DLZ is pleased to support a major revitalization project in downtown Columbus by donating our time and expenses for design, coordination, funding and construction management associated with the Olentangy Water Trail at King Avenue and Olentangy River Road in Columbus, Ohio. At no cost to the City, DLZ provided the design for the pervious vehicular access and loading/unloading area, a water trail, a free standing wall, fence, and landscaping. Not only does this reinforce the strengths of our public works practice, it aligns with our commitment of being recognized as a firm who contributes to the people and communities we serve.
MAYOR MICHAEL B. COLEMAN JOINED BY CITY COUNCILMEMBER ZACH KLEIN AND PARTNERS IN THE OLENTANGY RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT
SOURCE: WWW.COLUMBUS.GOV
The project provides residents and visitors access for small watercraft to the Olentangy River. The water trail offers access from the vehicular loading area, across the wetlands that were built as part of the 5th Avenue dam removal project, to the Olentangy River, and also includes timber stairs with a canoe/kayak slide rail and large boulder stepping stones to bromide access across the wetlands.
DLZ provided all permitting through the City of Columbus, Ohio EPA, and the Army Corp of Engineer. DLZ and the City of Columbus are preparing an application to request funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to help assist in the construction cost of this project.
As an intricate part of the team, DLZ implemented design recommendations from the City of Columbus, the Ohio State University, ODNR, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW), and local profit and nonprofit watercraft recreation companies. A DLZ employee, along with representatives from FLOW, mentored a group of students from the Food, Agriculture, and Biological Engineering department at The Ohio State University as part of their senior capstone class. They developed a conceptual plan for a river access at this location. As a result, we are working with facility and students at The Ohio State University’s School of Engineering as part the study prepared by students on the type and use of the water trail and access point.
The City of Columbus partnered with The Ohio State University and Ohio EPA to complete the restoration of the Olentangy River shoreline along the Ohio State campus. The transformation has returned the river to a natural flow, improving the river’s habit and ecosystems. During the restoration, the river channel was reengineered, reshaped, and narrowed. Several river features were installed, including riffles, pools, and wetlands that are intended to slow and filter stormwater flows. To enhance this iconic space, native trees, shrubs, and grasses were planted during the construction and will continue to develop in the coming years.
This area will increasingly become an important focal point of university research and teaching opportunities as well as an area that can be enjoyed by the university and local communities. DLZ oversaw the construction of the removal of the 5th Avenue Dam, which was a major component of the restoration. The lowhead dam was originally constructed in 1935 to provide a source of cooling-water for the Ohio State power plant, but this water source is no longer used. Removal of the dam brings big changes to the appearance of the river, contributes to a healthier river environment, and creates a safer environment for small watercraft to maneuver between the north campus area and downtown Columbus.
Since the restoration, the city has seen a vast increase in small watercrafts (canoes and kayaks) along the river. The contractors for these restoration projects and several other projects have been using a city owned property located at the northeast intersection of King Avenue and Olentangy River Road as a lay down area. The City’s Department of Recreation and Parks has decided to invest in this highly visible area around the Ohio State University as a water trail and access point for kayaks and canoes to paddle along the Olentangy River. This project will not only revitalize a major thoroughfare to and from the Ohio State University, it will provide the community a loading area for the watercrafts and a water trail to provide a stepping stones access across the wetlands.
“Columbus’ Downtown Strategic Plan speaks to the need to clean our rivers, repair environmental damage and improve local water ways to open opportunities for recreation. Removing this low-head dam brings us one step closer to developing the Scioto-Olentangy greenway corridor, creating a navigable waterway, and adding acres of green space that will be enjoyed by Columbus residents and visitors for decades to come.”
-Andrew Ginther, Columbus City Council President