KICKER
Maumee expects state grant’s arrival soon
Deck goes in this space herey and herey
3/12/2013Maumee officials expect to receive a state grant this week for a project to improve parking at the Wolcott House and make the building more accessible to disabled people in time for a big birthday party this summer: the city’s.
The 175th anniversary of Maumee’s incorporation is today, but city administrator John Jezak said the official celebration is planned for the third week of August.
The $150,000 Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission grant, for which Mr. Jezak said paperwork is expected to be returned to the city this week, will pay most of the cost to repave the Wolcott House Museum Complex parking lot, including parts of it that are crushed stone, doubling the paved surface.
President Obama’s July 5 campaign stop at the Wolcott House showed how important the upgrade will be, Mr. Jezak said, because disabled and elderly people had difficulty with the gravel lot.
“It goes to making our history more accessible. ... These improvements will make it easier for folks to get around,” he said, adding that better access will make the complex more marketable for special events, such as weddings at the Old Monclova Church.
The city will contribute a $15,000 match for the project, for which council approved an $8,500 design contract last week. A construction contract likely will be awarded in May or June, Mr. Jezak said.
Officials first discussed the upgrade six or seven years ago, he said, but the project was put aside when the economic recession — which included Ford Motor Co.’s October, 2007, shutdown of its local automotive stamping plant — set in, he said.