Council approves Ottawa Avenue corridor construction contract after bids come in under estimate

The Defiance City Council voted March 3 to authorize a construction contract for the Ottawa Avenue Corridor Improvement Project, whose low bid totaled $2,738,736.50, city staff said.

City staff said the project will replace a section of waterline on Ottawa Avenue, reconstruct the street between key intersections, and add sidewalks and shared‑use paths to improve pedestrian access to parks and amenities. Staff told council the bid was below the earlier $3.1 million engineer estimate and that the city has secured approximately $1,700,000 in grant funding toward the work.

The project scope includes water‑system work and street reconstruction; staff said part of the cost will be paid from a combination of water funds and capital funds. Council members asked for clarification about the financing gap created when the bid came in, and staff explained the city had previously taken a $500,000 0% state infrastructure loan and would finance the remaining shortfall. To cover the remainder and associated fees, the city presented an ordinance authorizing bond issuance that council also adopted the same evening.

Council declared an emergency to expedite the contract authorization and then voted to adopt the ordinance authorizing the contract. City staff emphasized the outcome was the result of a competitive bid process and that the lower bid than expected reduces pressure on the city's capital budget.

The project follows priorities identified in the city's parks master plan, staff said, noting respondents wanted more ways to walk within the city and to access park spaces. Work described by staff includes waterline replacement, new sidewalks and shared‑use paths, and street reconstruction along Ottawa Avenue.

The next procedural step is contract execution and scheduling with the low bidder; staff will return with final financing details and timelines as they complete the bond sale and finalize contractor scheduling.