Columbus approves $4 million contract boost for Easton police substation
The emergency measure brings current construction costs to $14 million, with total expenses projected at $18 million amid subsurface site challenges and material tariffs.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Police Chief Elaine Bryant, Councilmember Emmanuel Remy, and project leaders break ground on the new Columbus Police Substation 6 at Easton on Oct. 19, 2026.
Credit: WSYX / Erin Simonek Image source
Emergency legislation authorizes a $4 million contract modification with Elford, Inc. for the Easton Police Substation project. The measure increases the construction agreement for the facility, officially designated as Columbus Division of Police Substation 6, bringing the current contract to $14 million.
Previously, Pique reported that council was scheduled to consider the contract increase.
City records project that the total project cost will reach $18 million after a second planned $4 million modification. Municipal records state that the second amendment is required because expenses rose due to subsurface soil conditions on the property and steep tariffs on aluminum, copper, steel, and lumber. Elevated fuel and machinery expenses have also driven up city costs for manufacturing and truck deliveries during construction.
The emergency legislation authorizes the $4 million expenditure through the Safety General Obligations Bond Fund. Council approved the original $10 million agreement on June 1, 2026. The legislation requested emergency handling in order to maintain the current schedule and minimize project delays.
Site grading and excavation underway for the new Columbus Police Substation 6 near Easton Town Center in October 2026.
Credit: WSYX / Erin Simonek Image source
Columbus city leaders broke ground on the project near Easton Town Center on Oct. 19. The new facility at Easton Way and Sunbury Road will replace the city's 52-year-old Police Substation 6. Easton is providing four acres of land for the project. The new substation is scheduled to open in early 2028 and will house about 70 officers, including patrol officers, community liaisons, and detectives.
Councilman Emmanuel Remy, chair of council's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, said the infrastructure investment is intended to keep pace with the city's growth. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said the department has monitored crime data around Easton and coordinated with private security to decrease incidents.
The planned relocation has prompted concerns among some area residents regarding emergency response times in nearby communities. Matt Monell, who lives in the Upper Albany West neighborhood, said Easton seems far away for response calls and favored having someone closer. Other neighborhood homeowners told ABC 6 they worry crime could rise in their areas once officers move to the new substation.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (9)
Emergency legislation authorizes a $4 million contract modification with Elford, Inc. for the Easton Police Substation project.
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To authorize the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Construction Management, to modify and increase the Professional Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) Services agreement with Elford, Inc.; for the Department of Public Safety’s Easton Police Substation project; to authorize an expenditure up to $4,000,000.00 within the Safety General Obligations Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($4,000,000.00)
The measure increases the construction agreement for the facility, officially designated as Columbus Division of Police Substation 6, bringing the current contract to $14 million.
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This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Construction Management, to modify and increase the Professional Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) Services agreement, with Elford, Inc., for the Department of Public Safety’s Columbus Police Substation #6 (Easton) facility project (hereinafter designated “Easton Police Substation”), in an amount up to $4,000,000.00.
The measure increases the construction agreement for the facility, officially designated as Columbus Division of Police Substation 6, bringing the current contract to $14 million.
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Original Contract Amount: $10,000,000.00 (PO570304) Modification No. 1 (GMP #1) (current): $ 4,000,000.00 Grand Total (current): $14,000,000.00
City records project that the total project cost will reach $18 million after a second planned $4 million modification.
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Modification No. 2 (GMP #2) (future): $ 4,000,000.00 Total project cost: $18,000,000.00
Municipal records state that the second amendment is required because expenses rose due to subsurface soil conditions on the property and steep tariffs on aluminum, copper, steel, and lumber.
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This modification is needed as construction costs have increased due to the subsurface conditions of the property and steep tariffs on aluminum, copper, steel, and lumber.
Elevated fuel and machinery expenses have also driven up city costs for manufacturing and truck deliveries during construction.
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Energy and fuel prices increased costs for manufacturing, truck deliveries, and machinery to construct buildings.
The emergency legislation authorizes the $4 million expenditure through the Safety General Obligations Bond Fund.
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There are sufficient funds and budgetary authority within the Safety G.O. Bonds Fund - Fund No. 7701 for this expenditure.
Council approved the original $10 million agreement on June 1, 2026.
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The original agreement under PO570304, established the initial Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) Services agreement and was authorized by Ordinance No. 1430-2026, and approved by City Council on June 1, 2026. Modification No. 1 (current) will provide funding for the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP #1) of construction. This modification was planned and mentioned under the original Ordinance No. 1430-2026. 2. MODIFICATION INFO: A. The amt of additional funds to be expended under this modification: $4,000,000.00 Original Contract Amount: $10,000,000.00 (PO570304)
The legislation requested emergency handling in order to maintain the current schedule and minimize project delays.
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It is requested that this Ordinance be handled in an emergency manner in order to maintain the current schedule and minimize project delays.
Columbus City Council to consider $4 million contract increase for Easton police substation
Supporting evidence (2)
Previously, Pique reported that council was scheduled to consider the contract increase.
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Columbus City Council to consider $4 million contract increase for Easton police substation
Columbus city leaders broke ground on the project near Easton Town Center on Oct. 19.
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Columbus city leaders broke ground on the $14 million project near Easton Town Center on Oct. 19.
Supporting evidence (8)
The new facility at Easton Way and Sunbury Road will replace the city's 52-year-old Police Substation 6.
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The $14 million project will replace the city's 52-year-old Police Substation 6 with a new facility at the corner of Easton Way and Sunbury Road.
Easton is providing four acres of land for the project.
The new substation is scheduled to open in early 2028 and will house about 70 officers, including patrol officers, community liaisons, and detectives.
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The substation is expected to open in early 2028 and will bring about 70 officers to the area, including patrol officers, community liaisons and detectives.
Councilman Emmanuel Remy, chair of council's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, said the infrastructure investment is intended to keep pace with the city's growth.
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Councilman Emmanuel Remy, chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, said the investment is intended to keep pace with the city's growth. “I believe one of our most important responsibilities is making sure our public-safety infrastructure grows and evolves alongside our city,” Remy said.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said the department has monitored crime data around Easton and coordinated with private security to decrease incidents.
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She said those efforts have helped reduce crime in the area. “We've been paying attention. We've followed the data. We've done a lot of work in this particular area along with the partnership. Easton has their own private security. So we've done a really good job in partnering and we have seen a decrease in those numbers,” Bryant said.
The planned relocation has prompted concerns among some area residents regarding emergency response times in nearby communities.
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For some nearby residents, the move raises questions about police response times and the potential impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Matt Monell, who lives in the Upper Albany West neighborhood, said he was surprised to learn about the plans to relocate the existing substation.
Matt Monell, who lives in the Upper Albany West neighborhood, said Easton seems far away for response calls and favored having someone closer.
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Matt Monell, who lives in the Upper Albany West neighborhood, said he was surprised to learn about the plans to relocate the existing substation. “Completely surprised I hadn't heard that. I'm kind of used to them being there,” Monell said. “I like to have somebody closer. Easton seems far away for response calls."
Other neighborhood homeowners told ABC 6 they worry crime could rise in their areas once officers move to the new substation.
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Other homeowners told ABC 6 they are concerned crime could increase in their neighborhoods once officers move to the new location.