$1M project is outlined for Waterville

10/11/2001

In the coming months, the western portion of Waterville will be transformed, officials were told during a council meeting Monday night.

A new stop light will be installed; roadways will be upgraded; sidewalks will be added, and a commercial development constructed in what has been dubbed “West Waterville.”

The west village project was outlined during a presentation by Thomas Mattis, Waterville administrator, on the proposed 2002 five-year capital program. The program includes nearly $5 million in expenditures. Of that, more than $1 million is earmarked for the west village project.

Two road projects will change significantly the west village area, officials said.

State Rt. 64 is to be repaved throughout the village. This is an Issue II project in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Plans include curb installation from Cedar Lane to Waterville-Monclova Road and a new sidewalk on the south side of Route 64.

In addition, Waterville-Monclova Road from Route 64 to Farnsworth Road is to be reconstructed completely, with new curbs and gutters installed. New sidewalks will be built on the east side of Waterville-Monclova.

New street lights will be added along Waterville-Monclova, Mr. Mattis said, and he announced that the village has received final approval for the installation of a traffic light at Route 64 and Waterville-Monclova.

Crosswalks and pedestrian signals will be added at the intersection to promote safety in the area.

A commercial development at Route 64 and Waterville-Monclova will make a substantial change in the west village too, Mr. Mattis said.

Council hasn't taken action to approve a zoning change for the proposed development, but based on comments from officials Monday night, it appears likely the project will proceed as planned.

A public hearing on a requested zoning change for the parcel is slated for Oct. 22 during the council session.

Preliminary plans for the development of a neighborhood center, housing for senior citizens, and a Fifth Third Bank location were presented to Waterville council last month.

Mr. Mattis told council that the new traffic light will not encourage growth in west Waterville, but is being added to respond to the traffic volume.

In response to the presentation on the west-village project, Councilman Tim Guzman again called for council action to establish green space there.

He wants council to add the green space project to the five-year capital plan.

West Waterville is one of the fastest growing areas in the community and there will be significant changes in the next 18 months, Mr. Guzman said.

A small green space, similar to Stitt Park, is needed, he said. The green space perhaps could be included in the commercial development, setting up a “nice buffer zone” between the businesses and residential homes, he said.

A resolution regarding the green space for west Waterville is to be drawn up and presented to council at a later date.

The five-year capital program is scheduled for adoption during council's Oct. 22 meeting.

In response to questions from Mayor David Myerholtz, Mr. Mattis told council that consideration is being given to relocating the police department open up space at the municipal building for administrative offices to expand.

Both the administrative offices and the police department are squeezed for space, Mr. Mattis said.

The proposed five-year capital program includes $400,000 for facility expansion in 2003, but no decisions have been made on what improvements will take place.