By Lucas Bechtol - lbechtol@bryantimes.com
The Montpelier Economic Development and Strategy Committee is looking ahead at three projects in the coming years with grant deadlines in the near future.
Councilman Chris Kannel, who serves on the committee, said committee members were looking for feedback on the plans to "make sure we're heading in a direction that council is in favor of."
The three projects are: paving Wabash-Cannonball Trail, Manor Drive multi-use path and Platt Street curbs and sidewalk. No vote was needed and no council member present expressed concerns with the plans.
Wabash-Cannonball Trail
The Wabash-Cannonball Trail project will be the last of three constructed (done in fiscal year 2028) but the grant applications are due the end of next month.
Kannel said the committee is working on finding the best way to fund the project, with engineering firm OHM Advisors suggesting Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding.
"Those are the funds we are currently using for the Iron Horse River Trail," he said. "At the moment, OHM is proposing to pursue funding to pave from County Road 13 to County Road 15 and they estimate that cost at $3.44 million."
ODOT would pay for 95% of construction and related costs and the village has most of the design funds already in place.
Councilman Nate Thompson, who also serves on the committee, said ODOT recommended the village apply to pave two miles.
"Then, if we don't get the full funding for the $3.4 million, we can always step it back to just a mile," he said.
Manor Drive
The Manor Drive multi-use path will create a path from Municipal Park to te school.
The intent is to use funding from the Safe Routes to Schools program through ODOT, with applications due by March 7.
"The excellent thing about this program is that currently it's funding up to $500,000 and they are funding 100% of construction costs," Kannel said. "OHM has already reviewed the project with ODOT and they feel it is a very worthy project."
Construction should be completed in fiscal year 2027. The village sill needs to obtain easements prior to submitting the application.
Platt Street
Village Manager Jason Rockey said the Platt Street project would replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks from Lawrence Street to Wabash Avenue and from Wabash Avenue to Brown Road it would be curbs and driveway approaches, only.
Kannel said Platt Street is going to be repaved in 2027 and he proposed OHM would do the design work and get approval for it through ODOT, which would do all the work as part of one big project.
"The design work would need to be done in 2026, so all that gets approved and we would apply for funding in the fall of 2025," he said.
The village aspect of the project would be around $1.2 million.
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