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Tallmadge council adopts technical correction to advance $4.5M Howe Road reconstruction
Summary
The Tallmadge City Council on March 9 adopted Resolution 20-26-4 by a 5-0 vote to request a federal technical correction that would apply $1 million in grant funding toward the Howe Road reconstruction project, which city staff estimated at roughly $4.5–4.6 million.
Tallmadge City Council adopted Resolution 20-26-4 on March 9 to request a federal technical correction that would direct available federal funds to the Howe Road reconstruction project, passing the measure by a 5-0 roll call.
The resolution, introduced in the finance committee, aims to correct a prior funding allocation so a $1,000,000 award can be applied to Howe Road. Mayor Kilway described the measure as “the last piece that we would need in order to go forward with this technical correction,” and staff said the city already has roughly $1,000,000 set aside from last year’s budget and is pursuing $1.25 million from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) to cover the remainder of the project’s estimated $4.49–4.6 million cost.
The discussion centered on how the correction links to earlier work and whether previous studies justified the current direction. Councilmember Dave Klein noted he was not a supporter of a previously considered tunnel concept, saying, “I never did like the project,” but staff and the mayor said the federal correction allows the city to pivot toward the Howe Road project instead. Director of Finance Gilbride confirmed engineering costs for the earlier feasibility work totaled about $88,000 between 2023 and 2024.
According to staff, the city originally sought $2,000,000 and received $1,000,000 in federal grant funds. Gilbride said the administration intends to bid Howe Road as a single project rather than phase it, and is reviewing remaining financing options while coordinating with Summit County on sewer-related matters tied to the project. Council members asked for clarity on county contract timing; staff said they expected county action and had a meeting scheduled to finalize details.
The council adopted the resolution unanimously. Next steps described by staff include finalizing the county sewer contract, completing remaining financing decisions, and moving toward procurement and construction scheduling for Howe Road.
