Board Seeks More Detail on Franklin Park Conservatory Agreement

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners did not adopt a proposed update to the agreement that governs Franklin Park Conservatory on October 6, after two commissioners said they needed more information before approving it. 

Resolution 0662-26 would have approved a second amended and restated Joint Recreation District agreement between the county and the City of Columbus. The joint recreation district is the public body that operates the conservatory. 

Eli Redfern, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Civil Division of Prosecutor Shayla Favor's office, presented the agreement. He said it would extend the district's term from 2057 to 2076 and confirm that the district board has grown from 18 seats under the 2007 agreement to 25. The county would continue to appoint six members. The city's annual financial commitment to the district would drop from $500,000 to $250,000, and the agreement would confirm certain real estate transfers from the city to the district. 

Redfern said the changes are tied to the district's master plan for capital improvements and to about $4.72 million in state historic preservation tax credits the district was awarded this past summer. 

He also addressed fencing questions raised at the Board's briefing the week before. An eight-acre section of the park has been fenced since 2018, he said, and Franklin County and Columbus residents can visit during a free community day once a month. The district has said it does not plan to expand the paid area beyond its current 13 acres. 

Commissioner Erica C. Crawley asked why the board needed to grow to 25 members. Redfern said he would send that answer to the commissioners separately. 

"I'd love to know why you want to expand to 25 people," said Board President John O'Grady, who noted he was out of town during last week's briefing. 

Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce voted no. "I think that these type of things should be negotiated prior to them coming up," he said, adding that fencing concerns raised to him in the community had not been addressed. 

O'Grady also voted no, and Crawley voted yes, so the resolution was not adopted. Jeanine Hummer, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, offered to return with more information.