ATHENS, Ohio — At Athens City Council’s meeting Monday night, two members raised concerns about the proposed roundabout project at the intersection of State Routes 682 and 56, which is scheduled to start construction this summer.
Transportation Committee chair Solveig Spjeldnes, 1st Ward, said she cannot support the project if it does not address a dangerous area in the northwest corner of the intersection, where the Ohio Department of Transportation owns a property.
Spjeldnes said the project needs to consider including at least a small section of sidewalk north on SR 682 for the pedestrian safety of those living nearby.
Sidewalks are proposed as part of the project; Spjeldnes noted that one sidewalk of ample length is planned to run south out of the roundabout on SR 682 next to White’s Mill.
And yet, she said, very little sidewalk is planned from northward from the roundabout on SR 682 toward the Kershaw Greene housing complex.
In a prepared statement she read into the record, Spjeldnes said she had two stipulations before supporting the project. One was that traffic flow would be maintained in all four directions during construction of the up to $4.6 million project — which seems to be proceeding, she said.
But Spjeldnes said she saw no reason for a sidewalk beside White’s Mill when a few hundred feet of sidewalk northbound out of the roundabout on SR 682 could increase pedestrian safety for Kershaw Greene residents.
“Clearly, many who live in Kershaw Greene don’t have cars, so [they] walk to and from GoMart on the corner across from Route 56,” Spjeldnes said. “The other day, I saw a young woman … carrying her small baby on her back along that route.” She added that local residents who drive “expressed to me that they fear hitting these [pedestrians].”
John Molinaro, president of the University Estates Home Owners Association, said a 100-foot stretch on SR 682 North along ODOT property is particularly dangerous. If that small stretch can be dealt with, he believes it would resolve the issue of pedestrian safety.
Council members said construction of a sidewalk northbound along SR 682 faces two issues: funding and the train tracks.
Mayor Steve Patterson noted another roundabout project is under discussion for the SR 682 intersection with Luhrig and Armitage roads near Kershaw Greene. Spjeldnes said the Woda project developers of Kershaw Greene have offered $70,000 toward a sidewalk.
Patterson said the window of opportunity to voice concerns about the project is now, as Spjeldnes has done — before construction starts. It is possible that sidewalk spending for the project could be altered toward a different section of the project.
Council member Beth Clodfelter, At Large, said she would also like to see a short sidewalk north of the roundabout extended all the way to Kershaw Greene. She said the city should look into grant funding and ODOT funds.
Council member Alan Swank, 4th Ward, said taking the section of proposed sidewalk to White’s Mill — and instead extending it toward Kershaw Greene — would only get it three-quarters of the way toward the railroad track.
A “significant amount” of additional funding would be needed if a sidewalk were to extend to the railroad track and beyond, Swank said; however, he supports a sidewalk towards White’s Mill.
Funding for the project comes from ODOT and the Ohio Public Works Commission as well as $1.83 million from the city.
Losing marijuana revenue
Patterson told the council that the city stands to lose $350,000 per year in Host Community Cannabis Fund Revenue, as two state laws – one already passed by the state senate – would reallocate money to state coffers.
The state charges a 10% excise tax on cannabis. Of that amount, 36% is supposed to go to municipalities that have cannabis dispensaries. As of Monday, March 10, that pool of funds stands at roughly $22 million.
Patterson said the city had planned to use its share of the Community Cannabis Fund revenue to support police and fire pay and benefits.
According to a report from The Ohio State University Moritz School of Law, Ohio House Bill 160 would reduce municipal cities’ take from 36% to 20% for five years, starting in fiscal year 2026. The report also notes that the governor’s biennial budget proposal takes all the local funds and reallocates them for state projects.
Patterson said he learned of the potential loss of funds from the Ohio State report, which estimates that municipalities with two recreational marijuana dispensaries, like Athens, could lose an average of $175,000 per dispensary if the laws pass.
Council member Jessica Thomas, At-Large, said plans to reallocate all marijuana revenue to the state is not what the public voted on with Issue 2 and called it “pretty much a slap in the face to voters.” She urged residents to contact their state representatives and express objections.
Patterson said some municipalities have already rezoned to accommodate recreational dispensaries “predicated upon the revenue they had anticipated receiving.”
Uptown event closures and street beautification
The council heard first readings of two significant ordinances: one adding two events to forthcoming Uptown activities requiring street closures, and the other a $6.5 beautification project on Uptown’s north end.
The two additional events are the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area kickoff on Sunday, May 17, on West State Street between Court and Congress streets, and the Pride festival slated for Sunday, June 7, on Union Streets between Court and Congress streets.
Other events on the closure list include Ohio Brew Week Last Call on Sunday, July 19, on Court Street between Carpenter and Washington streets; the Athens Community Arts & Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 2, on West Union Street between Court and Congress streets; and the Halloween Block Party on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Swank again raised concerns that the Ohio Brew Week Fall Fest scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6, is the same day as the heavily touted Ohio University vs. West Virginia University football game, which could overwhelm city services depending on what time each event starts.
He suggested that city administration discuss game plans with OU Athletic Director Julie Comer and perhaps consider moving the brew fest to the following weekend.
Related ordinances received first readings to allow vendors during festivals while temporarily suspending noise violations.
The streetscape beautification project, set to take 18 months and be completed in 2026, involves a $6.5 million grant from the Appalachian Community Grant Program, which is managed by Ross County.
The project involves burying overhead and electric telecommunications lines on the north end of Uptown along State and Mill streets between College and Congress streets, and along Carpenter Street between State and Congress. It also would include sidewalk and streetscape features on Carpenter Street. Project engineering is underway.
Mayor’s report
During his report, Patterson mentioned proposed Senate Bill 104, which would take away cities’ authority to regulate short-term rentals.
Patterson noted that a $16.7 million grant initiated by Athens and handed off to the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council is now in jeopardy. The charging and fueling infrastructure grant would provide more than 200 charging stations to more than 20 municipalities from Athens to Dayton, including the village of Amesville.
But the grant award is currently “frozen” and “under review,” Patterson said, adding, “I have serious concerns about that.”
The grant review process should conclude by the end of the month, with Patterson said his major concerns being that the review is examining projects that involve “equity; diversity, equity and inclusion; climate change activity; environmental justice; gender-specific projects; bicycle infrastructure; and electric vehicle charging and infrastructure.”
Athens’ benefit from the grant would come for funding of EV charging stations, he said.
In other action, the council:
- Heard second reading of an ordinance authorizing a city fiber network at a total cost of $1.06 million, and construction of phase four and design of phase five set at $450,000. Funding involves $610,000 from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act; $400,000 from the street fund; and $50,000 from the general fund. The conduit for the fiber optic network already exists along Court Street and will connect with traffic lights along Richland Avenue.
- Heard second reading of an ordinance to appropriate $285,000 toward sidewalk design and construction in order to close out the Dairy Lane/Stagecoach sewer expansion project. The city-county project has a total cost of $6.9 million, the majority of which – nearly $5 million from Sewer Fund 750 – went to sewer easements, construction engineering, and a loan fee. Over $1.3 million went toward water line construction, construction engineering and contingency.
- Unanimously adopted three ordinances related to city annexation of approximately 35 acres east of Cable Lane owned by Frander Properties LLC. One ordinance involved the city accepting the petition of annexation for the property; one ordinance designated the annexation zone as R-1 (single family residential); and a third ordinance authorized the service-safety director to execute a perpetual right-of-way easement with Frander Properties LLC.
Athens City Council’s next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 24, in Athens City Hall, Council Chambers, third floor, 8 E. Washington St. Meetings are also available online. Regular sessions are on the first and third Mondays of the month; committee meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays.
