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Brook Park council caucus advances Sheldon Road sewer, bridge cooperation agreement to Sept. 16
Summary
Council heard details of a $7.22 million Sheldon Road profile-raising and bridge-replacement project, with Brook Park’s initial share about $439,223.50; the project depends on grant applications and intergovernmental agreements and was moved to the Sept. 16 council meeting for first reading.
Mayor Orcutt presented an intergovernmental cooperation agreement for the Sheldon Road profile-raising and bridge-replacement project, saying the total estimated cost is about $7,219,559 and that Brook Park’s current share would be roughly $439,223.50. He asked council to move the ordinance to the Sept. 16 council agenda for first reading.
Why it matters: the project is intended to replace a bridge and re-profile the roadway while upgrading sanitary infrastructure in coordination with Cuyahoga County and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). Officials said the work includes replacing a mechanical forced main with a gravity-fed sanitary main in areas currently served by a forced main — a change that contributes to Brook Park’s additional costs.
Public-works director Brian Beyer and NEORSD staff outlined the financing and schedule. The packet’s exhibit lists a $161,310.50 fixed sewer-pipe item; the mayor noted Middleburg Heights’ exposure not to exceed about $277,913. The city and county are seeking Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant funding this fall; NEORSD representatives said award decisions are expected in mid‑January 2026. If grant funding is secured and bids come in within budget, staff said construction bidding and award could occur in the first half of 2026, with work starting no earlier than July 1, 2026, and an anticipated 212‑day construction window leading toward substantial completion in 2027.
NEORSD representatives also described pre‑ and post‑construction flow monitoring and plans to temporarily remove then reinstall a USGS monitoring station during construction. Beyer said converting forced mains to gravity-fed sanitary sewer is preferred for long-term operations and safety, and that the project design includes a larger retention basin to serve added development before the existing basin is taken offline.
Next steps: Council voted to place the cooperation agreement on the Sept. 16 council agenda for first reading so the city can proceed with intergovernmental authorizations and allow the county and NEORSD to pursue OPWC grant funding. The mayor said the item is time sensitive: “It is time sensitive,” he told the caucus, urging council to move the timeline forward.
Funding and risks: the project’s financing includes county and NEORSD contributions; Brook Park’s share and other local obligations will become final as grant awards and intergovernmental agreements are completed. Staff cautioned that certain costs are fixed (a listed sewer‑pipe cost) and that Brook Park will incur extra expense where gravity conversion is required. The project remains contingent on grant awards and successful bidding.
