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Commission approves Tri Cities North wastewater plant upgrades; applicant to seek $217 million in financing
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Summary
The Planning Commission approved a major final site plan for Tri Cities North Regional Wastewater Authority at 3777 Needmore Road to modernize aging infrastructure, increase capacity and meet upcoming Ohio EPA nutrient limits; the applicant said it will seek $217 million in funding and expects a four‑year construction window.
The City of Riverside Planning Commission voted April 15 to approve a major final site plan for upgrades to the Tri Cities North Regional Wastewater Authority facility at 3777 Needmore Road, finding the project consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and subject to the standard construction and permitting conditions required for large public‑utility projects.
Applicant Danny Knife described the need: the current plant — built in 1985 — is reportedly operating beyond its design capacity and cannot meet stricter Ohio EPA limits coming in 2027 for phosphorus, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). "We're gonna get a a phosphorus limit," Knife said, adding that the existing infrastructure ‘‘can't treat for those’’ new limits. Knife said the renovation program includes an approximately 11‑million‑gallon aeration basin (the largest single component, estimated at roughly $80 million) and other upgrades to address capacity shortfalls and aging equipment.
Knife told the commission the Tri Cities authority serves portions of several communities and treats roughly 11.2 million gallons per day on average; engineering analysis projected potential flow increases that justify a plant design up to about 17.3 million gallons per day. He described the project's planning and procurement approach (construction manager at‑risk) and said the Tri Cities board will request $217,000,000 in funding from the Ohio Water Development Authority; if approved, Knife said the authority expects to break ground in August and complete construction in about four years.
Planning staff conveyed that the site plan is consistent with the City of Riverside comprehensive plan and that final construction approvals will be contingent on required permits from Montgomery County Building, Ohio EPA and other agencies. Commissioners asked about local economic effects and jobs; Knife estimated 100–120 temporary construction jobs during the work and the applicant predicted increased local spending during construction. Staff clarified that proposed Tri Cities sewer‑rate changes would affect Tri Cities member communities (Vandalia, Tipp City, Huber Heights) and are not a direct cost to Riverside water ratepayers served by the City of Dayton.
The commission closed the public hearing and approved the site plan by roll call. Staff and the applicant were asked to continue coordination on permitting, construction phasing and public information as the project proceeds toward financing and construction.
Next steps include the applicant’s formal request for financing before the Ohio Water Development Authority and required state and federal permitting; staff will review any plan changes and ensure required demolition or construction permits are obtained before work begins.
