Construction of overlook along river is scheduled

8/21/2003

Construction of an overlook along the river, complete with three lighted flags, benches, and bollards with connecting chains, will get under way before the end of the year, Maumee city officials said.

City Council agreed this week to advertise for bids for the Maumee River Overlook project and complete work on the Uptown streetscape project along Conant Street. The estimated cost is $623,000.

Work is to get under way shortly, but some likely will need to be finished next spring, said Kirk Kern, commissioner of community development. He and city Administrator John Jezak gave an overview of the projects to the council on Monday.

The overlook, with a decorative design on a concrete pad, would be on the east side of Conantnear the river. It would be triangular-shaped, about 40 by 60 feet, Mr. Kern said.

On the west side of Conant near Fort Meigs Memorial Bridge, the city will install bollards with connecting chains to provide a safety feature.

A retaining wall will be replaced with a wall with a brick finish. Other details will give the area a more upscale look, officials said.

Plans call for the city to fix heaving and settling problems associated with the bluestone in the Uptown, officials said, noting that improvements and upgrades will provide a safer, better looking area easier and less costly to keep up.

Some overhead wiring will be moved underground, Mr. Kern said, for a cleaner look, and street lights and stamped concrete will be installed to complete the Uptown streetscape along Conant.

In other action Monday, council authorized the mayor and the clerk to enter into an agreement with the Lathrop Company for participation in the Job Creation and Retention Grant Program. The company proposes to keep operations at 460 W. Dussel Drive in Arrowhead Park, and it is anticipated that after a year of operation, itwill retain 66 employees with an annual payroll of about $4.5 million.

A grant in the amount of up to $180,000 payable over the next nine years was awarded the firm.