Spray-painted sign shows frustration over unfinished Columbus sidewalk construction

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A frustrated motorist expressed their displeasure with an ongoing sidewalk project by spray-painting a sign with harsh words for the people behind the construction.

A photo of the placard taken on Sinclair Road appeared on social media with the caption “Sign in the construction zone on my way to work.” The picture inspired several commenters to vent their irritation with the sidewalk-building process along the street.

“Haha I know the feeling. It’s real,” wrote one person.

Another made a tongue-in-cheek remark referencing the recent drought, “I’m sure it’s all the rain that’s causing the delays ????.”

“I sense…..frustration….,” penned a netizen, picking up on the vibe of other commenters.

Driver Marnie Brannon took the photo, explaining in a message to NBC4 that the area has “been a traffic nightmare there, while they install sidewalks because of a new apartment block on Sinclair.”

The effort to build sidewalks on both sides of Sinclair Road from Morse Road to Strimple Avenue began with an affordable apartment housing project. The Sinclair Family Apartments at 5055 Sinclair Road were built on the former site of Alrosa Villa, a music club that occupied the spot for decades.

According to documents from the city clerk, Columbus City Council authorized the money for the sidewalks project in February. Council approved the Department of Public Service to enter into a contract with Shelly & Sands, Inc. with an “expenditure of up to $4,208,039.72 from the Morse Road TIF Fund and the Crosswoods TIF Fund for the project.”

An estimated schedule for the sidewalk project posted online by the Department of Public Service listed the construction phase as lasting between the spring of 2024 and the summer of 2025. The construction phase dates were qualified with two provisions, including “funding approval by City Council,” which was authorized in February, and “weather conditions.”