Paving the way for new downtown
PORT CLINTON — Those who have had to find new ways to get around downtown Port Clinton because of construction on Second Street can breathe a sigh of relief. The end is in sight.
New blacktop and concrete sidewalks were poured, paved and smoothed in the 100 block of West Second Street outside the post office, Coffee Express, Sew Much More, The End Zone, Lilly & Gert's and The News Herald on Monday afternoon.
Since late March, multiple construction companies have replaced water and sewer lines, repaired gas lines, buried the electric lines and put in new storm drains.
The $1.5 million revitalization of Second Street is taking place in the two blocks between Harrison and Jefferson streets, a 1,050-foot section that had been long neglected by previous administrations.
Port Clinton's Safety-Service Director Tracy Colston said Erie Blacktop crews should be finished up with the project on both sides of Madison Street by Monday.
"We're holding them to that date," Colston said. "They're undercutting right now on the east side and then they'll be able to pour the concrete."
Second Street is the first phase of the the two-phase $6 million downtown revitalization plan created by Port Clinton Mayor Vince Leone.
In 2016, Madison Street will undergo the same treatment.
The massive project also calls for wider sidewalks along Madison to allow for restaurants and shops to have outdoor dining and patio space, as well as giving the city an overall streamlined, fresh look.
In a recent mayoral debate with challenger Hugh Wheeler Jr. at Port Clinton High School, Leone said they wanted to do the work from the "bottom to the top" and put an emphasis on fixing what's underground.
"Some of those lines were 68 years old," Leone said. "If we don't do it right, we'll just have to go back and dig it up and redo it. We evaluated it and are doing it top to bottom."
Leone, city administration, and Poggemeyer Design Group secured $587,840 through the Ohio Department of Transportation's Small Cities Program and a $175,000 grant from Ohio Public Works Commission.
About $550,000 for the project comes from a low interest loan through the Ohio Water Development Authority and $200,000 is provided from the main thoroughfare fund from license plate fees, according to Julie Thomas, project manager from Poggemeyer Design Group.
The remaining cost will be paid by the city.
Poggemeyer also worked with the city to complete revitalization work on Sixth and Fulton streets in the last two and half years.
jdenton@gannett.com
419-734-7506
Twitter: @jessicadentonNH