Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff update commission on low-level dam removal and river restoration project
Summary
City and Flatland Resources updated commissioners on a near-complete design for a downtown low-level dam removal and river restoration project, with an engineers' estimate of about $3.5 million and expected grant funding to cover roughly 90% of costs.
City staff and Flatland Resources presented a project update on July 7 for the planned low-level dam removal and associated river restoration in downtown Piqua.
Flatland Resources' lead designer David Heilman said the project aims to remove a power dam, modify a water-intake dam, improve fish passage with constructed riffles, install a canoe launch and improve river access and bank stabilization in downtown Lock 9 Park. "Our engineers estimate is about 3 and a half million dollars for the dam removal and the modification and the river restoration," Heilman said during the presentation.
Partners and permitting: Heilman listed US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ohio EPA WRRSP and H2Ohio programs among funding partners and said the Miami Conservancy District is conducting final plan review. Staff said project permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is ongoing and that a large freshwater mussel salvage/relocation is planned prior to construction.
Funding and next steps: Staff said current project funding is expected to be covered approximately 90% by grants and about 10% from local power and water funds, contingent on final bid results. The commission was told a resolution to allocate funds to complete design work would be forthcoming at a future meeting followed by a construction authorization resolution once bids are received.
What to watch: Staff anticipates moving toward bidding later this year if final numbers align with engineer estimates; further commission actions will cover design funding and construction authorization.
