Cambridge Boulevard Project
Cambridge Boulevard Improvement Project
Construction Timeline April – December 2026
Crews have Village permission to start work at 7 AM
If you have questions or would like to sign up for weekly email updates, email info@marblecliff.org
FAQ
The purpose of this project is to replace aging infrastructure, increase the safety of residents and enhance the visual appeal of the community.
- Infrastructure improvements
- Constructing a new water line, replacing storm sewers, and installing new pavement and curbing, all of which have been deferred due to economic conditions.
- Reducing pavement area for improved stormwater runoff management.
- Increased Safety
- Adding traffic-calming measures with “bump-outs,” and lengthening the south end of the island to narrow the street and shorten crosswalks.
- Adding lighting and ADA ramps.
- Installing additional crosswalks at the intersections, mid-block, and at each end of the island.
- Constructing crosswalks in complementary materials to increase visibility and slow traffic.
- Relocating the sidewalks to the curb and widening them to accommodate a variety of users, enhance safety when exiting vehicles on the passenger side, and increase root space for street trees.
- Enhanced Visual Appeal
- Removing the costly-to-maintain and invasive pear trees, which have reached their lifespan and are no longer available, and replacing them with shade trees and an understory of ornamental flowering trees.
- Refreshing the island landscape, adding low walls and walkways to create a park-like setting and improve access to the fountain.
The anticipated cost is $6.5M-$7M, including contingencies.
The Village has saved $2 million to put towards the cost of the project and has applied for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant of $500,000 and a 0% interest loan of $4.5 million.
The Village’s annual revenue, consisting primarily of local property and income taxes, and state and county funding, is approximately $2.3 million and annual expenditures are approximately $1.6 million.
The Village earns interest on its reserves, averaging $168,000 annually, and saving over $840,000 in interest over the last five years to help prepare for this project. The total balance of all Village accounts as of 8/31/2025 was $9.7 million.
Repayment of the $4.5 million interest-free loan would cost the Village $150,000 per year for 30 years.
Infrastructure, including demolition, storm water drainage, water line and roadway costs, make up approximately 76% of the project while aesthetic improvements, including landscaping and Cambridge island enhancements, represent about 24% of the project cost.
On average over the last five years, the Village spent $93,000 annually on landscaping and tree maintenance throughout its public spaces. While there will be more landscaping features as part of these improvements and initial costs may increase to ensure the establishment of new plant material, the Village will be reducing the annual costs associated with current pear tree maintenance and removal as well as the seasonal plantings on the island, which will help balance out the costs over time. The focus on proper street trees and perennials in beds will help reduce some of the maintenance costs currently incurred.
The project will start in May 2026.
Start to finish, this project is expected to take approximately 1.5 years.
The Village Engineer and his team will oversee the project.
While different parts of the street may have different requirements for completion, the intent is to tackle the whole street at once to make the overall duration of the project as short as possible.
The street may be closed to thru traffic for relatively long stretches but will be open to local traffic. The drive surface may not be asphalt at times and drivers should be prepared for reduced speeds. To help crews stay on schedule and for the safety of all, please avoid Cambridge Boulevard during construction.
- Contractors are to maintain access to all properties except for short pre-planned periods; these periods will be coordinated with the Village and homeowners.
The street will still feature parallel parking, with bump-outs flanking each driveway to define parking areas and prevent cars from blocking driveway entrances. These bump-outs also serve to narrow the street, reducing the amount of pavement, and calming traffic.
- There will be space for approximately 66 cars to park on the street
- Residents may see drawings of their specific property during business hours at Village Hall or visit the Village website for this information
No. The street improvement project will be funded by a combination of grants, loans and Village funds.
However, water service line upgrades may be required for residents who have lead or galvanized pipes from their home to the street, the cost of which would be the responsibility of the homeowner. The homeowner’s portion of the water line starts on the owner’s side of the curb box, which is where the shut-off valve is located, and leads to their home. Everything from the curb box and valve to the main water line in the street is considered part of the water tap system, and any necessary replacements in that section will be paid for by the Village.
- There is a federal mandate to proactively replace private and public lead and galvanized lines by 2037. The City of Columbus has instituted the Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP). This program is available to property owners to use to replace a lead or galvanized service line, either proactively or when it is leaking. For more information, please visit this link: https://www.columbus.gov/Services/Columbus-Water-Power/About-Columbus-Water-Power/The-Division-of-Water/Water-Facts/Water-Health/Lead-Service-Program-Information#section-1
Work for this project is in the public right-of-way. The current sidewalks will be replaced with grass as the new sidewalks are moved several feet toward the street. It will appear that yard size is increased, even though this new grassy area is in the public right-of-way. Residents are responsible for mowing/maintaining this area of the right-of-way, just as they currently maintain the public right-of-way in front of their homes.
The work for this project is in the Village right-of-way, however, some homeowners have landscaping and unique hardscape features that extend into this right-of-way. In some cases, flower beds and hardscape features along the sidewalk may be in the public right-of-way and may be displaced in the process. Most of these situations have been accommodated but there are a few areas where it was not possible to fully accommodate them due to grading constraints.
- The engineer can address specific questions you may have in regard to your property and residents may see drawings of their specific property during business hours at Village Hall or visit the Village website for this information
The cost of extending the existing drain pipes to meet the new curb alignment is included in this project and residents will not be expected to pay for it.
Yes. By building bump-outs and narrowing the street, driveways will be a few feet longer than they are now. The cost of replacing the driveway aprons is included in the cost of the project, and therefore residents will not be expected to pay for it.
No. Careful plant selection will ensure that clear sight lines are maintained at driveway entrances and intersections for the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike.
No trees on private property will be removed.
A link on the Village website will provide up-to-date information.
Residents may call Village Hall with concerns or questions at 614-486-6993 or email info@marblecliff.org. To sign up for weekly updates about this project, send your email to info@marblecliff.org or sign up for Marble Cliff notices through GH311 at this link https://www.grandviewheights.gov/412/Sign-UpGH311.
- Residents of Cambridge Boulevard will be given advance notice of specific work, especially when there will be limited access to their driveways.
