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Still being worked on is a resolution to form a joint economic development zone.
Still being worked on is a resolution to form a joint economic development zone.
STRUTHERS — A new bridge spanning the Mahoning River, a sanitary sewer rehabilitation project and replacement of the Fifth Street culvert are projects submitted by the city for funding through the Ohio Public Works Commission.
The OPWC provides money for infrastructure projects through the sale of state bonds. The Struthers projects are among 81 seeking funding in this area, said Mayor Terry Stocker at Wednesday’s city council meeting.
In order of priority, these are the Struthers projects:
The Mahoning River of Opportunity Lower Connector Bridge Project: The 185-by-36-foot bridge would span the Mahoning River between Steelworkers Bridge, known as the Walton Avenue Bridge, and the Bridge Street Bridge. The total cost is $2,593,393, of which the local share is $360,000.
The Southeast Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project: The project includes expanding and repairing 2,400 feet of sanitary sewer lines along Parkcliff Avenue, Haywood Avenue, Oakland Boulevard, Schenley Avenue, Clingan and Wetmore Avenue. The city is seeking a $260,544 grant to go with its $117,056 share of the project cost.
The Fifth Street Culvert Project: The culvert, located between Spring and Creed Street, is deteriorating and the city has imposed on it a 10-ton weight limit. Struthers is seeking a $112,500 loan from OPWC for the project. An emergency grant request was rejected. In a related economic development matter, Stocker said the city board of control Wednesday awarded a $397,500 contract to Butch and McCree Paving of Hillsville for the upgrade of Bob Cene Way. The road runs north off Bridge Street and will connect with the lower connector bridge when it is built.
Stocker said the Bob Cene Way project, which is slated to get under way in two or three weeks, is funded with an OPWC grant of $333,900 and $63,600 in city funds.
Council returned to committee a resolution to cooperate with Youngstown’s intent to conduct a feasibility study about the establishment of a joint economic development zone among Youngstown, Struthers and Campbell.
Councilman-at-Large Daniel Yemma, who had favored passing the resolution last spring when it was introduced before council’s summer break, said sending it to committee “essentially killed the measure.”
Other council members, however, disagreed with Yemma.
Second Ward Councilman Robert Stouffer said he believes Struthers is the “heart of the project,” and Youngstown will “come to us” when the time comes to move the effort forward.
alcorn@vindy.com