Columbus is modifying its State Street project to link an urban trail from Mill Race Park along Fifth Street all the way to the city’s east side.
The new path for the project will direct walkers and bicyclists from the park along an urban trail on Fifth Street past some of the city’s most well-known architectural landmarks, including First Christian Church and the Bartholomew County library.
The trail will then head south along California Street to Third Street, where it intersects with State Street. From there, the redevelopment corridor continues east along State Street to near Mapleton Street on the east side.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday approved the changes, along with modifying United Engineer’s contract for the State Street project to accommodate the route and project changes.
The changes will bring the total cost of the project from the original $717,000 contract with United to about $1.61 million when the Fifth Street portion is added to the project.
The commission also approved a resolution to hire Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Indianapolis, to be the lead design firm for the Fifth Street portion of the project, agreeing to pay them $49,900 for the preliminary and final concept design.
The company designed the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and the Monon Rail-Trail in Carmel and Westfield, and has worked with United on projects before, including the Cultural Trail, city officials said.
For more on this story, see an upcoming edition of The Republic.
