(Columbus) The Columbus City Council discussed a request for proposals for a new public safety building at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting. Columbus is currently looking at options for new police and fire department facilities and possibly having emergency services share the same building at two different city owned properties. Alderman Ian Gray says he would like to see the city look beyond.
“The last time we discussed this, it was almost a full consensus that it wouldn’t be limited to city owned facilities, so that we could make sure that we were looking at the best area, not just the easiest spot to put it,” Gray says.
Interim City Administrator Matt Amundson says in his past work with other administrations, there has been problems identifying a site if not owned by the city.
“I think what would be better is to identify the characteristics you’d want in a perfect site,” says Amundson. “But that, you know, saying this plot of land creates a negotiation challenge for a municipality to move forward.”
Gray is afraid the city would be pigeonholing themselves to build a public safety building somewhere that may or may not be the best location.
“It’s not exploring whether or not it’s the best location, it’s exploring whether or not it’s suitable,” Gray says. “That’s a completely different thing than whether or not it’s the best location.”
The next important date in the RFP process will be February 19th, which is the deadline to submit clarifying questions.
