Sylvania awards $4.53M contract for downtown transportation Phase 2; council cites long-term planning and grant support

The Sylvania City Council approved Ordinance 87-2026 on May 18, awarding the Downtown Transportation Improvements Project Phase 2 construction contract to Helms and Sons Excavating for $4,526,522.

Public works staff told council the low bid came in roughly 2% under the engineer’s estimate of $4.6 million. Mr. Shaw recommended the award, noting the contractor performed the Phase 1 work and has experience with downtown constraints and coordination with the city’s consultant, American Structure Point. “I would highly recommend the contract be awarded to Helms and Sons Excavating in the amount of $4,526,522,” Mr. Shaw said.

Council members emphasized that the project has been in planning for years and highlighted a nearly $440,000 Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant that reduced the city’s net cost. One council member thanked Mr. Shaw and staff for their long-term work on downtown improvements and said the approval is the latest step in a decade‑long planning process.

The ordinance was adopted as an emergency measure by voice vote. City staff said construction engineering and coordination will continue under existing administrative contracts; staff did not record a separate roll call for this ordinance at the meeting.

Why it matters: The Phase 2 contract covers major roadway construction in downtown Sylvania and represents one of the largest capital projects in the 2026 budget. The award advances multi-year downtown redevelopment and transportation improvements previously discussed with the public and reflects grant support and earlier design work.

Next steps: City staff will coordinate with the contractor, the city’s construction administrator and funding agencies to finalize construction sequencing and change‑order management as the project progresses.