Columbia Parkway Streetscape Improvements 

History

The Columbia Parkway Streetscape Improvements were envisioned in 1996 as part of the Columbia Tusculum Urban Design Plan.  The first major work on the project, however, stated in June 2003 with a traffic impact study that showed the need for signalization of the Hoge Ave / Columbia Parkway intersection.  Prus Construction was awarded the contract in September 2005 to perform the desired upgrades to the parkway.

Current Details

The current cost of the project is $1.25 Million.  30% of this amount is being paid by the City of Cincinnati (approved in June 2003 funding package for Columbia Square) with the remainder paid by the State of Ohio Public Works Commission Grant (approved November 2003). 

Work on the project began October 31.  Several major obstacles have been removed, including a Lamar Billboard purchased by the city through "quick take" and demolished January 25th and removal of a gas station basement structure.  The south side of the street is currently complete and the utiliyt poles should be removed any day.  Once these are removed, the south lanes will be opened to allow for work on the north side of the street.  New boulevard lights on the south side of the street should also be turned on shortly in order to provide adequate street lighting.  The total project should take 150 days.

Property owners along the parkway have been incredibly receptive to the improvements.  They have contributed by granting sidewalk easements, accepting lighting operation and maintenance assesments of $1.95 per front foot annually, and Al Neyer Inc. has paid $129,000 to relocate the utility poles away from the Columbia Square frontage.

Once the project is complete, the signal at Hoge will be activated.  Left turns will also be allowed onto Stanley Avenue from Columbia Parkway.  Overall, the stage will be set for major private improvements in the Parkway neighborhood district.

Location

The Columbia Parkware Streetscape Improvements are happening on Columbia Parkway primarily between Delta Avenue and Stanley Avenue.