Republic file photo Columbus City Hall.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday voted to approve a resolution to fund design work and a cost estimate for infrastructure improvements along Deaver Road.
The changes come after the plan commission last Wednesday voted to give a favorable recommendation to annex and rezone property where Toyota Material Handling plans to build a 260,000 square foot manufacturing facility directly north of their current facility. The property is on the east side of Interstate 65 and County Road 225W, between Deaver Road and County Road 300S.
The improvements are in anticipation of the additional traffic that will be generated from the expansion, said Director of Redevelopment Heather Pope.
The driveway for workers entering Toyota’s parking lot is off of 225W and the truck entrance is off of Deaver Road, Toyota Material Handling Sr. Vice-President Tony Miller said.
The infrastructure commitments a part of the rezoning include:
- 225W will be widened into two 12-foot lanes
- The addition of a 10-foot side path on 225W
- Realignment of the 225W intersection with Deaver Road to the east towards Toyota’s existing driveway
- Improving intersection of County Road 175W and Deaver Road
City Engineer Andrew Beckort said they are also looking at realigning County Road 175W into County Road 150.
“It’s kind of a part of the north-south connector that’s being proposed in that area,” Beckort said.
The intersection of 175W and County Road 450 S may also see some changes.
“That intersection is getting quite busy and needs some improvement,” Beckort said.
The resolution allows the city engineering department to put out a request for proposal for design services, get construction drawings and cost estimates not exceeding $50,000.
Beckort said he’ll have to come before the redevelopment commission later to receive funds for construction.
