ASHLAND — Ashland city officials are seeking bids to restore a hydropillar but are not hopeful work will be completed until next year.
City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that allows officials to start the bidding process on the 500,000 hydropillar that towers over the Ashland County Fairgrounds.
The city hired a firm within the year to study the hydropillar. It found a number of repairs are needed on the inside and some foundational issues that need to be addressed.
Mayor Matt Miller has also expressed a desire in painting the exterior the same blue as others in the city and to include the city’s logo.
Miller said council’s Tuesday agenda almost did not include the ordinance allowing officials to start the bidding process on this project. He said one of the companies expected to bid on the project said there is a national shortage of materials and that work would likely not get started until Spring 2022.
“We believe it’s important to get in line no matter when the work is going to start,” Miller said, adding the shortage might get worse as more communities begin water and sewer projects funded by ARP dollars.
A portion of the $800,000 project will be covered by a $250,000 grant from Ashland County. Commissioners earmarked the money as part of its $10 million American Rescue Plan allocation.
Ashland was one of several county communities to receive grants from commissioners earlier this month. All the projects involved updating water and sewer infrastructure.
“If we at least get in the cue now … we’re moving in the right direction,” Miller said.
