Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of a rendering by Force Construction of their design for the new Columbus Animal Care Services building during a capital campaign kick off event to raise money for the new building at Bespoke Events and Experiences in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
City officials on Tuesday hired a local firm to do initial design services on a new facility for Columbus Animal Care Services ahead of the project going to bid in a couple of months.
Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety members approved a service agreement with Force Design where the firm will get 30% of the design done to serve as a basis for a request for pre-qualification (RFPQ) document that will go out to potential developers on Feb. 2.
The city agreed to pay Force Design $37,400 for work on the project, which the board of works hired Doug Sunkel to project manage two weeks ago.
The project will use the build-operate-transfer (BOT) procurement agreement as is being used for the new department of public works building.
Force Design will provide an updated layout design for the facility, coordinate with the city for relocation of an existing sewer line that’s in conflict with the site and put together a bridging document package including, among other items, a floor plan, architectural site plan and schematic mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans.
The developer is expected to be selected on March 3, with construction starting on April 1. The new facility is slated to be substantially complete by April 2027, according to city documents.
The city is spending $5 million for the new shelter, which is expected to cost $8 million. Mark and Wendy Elwood have provided a $1 million contribution and city officials are seeking a $1 million community match to that. According to a graphic showing progress of the campaign on its website, that match is $670,000 of the way there.
Columbus Animal Care Services’ current facility, built in 1987, is 4,900-square-foot and was intended to house 22 dogs and 40 cats.
The facility routinely averages more than double that capacity and consistently has problematic and costly issues to maintain, according to city officials. It was supposed to be expanded upon in 1997, but that never came to fruition.
Nicohl Birdwell Goodin, director of Columbus Animal Care services, gave a presentation to city council members this year, showing the dire conditions animals in the facility currently face, with faulty drains, inadequate ventilation and failing equipment.
The planned facility, to be built across the street from the current facility at 2730 Arnold St., will be able to accommodate 66 dogs and 86 cats. It will also provide appropriate housing and ventilation to meet today’s current standards.
The planned facility will house an inviting reception area, a larger medical intake area, meet and greet rooms for all species, adequate office space for employees and inviting volunteer spaces.
