Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced $15 million in proposed funding to support construction of a new Sullivant Avenue police substation in the Hilltop and Real-Time Crime Center in Linden. Funding will be utilized to complete design services for both facilities in addition to land acquisition for the substation and site assessment for the crime center.
“Residents in the Hilltop and Linden have been absolutely vital in providing feedback and direction for growth and development in their neighborhoods and the broader Columbus community,” said Ginther. “The investments we’re sharing are the latest in a long series of initiatives to promote a safer, more resilient city, and we look forward to working collaboratively with all our partners to bring these plans to fruition.”
The city is currently in negotiations with the state of Ohio to purchase land along Sullivant Avenue between Columbian and Townsend avenues for the substation, the agreement for which must be approved by Columbus City Council and the Ohio General Assembly. In addition to housing police officers, safety services and equipment, the substation will feature community meeting spaces and recreational amenities to help strengthen community-police relations.
The Real-Time Crime Center will be located on the city-owned property at 750 Piedmont Road and support the relocation of 9-1-1 dispatch services, including the city’s Alternative Response Program, as well as safety and technical staff to analyze incoming data and relay critical information to officers in the field.
Of the $15 million proposed, $12 million will be part of the forthcoming 2021 Capital Improvement Budget. Approximately $5 million is slated for the substation while $7 million is for the crime center. Another $3 million in carryover funding will also be devoted to the crime center.
