By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
The city of Canal Winchester’s annual review and update of its Capital Improvements Plan is both a planning document and a wish list for the future.
“We do this every year,” said Public Service Director Matt Peoples. “Other than next year, these projects are conceptual. This is a very fluid document, after this year.”
On the list for 2019 and extending into 2020 at a total projected cost of $7 million—and funded through multiple sources, including city money, grants and private donations—is the development of McGill Park on the city’s eastern border.
Three quarter-million dollar projects, also on the 2019 CIP, include Waterloo rehabilitation and sewer improvements; Westchester section work and Westchester Park improvements. A $750,000 replacement of the Groveport/Dye/Manor waterline is funded through local, Ohio Public Works Commission, EPA and TIF money.
Other 2019 projects include pavement and sidewalk repair, community pool painting, Canal and Prentiss Drive rehabilitations, Ashbrook Mains Phase 2, the third phase of work on Ashbrook cul-de-sacs and $450,000 in AMI metering.
“It’s stuff we’ve budgeted for this year,” said Peoples regarding items listed for 2019. “Next year, only things on the plan are what’s concrete.”
The five-year “wish list” includes many multi-million dollar projects extending out as far as 2023, such as a $15.5 million extension of Winchester Boulevard, a $1 million sound wall along High Street, a $6 million municipal building construction project, $2 million in improvements to Groveport Road, and a $2.6 million roundabout at Hill Road and Kings Crossing.
However, the costliest project—the last item on the 72-item list—is a $20 million overpass at High Street. Peoples said the overpass is the oldest project continually carried over on the CIP at two decades.
“Residents really need to look at this spreadsheet,” said Councilwoman Jill Amos after reviewing the three-page document during a Nov. 19 council meeting.
