Ashland seeks grant to fund U.S. 42 bike, pedestrian path

ASHLAND – The City of Ashland is asking for a state grant to construct a $1 million multi-use pathway along U.S. 42 from Center Street to East Main Street.

“I think most people would think of it as a pedestrian or bicycle pathway,” mayor Matt Miller told council members and visitors at the city’s council meeting Tuesday. “It would be 10 feet wide, and it would actually be installed 20 feet off U.S. 42 in the state’s right of way.”

The path would run from Center Street to North Davis Road, near the intersection of East Main Street and U.S. 42. It could tie into a proposed bike lane on Center Street that is currently under consideration by the city’s traffic committee. 

Ashland is seeking an Ohio Department of Transportation Alternatives Program Grant, which would cover 95 percent of the approximately $1 million cost of the paved trail, Miller said. The remaining five percent of the funding would come from a private donor, Miller said. 

Finance Director Larry Paxton said the state grant program would pay the project costs upfront rather than reimbursing the city’s expenses, so Ashland’s investment in the project would be minimal. 

This is the second time Ashland has applied for funding for the project, but Miller said he is hopeful the city will be awarded the grant this time. 

“The grant selection committee has made it abundantly clear to us that we should apply this year,” Miller said. 

City council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for the grant, but Ashland has made no commitment to the project. 

Council members also approved prices for sponsorship of holes and carts at Brookside Golf Course. Hole sponsorships are being sold for $1,000, and cart sponsorships are being sold for $500. Miller said the newly former Friends of Brookside Golf Course has already sold about 15 of each type of sponsorship. 

Council also agreed to solicit bids on a bridge rehabilitation project for the Cleveland Avenue bridge. The majority of the $315,000 project cost would come from the Ohio Public Works Commission Grant Program. The city’s share would be $113,000, Miller said.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, council approved the purchase of a compact wheel loader for the city’s wastewater division at a cost of approximately $105,000. Utilities director Mike Hunter said the equipment upgrade will be needed because an effort to reduce phosphorus in city water will significantly increase the amount of biosolids, or sludge, the city produces.