Columbus City Council last night approved spending 74 million dollars on the third and final phase of the renovation of the area around City Hall. The money will be used to construct a new office building at 111 North Front Street that will house the Public Service, Utilities and Development departments. The money will also fund construction of a new, 707 space parking garage at 141 North Front Street that will be used primarily by city workers. Many departments are currently in the Beacon Building, which will be sold and turned into affordable housing. Four companies bid on the project. The money was awarded without competitive bidding because new rules to protect subcontractors were confusing the bidders. Columbus finance director Paul Rakosky says bidders normally must disclose subcontractors, but they had trouble listing all the subcontractors, and the city's forms detailing the type of work needed were not complete.
Phase three of the project is expected to be completed in 2017. As part of the 150 million dollar project, the city has renovated City Hall, the Public Safety Building and police headquarters over the last five years.
