Columbus Council Advances $10.1 Million Storm Sewer Contract for Near East Side
Legislation heading to a second reading would fund rain gardens, replace waterlines on Gault Street, and upgrade Driving Park.
Columbus City Council placed legislation advancing the neighborhood infrastructure package on first reading on Nov. 2. The ordinance authorizes a total expenditure of up to $10,135,185.42 for Blueprint storm sewers, Gault Street waterline improvements, and Driving Park improvements, advancing the measure to second reading. Under the measure, the city would enter into a $10,133,185.42 construction contract with Plain City-based Danbert, Inc. across the Livingston Avenue Area and Near East planning areas. The measure also sets aside $2,000 for prevailing wage services through the Department of Public Service.
Curbside bioretention basins and green stormwater infrastructure along Front Street in downtown Columbus.
Credit: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Image source
Green Infrastructure and Alum Creek Protection
The work forms part of Blueprint Columbus, the city's green infrastructure initiative to improve regional water quality. City records identify Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, as a priority area due to basement backups and sanitary sewer overflows discharging into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail. To address the runoff, the project will construct rain gardens and storm sewers in public rights-of-way and on city-owned properties to treat surface runoff before it discharges to waterways.
Neighborhood Bounds and Street Improvements
Neighborhood construction will be concentrated within a project area bounded by Main Street and Livingston Avenue on the north and south, and between Rhoads Avenue and Miller Avenue on the east and west. Along with storm sewers, the contract includes waterline relocation as well as pavement and sidewalk restoration. The legislation also dedicates $62,629.03 for Driving Park improvements through the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund. Once the city issues a formal notice to proceed, contract specifications require Danbert to complete the work within 630 days, with the contract sum incorporating a 10% construction contingency to cover approved changes.
Bidding Competition and Subcontractor Commitments
The city solicited competitive bids for the work from Aug. 11 through Sept. 16. Officials opened four bids for the project on Sept. 16, determining Danbert to be the lowest and best responsive bid at $10,133,185.42. Danbert submitted the lowest proposal among four bidding contractors, underbidding Ironsite, Inc. ($12,786,714.70), Complete General Construction ($14,587,193.47), and Driven Excavating LLC ($16,039,36087).
Danbert listed several subcontractors for the project, including Garica Surveyors and Hurt's Trucking with certified MBE status. City filings list additional participating subcontractors as Strawser Paving, Oberlanders, Decker Construction Company, Danbert Electrical, 4K Landscape, Paul Peterson Company, and Griffin Pavement Striping.
State Financing Contingency and Next Steps
Contract execution is explicitly contingent on loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority. For the Kent/Fairwood storm sewer portion, council authorized an appropriation of $9,370,317.73 in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund under a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund application council authorized on Dec. 15, 2025. For the Gault Street waterline improvements, the ordinance authorizes an appropriation of $700,238.66 in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Loan Fund under an application council approved on March 2.
The storm sewer and waterline loans are slated for approval at the December board meeting. The agency's calendar lists the meeting for Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at 480 South High Street.
Previously, Pique Media reported on council weighing a $12.6 million permeable paver contract on Oct. 5, considering $2.4 million in rain garden contracts on Oct. 23, and authorizing the rain garden construction award on Oct. 29.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (26)
The ordinance authorizes a total expenditure of up to $10,135,185.42 for Blueprint storm sewers, Gault Street waterline improvements, and Driving Park improvements, advancing the measure to second reading.
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This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract through the City’s Invitation for Bid process with Danbert, Inc., for the CIP #650870-101202, 690236-100160, & 517018-100000; Blueprint Kent/Fairwood Storm Sewers: Gault Street Waterline Improvements; and Driving Park Improvements in an amount up to $10,133,185.42; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00; for a total expenditure of up to $10,135,185.42.
The ordinance authorizes a total expenditure of up to $10,135,185.42 for Blueprint storm sewers, Gault Street waterline improvements, and Driving Park improvements, advancing the measure to second reading.
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{Body=Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee, Content type=Legislation, Document coverage=API text and document metadata; linked PDF bytes are not retained, File=2843-2026, Legislation type=Ordinance, Municipality=columbus, Status=Second Reading, Text version=1}
Under the measure, the city would enter into a $10,133,185.42 construction contract with Plain City-based Danbert, Inc. across the Livingston Avenue Area and Near East planning areas.
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enter into a construction contract for the Blueprint Kent/Fairwood Storm Sewer & Gault Street Waterline Improvements projects with Danbert, Inc., 8077 Memorial Drive, Plain City, OH 43064, in an amount up to $10,133,185.42
Under the measure, the city would enter into a $10,133,185.42 construction contract with Plain City-based Danbert, Inc. across the Livingston Avenue Area and Near East planning areas.
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Planning Area - 62 Livingston Avenue Area & 56 Near East.
The measure also sets aside $2,000 for prevailing wage services through the Department of Public Service.
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and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Service in an amount up to $2,000.00.
The work forms part of Blueprint Columbus, the city's green infrastructure initiative to improve regional water quality.
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This project is being completed as part of the City’s Blueprint Columbus program. This project will construct 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.
To address the runoff, the project will construct rain gardens and storm sewers in public rights-of-way and on city-owned properties to treat surface runoff before it discharges to waterways.
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This project will construct rain gardens and storm sewers within the Right-of-Way and on City owned properties on within the project area bounded Main Street and Livingston Avenue on the north and south, and between Rhoads Avenue and Miller Avenue on the east and west.
To address the runoff, the project will construct rain gardens and storm sewers in public rights-of-way and on city-owned properties to treat surface runoff before it discharges to waterways.
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This project will construct 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.
Neighborhood construction will be concentrated within a project area bounded by Main Street and Livingston Avenue on the north and south, and between Rhoads Avenue and Miller Avenue on the east and west.
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bounded Main Street and Livingston Avenue on the north and south, and between Rhoads Avenue and Miller Avenue on the east and west.
Along with storm sewers, the contract includes waterline relocation as well as pavement and sidewalk restoration.
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This work also includes the relocation of waterlines, pavement and sidewalk restoration, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract.
The legislation also dedicates $62,629.03 for Driving Park improvements through the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund.
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and the appropriation of $62,629.03, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from Columbus Rec & Park Project
The legislation also dedicates $62,629.03 for Driving Park improvements through the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund.
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Funds for the Driving Park Improvements portion of this contract are budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Once the city issues a formal notice to proceed, contract specifications require Danbert to complete the work within 630 days, with the contract sum incorporating a 10% construction contingency to cover approved changes.
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TIMELINE: Contract work is required to be completed in a manner acceptable to the City within 630 days of the date that a Notice To Proceed (NTP) is given by the City.
Once the city issues a formal notice to proceed, contract specifications require Danbert to complete the work within 630 days, with the contract sum incorporating a 10% construction contingency to cover approved changes.
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The bid amount and proposed award amount is $10,133,185.42, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work.
The city solicited competitive bids for the work from Aug. 11 through Sept. 16.
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An Invitation for Bids for Blueprint Kent/Fairwood Storm Sewers: Gault Street Waterline Improvements; and Driving Park Improvements projects were advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 8/11/2026 through 9/16/2026.
Officials opened four bids for the project on Sept. 16, determining Danbert to be the lowest and best responsive bid at $10,133,185.42.
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Four bids were received for the project and were opened on 9/16/2026.
Officials opened four bids for the project on Sept. 16, determining Danbert to be the lowest and best responsive bid at $10,133,185.42.
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The Danbert, Inc. bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $10,133,185.42.
Danbert submitted the lowest proposal among four bidding contractors, underbidding Ironsite, Inc. ($12,786,714.70), Complete General Construction ($14,587,193.47), and Driven Excavating LLC ($16,039,36087).
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Danbert, Inc. $10,133,185.42 CC004618 MAJ Ironsite, Inc. $12,786,714.70 CC005926 WBE Complete General Construction $14,587,193.47 CC006056 MAJ Driven Excavating LLC $16,039,36087 CC033459 MAJ
Danbert listed several subcontractors for the project, including Garica Surveyors and Hurt's Trucking with certified MBE status.
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Danbert, Inc., listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project: Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status Strawser Paving Columbus, Ohio MAJ Oberlanders Columbus, Ohio MAJ Decker Construction Company Columbus, Ohio MAJ Danbert Electrical Columbus, Ohio MAJ 4K Landscape Hilliard, Ohio MAJ Paul Peterson Company Columbus, Ohio MAJ Griffin Pavement Striping Columbus, Ohio MAJ Garica Surveyors Columbus, Ohio MBE Hurt’s Trucking Columbus, Ohio MBE
City filings list additional participating subcontractors as Strawser Paving, Oberlanders, Decker Construction Company, Danbert Electrical, 4K Landscape, Paul Peterson Company, and Griffin Pavement Striping.
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Danbert, Inc., listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project: Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status Strawser Paving Columbus, Ohio MAJ Oberlanders Columbus, Ohio MAJ Decker Construction Company Columbus, Ohio MAJ Danbert Electrical Columbus, Ohio MAJ 4K Landscape Hilliard, Ohio MAJ Paul Peterson Company Columbus, Ohio MAJ Griffin Pavement Striping Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Contract execution is explicitly contingent on loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority.
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SECTION 2. This ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loans for this project.
For the Kent/Fairwood storm sewer portion, council authorized an appropriation of $9,370,317.73 in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund under a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund application council authorized on Dec. 15, 2025.
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That the appropriation of $9,370,317.73, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111
For the Kent/Fairwood storm sewer portion, council authorized an appropriation of $9,370,317.73 in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund under a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund application council authorized on Dec. 15, 2025.
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Funding for the Blueprint Kent/Fairwood Storm Sewers portion of this contract will be obtained through a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 3119-2025 passed by Council on 12/15/25.
For the Gault Street waterline improvements, the ordinance authorizes an appropriation of $700,238.66 in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Loan Fund under an application council approved on March 2.
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the appropriation of $700,238.66, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Loan Fund, Fund 6014
For the Gault Street waterline improvements, the ordinance authorizes an appropriation of $700,238.66 in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Loan Fund under an application council approved on March 2.
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Funding for the Gault Street Waterline Improvements portion of this contract will be obtained through a loan from the OWDA Fresh Water Program (OWDA Direct). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 0341-2026 passed by Council on 3/2/26.
The storm sewer and waterline loans are slated for approval at the December board meeting.
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WHEREAS, both loans are expected to be approved at the December OWDA Board meeting;
https://blueprintneighborhoods.com/neighborhoods/miller-kelton/
Supporting evidence (1)
City records identify Miller Kelton, also known as Driving Park, as a priority area due to basement backups and sanitary sewer overflows discharging into Alum Creek near the Alum Creek Multi-Use Trail.
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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.
https://www.owda.org/board-meeting-calendar
Supporting evidence (2)
The agency's calendar lists the meeting for Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at 480 South High Street.
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Board Meeting Calendar
The agency's calendar lists the meeting for Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at 480 South High Street.
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Time: 10:30 a.m. Place: 480 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 January 29, 2026 February 26, 2026 March 26, 2026 April 30, 2026 May 28, 2026 June 25, 2026 July 30, 2026 August 27, 2026 September 24, 2026 October 29, 2026 December 10, 2026
Columbus Council Weighs $12.6M Blueprint Contract for Miller Kelton Pavers and Waterlines
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on council weighing a $12.6 million permeable paver contract on Oct. 5, considering $2.4 million in rain garden contracts on Oct. 23, and authorizing the rain garden construction award on Oct. 29.
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Columbus Council Weighs $12.6M Blueprint Contract for Miller Kelton Pavers and Waterlines
Columbus Council Weighs $2.4 Million in Rain Garden Contracts for Miller Kelton
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on council weighing a $12.6 million permeable paver contract on Oct. 5, considering $2.4 million in rain garden contracts on Oct. 23, and authorizing the rain garden construction award on Oct. 29.
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Columbus Council Weighs $2.4 Million in Rain Garden Contracts for Miller Kelton
Construction Contract Authorized for Miller Kelton Rain Garden Project
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on council weighing a $12.6 million permeable paver contract on Oct. 5, considering $2.4 million in rain garden contracts on Oct. 23, and authorizing the rain garden construction award on Oct. 29.
Read supporting passage
Construction Contract Authorized for Miller Kelton Rain Garden Project