Committee Recommends $1.7 Million Park and Recreational Trail Project
Residents are excited about park improvements; lukewarm about a 10' shared use path
The Community and Economic Development Committee of the Troy City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, May 28th, at 6 PM, chaired by Jeff Schilling, with members Lynne Snee and Samuel Pierce also present. Most of the meeting’s discussion involved having the committee making a recommendation for the council to authorize an application to the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for Program Year 2024. These grants cover the Community Development Allocation Program and Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funds.
Development Director Tim Davis, along with Nikki Reese, provided detailed information about the grant application. They outlined the background, requirements, and specifics of both the allocation and revitalization grants. The background centered on the 2017 Downtown Riverfront Strategic Development Study aiming to enhance bicycle connectivity from the city’s southeast side and develop access to the south side of the Great Miami River, especially in light of the upcoming Low Head Dam Removal.
The proposed project includes creating a shared use/mixed use/bike trail on the south side of the river from Treasure Island to the east side of the railroad bridge near Crawford Street. This particular CDBG project involves establishing a Crawford Street shared use/mixed use/bike trail from East Water Street to Herrlinger Park, and incorporating park improvements.
Grant requirements dictate that projects must serve low to moderate-income (LMI) areas, with at least three eligible activities identified in the grant. The proposed project covers stormwater, sidewalk, street, recreational improvements, curbs, and gutters. This is Troy's first application for such the Neighborhood Revitalization Grant. With the allocation grant, the city will receive $150,000 from the state for use over the next two years. For this application, the proposal includes using $130,000 from the allocation funds for Crawford Street pedestrian improvements.
The estimated project cost is around $1.7 million, with funding sources including $650,000 from the CDBG NRP, $130,000 from the CDBG allocation, $250,000 from the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, stormwater funds, water funds, and $400,000 from Troy’s general funds. The city has also applied for additional funds from state representatives to offset some costs.
Herlinger Park improvements include new playground equipment, a nine-hole disc golf course, new pickleball courts, new lighting, improved parking, and fencing. Two public hearings and four informational meetings were held to gather resident input, influencing the project’s scope and design.
During the meeting, Mr. Pierce and Mrs. Snee raised questions about parking, tree removal, lighting direction, and ensuring the preservation of mature trees. Mr. Davis confirmed that the project would not affect on-street parking and emphasized efforts to minimize disruptions and preserve existing trees.
Public concerns included the project’s impact on neighborhood safety, liability for the bike path, and the feasibility of fitting all planned improvements within existing street widths. The development team assured that all work would remain within current right-of-way limits, which means in all likelihood that the width of the street would need to dramatically decreased. City staff also provided comments addressing safety and liability concerns by treating the bike path as part of the city's recreational trails with appropriate maintenance and protections.
Residents voiced mixed feelings. While supportive of park improvements and the revitalization efforts, some questioned the necessity of extensive street modifications. Suggestions included focusing more on park improvements rather than extensive street work, which was acknowledged for further consideration. The committee recommended approval of the measure as an emergency measure, given the June 12th deadline for the grant application.
The committee also addressed the need to reauthorize the Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, originally adopted in 1994, now required to be updated every five years by the ODOD for grant application purposes.
Additionally, the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve the final plat of Fox Harbor Section 10 was discussed. This involves an 11.5-acre area with 27 building lots, located west of the King’s Chapel neighborhood, just south of West Main Street. This recommendation did not require emergency legislation.
Lastly, an annexation petition for 107.559 acres from Concord Township by ELC LLC was reviewed. This expedited annexation, located on the west side of Wilson Road, required immediate action with emergency legislation due to tight timelines.
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From Jeff Schilling, member Troy City Council - I read your report on our recent Council committee meeting and want to clarify that the Committee vote gave the authority to the Oda Administration to seek grant funding for the proposed project. I specifically asked Mr. Davis if by authorizing the attempt to obtain funding, the project was a go or could changes be made in the plan design. After some consideration, Mr. Davis stated that changes could be made as long as the requirements of the grants were satisfied.