COLUMBUS – Body cameras for police officers and a new East Side fire station are reportedly two items in a $1 billion capital budget proposed Monday by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and members of City Council.
The Capital Improvements Budget includes $866 million in new funding of safety, service and parks, Ginther’s office said.
The plan sets aside $1.4 million to keep a campaign promise to provide body-cameras for police officers, according to WBNS 10-TV. It also includes $8.5 million for a new fire station on Waggoner Road, an area of town where heavy traffic and a growing population had slowed response times, according to the station’s report.
The spending blueprint also targets two neighborhoods Ginther promised to pay closer attention to: $34 million and $27 million have been set aside for Linden and the Hilltop, respectively, including $7.3 million for Hilltop sidewalk and street repairs and $6 million for improvements in the South Linden area.
Other highlights of the Capital Improvements Budget:
$612 million for Public Utilities including sanitary, electric, storm and water projects.
$58 million in Public Service, including extensive resurfacing, pedestrian safety improvements, continued improvements to Joyce Avenue and Urban Infrastructure Recovery Improvements.
More than $22 million for Public Safety, including funds for police and fire station renovations
$22 million for Recreation and Parks facility renovations, bikeways and greenways improvements.
$7.2 million for housing preservation, Public Private Partnership/Streetscape (3P) and public art.
$700,000 for homeless shelter renovations and an additional $2 million for Faith Mission for the development of a new shelter.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the budget May 2.