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Loveland council hears updates on downtown, roads, PFAS and grants; construction timelines laid out
Summary
City staff updated council on 2024–25 goals and major projects, including West Loveland redevelopment, Lava Madeira Road phases, a possible $500,000 Safe Routes to School grant, Riverside Drive surveys by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a PFAS planning milestone with Ohio EPA that could fund design work.
City Manager Dave Kennedy and staff briefed the Loveland City Council on June 24 about progress on the city’s 2024–25 goals and several capital and grant-funded projects.
Kennedy said a plan for two blocks of West Loveland is complete and the city will invite the traffic engineer (TEC) to present details at a council meeting in July. Staff also reported a downtown streetscape phase 1 application was submitted to the Ohio Department of Transportation and the city expects a funding decision any day.
Under commercial development, staff said Kenwood dealer group (referred to in the presentation as Eva/Keinwood activity) purchased two parcels in the Commerce Park and will renovate to expand operations, bringing new jobs to the area.
Staff described several transportation and sidewalk projects: the city submitted a Safe Routes to School application to ODOT that, if funded, could make the city eligible for up to $500,000 in sidewalk improvements over five years. The Osage sidewalk project was completed with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Lava Madeira Road work is proceeding in phases: Phase 3 (Castle Skateland to the city limits) is expected to go out to bid in the first quarter of 2026 with construction during 2026; the section from West Loveland to the roundabout could be late 2027 or 2028 depending on Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding; Phase 2 was described as likely later, near 2030.
Riverside Drive survey work has begun by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; staff said survey and design work will follow. On PFAS planning, Kennedy said the city’s PFAS general plan has been approved by the Ohio EPA, which staff said positions the city for consideration for a principal-forgiveness grant to fund 100% of design costs. A project-management plan was released in draft for a one-month public comment period; staff said they expect a firm update on funding in July.
Director of Finance Mark Medler told council staff is updating reserve policies and plans to present revised language to the Finance Commission in July. Assistant City Manager Chris Winich and other staff provided additional technical details and timeline estimates.
Councilmembers asked timing questions and staff provided projected bid and construction windows for major segments. No legislative actions were taken on the projects at the June 24 meeting; staff will return with grant results, design details or construction bids as projects progress.
