Two city garages in downtown Columbus are set to receive electric vehicle-charging stations by the end of the year.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday approved the purchase of two charging stations for up to $10,673.
The stations, to be placed inside the Jackson Street and Second Street parking garages, will allow a total of four vehicles to be charged when they are parked, said Gary Thompson of REI, which manages the city’s parking garages.
Thompson said the city has had requests for charging stations, which are popular in Indianapolis parking garages. The cost of the charging stations will be paid through funds in the city’s garage operations accounts.
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Having the electric charging stations may draw more people to shop in downtown Columbus, Thompson said.
More stations could be added later if there’s a demand for them, said Heather Pope, city redevelopment director.
Thompson said he expects the first two charging stations to be in place within the next 60 days.
New member
Kenny Whipker participated in his first meeting on the redevelopment commission, filling a vacancy caused by the resignation last month of commission member George Dutro.
Whipker, a former Columbus City Council member and two-term Bartholomew County sheriff, was appointed by Mayor Jim Lienhoop to serve out the remainder of Dutro’s term, which expires at the end of December.
Dutro had been on the commission since September 2016, when he was appointed to serve out the remainder of commission member Umar Farooq’s term, Pope said. Dutro was reappointed for 2017 and 2018.
“It’s time to let someone else have a turn,” Dutro said.
Whipker was appointed to the city council in October 2013 to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Aaron Hankins, and served through 2015, when he was defeated in the general election. Whipker served as sheriff from 1999 to 2006.
