Walking to school will get safer this year for children in three Columbus neighborhoods thanks to Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s Operation Safewalks. Working with City Councilmember Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, the Mayor is advancing legislation to invest $1 million to build 1.25 miles of new sidewalks in 2008 on the Hilltop, in Linden and on the Far East Side. Council is expected to vote on February 25.
“Our children are our most important resource, and too many are threatened by speeding cars as they walk to parks and schools along streets with no sidewalks,” Mayor Coleman said. “We made a promise to start changing that, and I’m pleased to see this legislation move forward.”
The city plans to contract with Nickolas Savko and Sons, Inc. to build the sidewalk near Leawood Elementary School, North Linden Elementary School, Clinton Middle School, Hilltonia Middle School and Yorktown Middle School.
“Safe, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks that can also accommodate people with disabilities is a must, no matter where you are in the City of Columbus,” said Council member O’Shaughnessy, who chairs the Public Service and Transportation Committee.
Sidewalks and ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps will be constructed on the following streets:
•Briarsford Road, between Livingston Avenue and Saranac Drive
•Cooke Road, between Karl Road and Dresden Street
•Dresden Street, between Coronet Drive and Radnor Avenue
•Hansen Avenue, complete missing links west of Dresden Street
•Highland Avenue, between Mound Street and Sullivant Avenue
•Vineshire Drive, south of Ellery Drive
•Wheatland Avevue, between Mound Street and Sullivant Avenue
Since 2000, the city has spent more than $4 million to build 15 miles of sidewalks, serving 31 schools in Columbus. The locations were chosen by representatives from Columbus City School, the Department of Public Service and the Mayor’s Office.
