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Local preservation group seeks city letter, certified-local-government status for bridge work
Summary
Members of Save the Bridge Association asked Waterville officials for a letter of support and for city assistance obtaining cost estimates for rehabilitating a nearby historic bridge; they also urged consideration of certified local government status to unlock preservation funding.
Members of the Save the Bridge Association urged the Waterville City Council on Aug. 25 to support preservation and obtain more detailed cost estimates for stabilizing and rehabilitating a historic bridge on the city’s edge.
Dave Weber, who identified himself as treasurer of Save the Bridge Association, said the nonprofit’s "short term goal is preserve the bridge. Our long term goal is rehabilitate the bridge," and requested two forms of municipal support: a formal letter of support for grant applications and a municipal request to ODOT to help estimate preservation costs.
Weber told council members the group recently met with officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation and discussed preservation techniques used in Indiana, but said ODOT staff told him they required a municipality to request technical help. Weber asked the city to send a letter to the district ODOT representative, requesting assistance in estimating short-term preservation and rehabilitation costs for grant applications.
Weber also asked that the city consider applying for certified local government (CLG) status, which he said could unlock preservation funding and tax advantages for private owners. He said a draft ordinance expanding the downtown historic commission’s authority had been prepared with input from Ohio’s CLG administrator and that the association is willing to assist with outreach and grant writing.
City officials said the CLG idea and related redevelopment initiatives are under review and will be coordinated with the city’s long-range plan, downtown redevelopment district, and recent state budget outcomes. Council indicated staff would follow up with Weber and the planning commission and aim to provide an update at the next council meeting.
Weber asked the council for a letter to ODOT asking for help estimating preservation costs; he said the group will use that information to support grant requests with foundations and other funders. Weber noted that replacement costs in a prior ODOT report included expensive full-rebuild figures and that the association is focused on preservation and phased rehabilitation, which the group believes will cost substantially less than full replacement.
Council members thanked Weber for his civic work and asked staff to coordinate next steps with the planning commission and ODOT.
