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Vienna leaders unveil ADA-access river edge and $1 million earmark to clean industrial site
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Summary
City officials celebrated a new ADA-compliant river access and kayak launch at River's Edge and said a $1 million congressional earmark will fund cleanup of the former John Manville industrial area so the site can become usable green or parking space.
Vienna officials on the town-hall stage described a multi-year push to give residents public access to the Ohio River for the first time and to clean up a nearby industrial parcel for future use.
Mayor Emerick said the new River's Edge kayak launch and river-edge concrete pads — including 14-foot and 10-foot sections and ADA-compliant access to the water — will let residents "touch the water" and help those with disabilities reach the river for recreation. "This will enable those that have physical disabilities to be able to get down to the water fully ADA compliant," the mayor said.
The mayor and public-works leaders told residents the river-access work built on a prior administration's planning and a $350,000 grant that covered part of the project. An initial engineering bid had been near $800,000–$900,000, but the city and its engineers redesigned the plan to fit the available funds and later secured additional state or federal offset funding after a temporary government shutdown delayed work.
Officials also said the city has set task orders for improvements at Spencer's Landing — a stage area, a larger restroom facility and a road and walking connection to the main parking area — and that the engineering firm will present final plans for a council vote.
On the industrial side of the riverfront, city officials said they requested and received a $1,000,000 congressional earmark through the Wood County Economic Development Authority and Congressman Moore's office to support cleanup of the former John Manville property. "That money was approved... the paperwork will hit this summer, then in the fall we should be able to have the money," the mayor said. Staff said the city plans to put the cleanup out to bid during the summer and expects heavy equipment to break up existing concrete so the area can be converted into green space or usable parking to support Spencer's Landing.
Officials asked residents for patience while construction and cleanup proceed and said engineering task orders and formal council votes are the next procedural steps.
