Public Notice: City Council Meetings and Downtown Road Closure Schedule for Feb. 23

Official City Council Legislative Sessions

The City of Columbus has officially scheduled two primary legislative sessions for Monday, February 23, 2026. Residents and interested parties are notified that the Columbus City Council will hold both its regular Council Meeting and a specialized Council Zoning Meeting. These sessions serve as the primary forum for municipal governance, where local ordinances and land-use applications are reviewed and put to a vote.

• Regular Council Meeting: Focuses on citywide policy, including the authorization of public utility contracts and the ongoing implementation of the 'Yes In God’s Backyard' (YIGBY) Pilot Program, which aims to reduce barriers to affordable housing development on land owned by non-profit and faith-based organizations.
• Council Zoning Meeting: Dedicated to site-specific rezonings and variance requests essential for the city's urban expansion and neighborhood development goals.

To request language translation services or an interpreter for these meetings, citizens are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's office at least five days in advance.

Traffic and Infrastructure Advisories

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued critical traffic notices for the downtown Columbus corridor, effective Monday, February 23, 2026. These impacts are part of the ongoing I-70/I-71 'Downtown Ramp Up' reconstruction project designed to improve regional travel and safety.

• I-71 Northbound Ramp Closure: The ramp from I-71 northbound to I-70 westbound will be closed overnight from 9:00 p.m. on February 23 until 5:00 a.m. the following morning. Commuters should follow posted detours.
• SR 315 Southbound Restrictions: SR 315 southbound under I-70 will undergo an overnight closure during the same 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. window. The SR 315 southbound ramp to I-70 westbound is expected to remain open, but through-traffic will be diverted.
• Local Street Restrictions: Front Street over I-70 and Fulton Street (between Front and High Streets) will continue to experience daily lane restrictions from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through February 26.

Public Health and Safety Reminders

Following the recent session of the Columbus Board of Health, officials are maintaining focus on the 2026 Health Special Revenue Fund. While no emergency advisories are currently active, the health department continues to prioritize clinical vaccination updates and the maintenance of security services at WIC clinics across the city. Additionally, the Department of Public Utilities reminds residents of the legal requirement to contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) prior to any excavation work to protect underground infrastructure and ensure neighborhood safety.