To suggest the city of Columbus’ $6.2 million drainage project has slowed to a halt suggests the project has started in the first place. For all practical purposes, the city is no closer to making the project a reality than when it was conceived. The work hasn’t even been bid.
The city contracted with Waggoner Engineering last spring to manage the watershed project. In August, the city identified eight separate sites for drainage work, earmarking $6 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds and state match, as well as almost $200,000 in other federal funds to complete it.
During a work session Thursday the mayor and city council members pressed Waggoner representatives on the lack of any real progress, which turned out to be a finger-pointing session.
The hold-up is getting permission to access 84 parcels to perform the drainage work on the eight sites. According to the project contract, the city is responsible for securing the needed easements, but Waggoner has neither pushed the city to make any progress on that or put the actual work out to bid. In the meantime, Waggoner is poised to pocket $925,000 from the project even if it is never completed.
It’s past time to get this ball rolling.
ARPA funds must be spent or forfeited by Sept. 26, 2026.
At this point, the goal should be to make sure the easements are attained as quickly as possible. In the meantime, there is nothing to prevent Waggoner soliciting bids for the work, contingent upon having those easements before the work is started.
There was some sentiment for the city hiring an individual and training them to obtain the easements. The city could also get the easements through eminent domain.
Time is of the essence, though.
The far better solution, we believe, is contracting this duty to city engineer Kevin Stafford of Neel-Schaffer, which has proven to be a reliable partner for the city for countless projects over many years. There is little time to reinvent the wheel by turning over this duty to someone unfamiliar with the process. Securing easements is something that Stafford, as the city’s longtime engineer has done routinely over the years. That kind of track record should put the city at ease, knowing that this road-block is better addressed.
Getting the contracts bid and easements acquired can be done simultaneously, and those efforts should start immediately.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
