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City of Geneva: West Main work on track for early September 2025; $2.6 million Appalachian grant moving forward
Summary
City staff told the Geneva City Council that contractors have accelerated West Main Street work and the city’s $2.6 million Appalachian Regional Commission placemaking grant and the DECIDE/SAD program are advancing toward construction-manager selection and a fall 2026 completion deadline.
City of Geneva city staff reported that work on the West Main Street reconstruction is progressing and remains on schedule for completion in early September 2025, and that multiple grant-driven placemaking and commercial-rehabilitation programs are advancing.
At the council meeting, a city staff speaker, identified in the record as Mr. Raquette, said contractors “have made up a lot of ground, and we're looking to be on schedule to complete this project in September, early September of 2025.” He told the council the city has an updated construction schedule and will hold a progress meeting (progress meeting No. 10) on Wednesday to direct next steps.
The council heard that the city’s Appalachian Regional Commission placemaking component — described as streetscape upgrades in the Greater Central Business District — had a kickoff meeting the prior Thursday and that staff and the city planner are adjusting schematic designs submitted with the grant application.
On the DECIDE program, Mr. Raquette said the Ashbrook Highway Land Bank is leading selection of a construction manager for a special assessment district (SAD) program to invest in central-business properties. He said the city had offered up to $30,000 per eligible property at the middle of the application period.
The transcript records the grant amount discussed as $2,600,000 and notes a statutory deadline for work completion: “all of this work has to be done by October of 2026,” Raquette told the council. The city will continue timeline updates and outreach as design and procurement proceed.
Mr. Raquette also told the council the planning commission has two vacancies after a recent resignation, with the commission’s full complement totaling seven members when filled. He said he would welcome referrals for candidates.
On emergency-cost recovery, staff reported the city submitted a public-assistance damage assessment to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency after a December snowstorm. The claim totals “a little over $25,000” for personnel, minor damage, supplies and contractor expenses; staff said the city will seek reimbursement through EMA.
Council members were also informed negotiations with the city’s four bargaining units continue into 2025, and the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce annual day is scheduled this Wednesday at the Spire (rescheduled from last month because of snow). A year-in-review report for June 16, 2024 that summarizes 2024 work and carryover projects was also distributed to council and published in the chamber’s program book.
The presentation concluded with staff offering to return at the next meeting to resume departmental program updates, beginning with recreation.
Ending: Council members did not take formal votes on the projects during the report; staff will return with updates and next-step recommendations as procurement and design work continue.
