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Lakewood approves application for $39M CSO storage project loan; officials cite tight deadlines for funding
Summary
Lakewood authorized application for WPCLF financing on June 2 for a $39 million combined-sewer-overflow storage project — a 2.1-million-gallon tank required under permit and consent-decree obligations.
Lakewood City Council on June 2 authorized the administration to apply for and accept a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement to finance construction of a combined sewer overflow (CSO) storage facility adjacent to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
The project includes construction of a roughly 2,100,000‑gallon storage tank and modification of CSO 052 overflow work required by the city’s NPDES wastewater permit and as part of a partial consent decree. Public Works Director Gordon told council the project is estimated at $39,000,000 and that the city has sought WPCLF funding to lower borrowing costs and preserve debt capacity.
Officials said loan repayment would be spread over roughly 30 years at a low interest rate; Finance Director Mahoney said the project was included in the sewer/water rate consultant (Raftelis) forecast through 2028 and noted the loan approach reduces the city’s need to add general-obligation debt. The administration also reported application for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) assistance is pending, and council acknowledged a near‑$1 million federal assistance award secured with help from Congresswoman Shontel Brown.
Why it matters: council members described the project as part of a multi-decade, federally mandated compliance effort under a consent decree for sewer and wastewater improvements. Council approved Resolution 2025-26, authorizing the mayor and designated officials to apply for and execute a WPCLF agreement and to designate a dedicated repayment source.
Council discussion: Councilmember Vogt and others asked for affordability details and repayment terms; Finance Director Mahoney said the Raftelis projections account for these projects through 2028 and cautioned that rate adjustments are likely to be revisited as projects proceed. Public Works and finance staff said the city is pursuing grant and loan combinations to reduce resident costs and preserve credit rating.
Outcome: Council adopted Resolution 2025-26 on first reading and passed the motion to authorize application and execution of a WPCLF agreement. Staff said WPCLF and OPWC application deadlines are tight and asked council to act promptly to secure funding.
What the record shows: the council approved authorizing the application for WPCLF funding and designated a repayment source; the project estimate is $39 million, repayment term approximately 30 years, and additional grant funding remains under consideration.
