Grove City residents can expect to see some orange cones going up.
At the Feb. 19 Grove City Council meeting, council passed measures to fund road reconstruction projects on Old Stringtown and Grove City roads. The first ordinance passed was one to appropriate roughly $1.4 million from the general fund for the Old Stringtown Road project. The city obtained a grant and loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) totaling $968,000. The city will be responsible for approximately $613,000.
Grove City Service Director Darryl Hughes explained that the roadway will be lowered to accommodate curb and gutter drainage and the roadside ditches will be replaced with a closed storm sewer system. The road will be widened to allow three 12-foot wide lanes, incorporating a center turn lane. The project also includes the replacement of the existing eight-inch waterline, additional sidewalks and decorative streetlights.
One-way traffic will be maintained, as will access to all local businesses and properties. The one-way traffic will be in the eastbound lane (from Hoover toward Stringtown). This project is scheduled to begin in April. It should be complete in November.
Council also approved an ordinance to appropriate $115,000 from the general fund for the expense of the Grove City Road reconstruction project. This project also received OPWC funding, including a grant and a loan totaling $1.2 million. The $115,000 is for the design and engineering of the project, which should be complete in 2008.
The proposed improvements on Grove City Road include road reconstruction of about 1,650 linear feet west of Elm Street to the east of the railroad tracks, railroad crossing improvements and the lowering of the roadway to accommodate curb and gutters. The project would also add an enclosed storm sewer, decorative street lights and sidewalk and bike path improvements. Construction is scheduled for 2009.
City Administrator Sharon Reichard explained that the city applied for OPWC funding for improvements to Borror Road. Originally, the project was not on the list for funding for this year but due to the fall-through of a Columbus project, Borror Road is now on the list.
In addition to the road projects, council approved a measure to authorize the refinancing of existing bond notes for $9.5 million for the widening, reconstruction and improvements to State Route 665 between North Meadows Drive and Hoover Road. Grove City Mayor Ike Stage said because of the refinancing, the city was able to get a lower interest rate on the bond note.
In other news
•Council passed an ordinance to move nearly $60,000 from the general fund for the purchase of a new electrical division aerial truck. The aerial truck is used for the maintenance of city streetlights and traffic signals. The current truck is a 1993 model and has been taken out of service due to fire damage. Reichard said the city has been spending $1,100 per month renting a truck. The city should receive an insurance settlement of $10,000 for the damage to the 1993 model.
•Members of The Ohio Radio Control Society (TORCS) were at the meeting to present the city with a $500 check. Their annual model air show, which was held in Grove City this past summer, brought over 3,000 spectators to the city. The money will go towards the city’s parks and recreation department.
