Storm sewer project to aid in flood relief in northeast

City council agreed to borrow 3.8 million to build a wellness center.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Residents of a northeast side neighborhood can expect to see relief from flooding by next summer.
City council Wednesday authorized the service director to advertise for bids for construction of the Stevens Park Watershed Storm Sewer Project.
Mark Hess, city projects coordinator, said the 420,000 project calls for storm sewer replacement on Sophia and Spruce courts and sections of Bonnie Brae, North Rhodes and Roosevelt avenues.
Of the total project cost, 321,455 is being paid through state Issue II money with the balance, or 98,545, paid by the city.
Hess said bids should be opened March 19 with construction to begin in May and completed by August.
The neighborhood was identified in a 2003 study to determine which areas flooded during heavy storms, Hess said.
Wellness center
In other business, council approved the borrowing of 3.8 million through the sale of notes to fund construction of the Niles Wellness Center.
Building of the center at Waddell Park was proposed in August 2006 by Mayor Ralph A. Infante.
The self-sustaining center is designed to provide athletic activities for people of all ages and would be rented for athletic league competition, banquets and receptions.
Council also agreed to adopt the newly approved Residential Code of Ohio for residential construction.
Tony Vigorito, city zoning inspector, said the code also allows the city to enforce regulations particular to Niles.
For example, the city requires that underground electrical wiring be encased in conduit. This will still apply in the city, though it's not addressed in the state code.
yovich@vindy.com