighs $12.6M Blueprint Contract for Miller Kelton Pavers and Waterlines
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on council reviewing the rain garden contracts on Oct. 23 and reported on council considering a $12.6 million permeable paver contract in the neighborhood on Oct. 5.
Read supporting passage
Columbus Council Weighs $12.6M Blueprint Contract for Miller Kelton Pavers and Waterlines