Council approves participation with ODOT for Kemper Road/Northland Boulevard realignment and shared-use path

Springdale City Council voted unanimously April 15 to authorize preliminary participation with the Ohio Department of Transportation on a realignment of the Kemper Road and Northland Boulevard intersection and construction of a shared-use path along Kemper Road.

During the second reading, Councilmember Mr. Jacobs read the ordinance language describing the project'to "construct a shared use path on Kemper Road from Lawnview Avenue to Princeton Pike, State Route 747, connecting to the Northland Boulevard shared use path"'and explained the city's obligations under the Local Public Agency (LPA) ODOT agreement. The ordinance requires the city to cooperate with ODOT, to enter into necessary agreements and to contribute a 20% local match toward the construction contract. The city will also cover 100% of professional project engineering and design development, right-of-way costs, and any amount above the cap of federal funds, and is responsible for installing or repairing curb ramps necessary for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

The measure also directs the city to comply with federal consultant-selection rules if federal funds are used, to follow ODOT design standards, and to acquire and make available all necessary right-of-way. It notes that, upon project completion, the city must provide maintenance and keep the right-of-way available for public highway purposes.

There was no extended debate in council on the ordinance; after the reading a motion to adopt was made, seconded and the clerk polled council. The ordinance passed with seven affirmative votes.

Why it matters: The project realigns a key intersection and adds a multi-use path intended to improve connections for pedestrians and bicyclists between Lawnview Avenue and Princeton Pike (SR 747). The ordinance obligates the city to a local cost share and several long-term maintenance and compliance responsibilities, which are substantive budget and operations commitments for the city.

Next steps: The ordinance authorizes the mayor and city administrator to enter into preliminary engineering contracts with ODOT's prequalified consultants and to execute agreements necessary to develop plans and complete the project. Specific construction timing, federal funding awards, right-of-way acquisition details and final project costs were not provided at the meeting.