By Paula Scott

On Saturday, April 15 members of the Ada community participated in one of several meetings developing an application for $750,000 in Neighborhood Revitalization grant funds to advance the health, safety and general welfare of residents.

A public meeting was held at The Depot to discuss preliminary cost estimates for street, fire protection, sidewalk and drainage improvements. Fire hydrant conditions and sidewalk concerns dominated the discussion.

The meeting ended with “homework” for village residents, who can help develop the “why Ada?” portion of the application, submit community project commitment forms for the 2-year grant period of September 1, 2023-August 31, 2025, and provide locations of sidewalks needing repair.

FIRE HYDRANTS
Village Administrator Jamie Hall explained that there are 16 inoperable fire hydrants among 254 in the village. Another 20 are in sub-par condition, having missing parts. The Village has budgeted replacement of five hydrants per year and can’t keep up with the number that fail. 

It is proposed that 16 fire hydrants be part of the grant application at an estimated cost of $180,850.

Senior planner Whitaker Wright noted that fire prevention is perhaps the highest priority for application reviewers.

SIDEWALKS
Village sidewalk conditions and gaps have been part of the ongoing grant application discussion. Hall noted feedback from residents who did not want sidewalks installed on North St. near the Ada Schools because safer routes exist within the neighborhood.

Regarding locations with deteriorating or uneven sidewalks, Hall said that grant-funded sidewalk replacement is very expensive: as much as $160-$120 per linear foot depending on the presence of trees. Grant funded projects must pay prevailing wages (employees must be paid at least the total hourly rate plus fringe benefits).

Moreover, sidewalk replacement and maintenance is the responsibility of property owners, not the Village. The Village does have a 50-50 cost sharing program for sidewalk replacement, but does not have a policy of requiring the work. Some localities will replace sidewalks for non-compliant property owners and then assess the costs.

Hall introduced an alternative method for improving uneven sidewalks: a grinding technique that removes trip and stroller hazards. The Village does not have this equipment but neighboring villages have reported good results.

Hall requested that residents email him at [email protected] with sidewalk locations that they would like to see replaced or improved. He would like to identify the five worst blocks within the areas eligible for grant funding.

ATTENDANCE
The meeting was led by Whitaker Wright, a senior planner with CDC of Ohio, Inc., and was attended by five residents in addition to Village Administrator Jamie Hall and four council members.

Wright provided preliminary costing information for:

• Street improvements on portions of Montford St. and battery backup for Main St. traffic lights estimated to cost $282.6K
   
• Replacement of 16 inoperable fire hydrants (of a total 254) estimated to cost $180.8K
   
• Sidewalk installation on W. North and Merri Monte Ln. estimated to cost $394.4K
   
• Drainage work on S. Gilbert St. estimated to cost $333.7K

A water meter replacement project was set aside as being eligible for another type of grant.