Council approves design contract for Oakland Road/State 48 sidewalk project

The Loveland City Council approved Resolution 77, authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Choice 1 Engineering for professional design, bidding and construction supervision services for the Oakland Road (State Route 48) sidewalk project.

City Manager Dave Kennedy (presenting) said the work will complete a missing sidewalk run connecting St. Columba to the future Clermont County Park trailhead and that the project includes a significant stormwater improvement at a low point requiring extension of an existing 84-inch pipe.

"This stretch is actually going to be a trailhead, so our sidewalks could take everyone into the trailhead," Kennedy said, adding that preliminary design and engineering are needed to refine costs and determine whether the work can be included in the 2026 CIP.

Staff said the city previously applied for an ODOT Safe Routes to School planning grant but did not receive planning funding; the city intends to reapply for the travel plan next year. If the travel plan is adopted, staff said the Safe Routes to School construction program could fund up to $500,000 per year for five consecutive years, enabling multi-phase construction.

The council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution 77. Staff noted the city had already used a small Appalachian grant to study alignment and stormwater issues, and that the project partners with Clermont County Park District on trailhead connections.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the Choice 1 Engineering contract and refine cost estimates and right-of-way needs, which will include coordination with St. Columba and the archdiocese for any property access required to connect sidewalks to Church Drive.

The resolution passed by roll call; councilmembers present included Mayor Bailey and Councilmembers Bateman, Goodyear, Hart, Horry and Ping.