North Bend approves asphalt contract for Harrison Riverfront Park; council discusses funding timing and related improvements

The Village of North Bend council on Sept. 29 approved an emergency-resolution contract authorizing asphalt installation and resurfacing for the William Henry Harrison Riverfront Park and heard a multi‑point update on park construction, project closeout and funding.

Council adopted Resolution 2025-18 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with JK Muir Paving for asphalt work at the riverfront park and declared the matter an emergency so work can begin promptly. The council record shows the motion passed by voice vote.

Project status and financing: a project manager reported the stream restoration and landscaping work are nearly complete and said a project closeout is targeted for Dec. 1. “Project closeout, I expect to be done by December 1,” the project manager said. He told council weekly vendor payments have sped reimbursements and that the project currently shows an overage relative to the original authorization; the transcript states the project will come in “$63,000 over the project authorization” and that the manager plans to take $10,000 from a CIC/Duke line and $53,000 from a previously discussed line of credit to cover the overrun. The transcript does not provide final verified ledger totals or the currency units for the round numbers reported.

County addendum and funding timing: council and staff discussed that the asphalt cost for Lower Harbor Drive (reported in the meeting as $78,000) is expected to be paid from the county CDBG/revitalization grant but that the village may have to advance funds until county approval and reimbursement arrives. The manager said the addedendum from Hamilton County must be finalized before the village advances funds: if county authorization does not come through, the village intends the contract approval to be null and void.

Railroad safety devices and right-of-way: council approved a separate motion consenting to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) placing new active safety devices (gates/warning signals) where Harbor Drive intersects the railroad; the council agreed to provide an email of consent so ODOT and the railroad can proceed with an easement adjustment and equipment installation.

Why it matters: the decisions affect schedule and funding for the riverfront park, the village’s short-term cash flow (possible advance of grant funds), and the safety upgrades at the Harbor Drive railroad crossing adjacent to the park.

Follow-up: staff will await the county addendum, coordinate the ODOT crossing work and continue project closeout and reimbursement submissions to the county and state grant administrators.