Mount Vernon officials outline sustainability plan covering wastewater, trees, pollinators and neighborhood paths

City officials and community volunteers presented a broad sustainability and resiliency update at a Mount Vernon city meeting, outlining an estimated $45 million wastewater phosphorus-reduction project, a proposed citywide shade-tree master plan, a pollinator corridor and several community-led projects including a food forest at Arch Avenue Park.

The presentation focused on required regulatory work at the wastewater plant and a package of nature-based and community-driven measures meant to reduce stormwater impacts, expand tree canopy, support pollinators and improve walkability. A city official said reducing phosphorus at the wastewater treatment plant is mandatory under Ohio environmental rules: “We have to reduce our phosphorus,” the official said, adding that the current design estimate is about $45,000,000.

Why it matters: the wastewater upgrade responds to state and federal environmental requirements and carries a large price tag with implications for future utility budgets and capital planning. The shade-tree and beautification work, pollinator corridors, composting pilot and shared-use path under discussion affect neighborhood quality of life, stormwater management and public health across Mount Vernon.

Wastewater and sewer system work City staff described a design to reduce phosphorus at the municipal wastewater treatment plant and said the project will include facility upgrades. The city official said the current planning estimate is about $45 million but added the final bill likely will be reduced through design decisions; some costs may be passed to customers through normal rate and…