Project Update March, 2021

Project plans are nearing 60% completion.  Since the first public meeting in October 2020, the City’s consultant has continued to develop the project plans including:

• Incorporated public comments, including limiting grading and tree removal limits.
• Development of a proposed landscaping plan
• Development of lower lake dredging plan
• Finished topographical survey data collection including survey of the bottom of the lakes
• Conducted geotechnical soil sampling and analysis
• Finished hydraulic modeling and analysis for the proposed dams and storm water storage.
• Finished wetland assessments and submittal to the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) for wetland permitting
• Submittal of preliminary plan to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for review

Project Schedule

The estimated project schedule is as follows: 

• Tree Clearing* – Starts Week of March 8, 2021 (weather permitting)
• Continue Design – February thru May 2021
• Final Review by ODNR, ACOE and other review agencies – Late Spring, 2021
• Bid Project - June, 2021
• Estimated Construction Schedule: Summer, 2021 (four months)

*Tree Clearing 
In the State of Ohio, the Indiana and Northern Long-Eared bats are afforded special protection under the Endangered Species Act. Because these species of bats hibernate in the winter, they are not using trees, so winter is the ideal time to clear trees.  To remain compliant with environment permit requirements, all trees affected by the project should be cut no later than March 31, 2021.  

Trees will be cut and removed from the site starting the week of March 8th, weather permitting. Stumps will remain and will be removed by the dam/earthwork contractor.  For safety, various segments of the walking trail system will be closed during the tree removal work.  The trails will be re-opened once the area is safe for pedestrian access.