Sylvania approves right‑of‑way consultants, seeks $700,000 OPWC grant for Erie/Monroe roundabout

The Sylvania City Council on Aug. 18 approved contracts to begin right‑of‑way acquisition work for the Erie Street and Monroe Street roundabout and authorized staff to apply for $700,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission to help fund the project.

The contracts accepted by emergency ordinance direct West Erie Realty Solutions to perform acquisition services and a separate consultant to perform an independent appraisal review. Council President McCann reported the Employee and Community Relations Committee had previously reviewed related personnel items; Public Works presentations on the right‑of‑way process followed.

The project scope includes building a roundabout at Erie and Monroe and resurfacing Erie Street from Centennial to Monroe. Staff said West Erie Realty’s proposal covers project management, title reports, appraisals, negotiations, closings and recordation for 10 parcels at a proposed cost of $95,000; an independent appraisal review was presented at $13,500 (ordinance numbers 86‑2025 and 87‑2025 were approved as emergency measures). Council also approved Resolution 13‑2025 authorizing the mayor and finance director to submit an OPWC grant application; Public Works Director Shaw told council the $700,000 request would supplement $2,861,000 already secured for state funding.

Shaw explained that because the project uses state and federal funds, the city must use ODOT‑prequalified consultants for real‑estate acquisition and must include an independent appraisal review to meet federal acquisition requirements. He told council West Erie Realty has worked with the city on prior federally funded right‑of‑way projects and that appraisal reviewers are scarce locally but have been used on prior projects.

Council members asked how consultants were selected and whether the work had been used on prior projects; Shaw said the firms were prequalified through ODOT and had previously assisted the city on projects including Monroe and Harroun and right‑of‑way acquisitions tied to traffic signals and resurfacing. He also said the state (District 2) will review appraisals and provide oversight to ensure federal requirements are met.

Council approved the appropriations and the grant‑application resolution by voice vote; none opposed. The city will submit the OPWC application on Sept. 5 and expects to learn scoring results in November.

Funding and next steps: with the consultant contracts authorized, staff will begin appraisals and appraisal reviews and then prepare fair‑market offers to property owners; the OPWC application is the remaining funding step for construction and resurfacing.