COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) – Columbus City Council on Monday unanimously voted to approve a record-breaking $2.9 billion Capital Improvement Budget.
Mayor Andrew ginther’s $2.9 billion 2025 Capital Budget proposal includes $14 million to start construction of a new Easton police sub-station, $15 million for fire apparatus, $5 million for safety enhancements along the four 2025 Clean adn Safe Corridors, $2 million for a new police records management system and $7.9 million to enhance the safety of high-crash intersections throughout the city.
Additional highlights of the 2025 Capital Budget include:
- $50 million to build new and affordable homes, preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and invest in permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
- $26 million for street resurfacing projects
- $19 million for enhancements and repairs at Recreation and Parks facilities
- $18 million for the replacement of the Marion Road outpost
- $10 million for the Capital Line cultural trail project downtown
- $7.9 million for sidewalk improvements
- $7.7 million for facilities managed by Columbus non-profits, including the Columbus Urban League, St. Stephen’s Community House, the King Arts Complex and others.
The 2025 capital Budget is established based on funds from bond sales, backed by the Income Tax Set Aside Fund (ITSA) and wiht debt issued by the Department of Public Utilities (or Enterprise Fund).
Columbus City Council did make some amendments to the budget:
- $450,000 to support design work for Freedom Park and Joan Park
- $175,000 to support design and restoration at Schiller Park Pond in German Village
- $100,000 to purchase a horse trailer that will house the horses belonging to the Columbus Police Department
- $146,000 for 1DivineLine2Health, a non-profit located on the west side. The group would use the money to construct a new complex that would support pregnant women in the Hilltop community
- $250,000 for a new sidewalk along Billingsly Road
- $1 million for Star House to make renovations at its Milo-Grogan youth center
- $600,000 in capital funding for Lower Lights Health that would support the expansion of its Northland Health Center
Columbus City Council Finance Chair Nick Bankston said council also would amend $9 million in the 2026 year of the Capital Improvements program to establish the city’s first-ever participatory budgeting initiative.
“Participatory budgeting is a democratic process where community members directly give input on how to spend a portion of the budget,” Bankston said. “Participatory budgeting is a way to empower residents and ensure that city investments reflect the priorities of the people who live here.”
7 · Compliance & Disclaimers
This article provides facts on a city budget and does not constitute financial,health,or legal advice.
8 · Call-to-Action
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