Rossford moves forward with plans for roundabout
3/12/2018A roundabout planned for more than a year in Rossford will be built after all.
City Council voted 5-2 Monday night to move forward with plans for a $2.5 million roundabout at the intersection of State Rt. 65, Lime City Road, and Colony Road. Council originally approved the project in February, 2017, but City Councilman Bob Densic proposed legislation to scrap it.
Mr. Densic and Councilman Jerry Staczek voted to cease with planning.
Mr. Densic cited safety concerns stemming from three businesses and several houses in close proximity.
“Some people say this is to challenge council; it's not by any means,” Mr. Densic said. “We need preventative maintenance programs [for roads]. We need to preserve what we have for as long as we can to save dollars. There's also a large amount of private property that would be impacted.”
Rossford secured about $650,000 in grant money for the project years ago, and those funds can be used only on this project.
"To apply for a grant and be fortunate enough to receive it, then to just tell the people that awarded you the grant you no longer want it, I don't think that's right," Mayor Neil MacKinnon said. "The chances of being successful in the near future applying for a grant after you've wasted a bunch of time and turned one away, I think your chances of receiving them in the near future are not very good."
Councilman Larry Oberdorf said Mr. Densic presented his argument well, but he still disagreed with him.
“I've been here from the very beginning of this project and I've seen how much work has gone into it,” Mr. Oberdorf said. “I'm tired of the stalling techniques by members of council and many other people.”
At a recent meeting, six residents spoke against the roundabout while two were in favor. Construction is set to start in 2020.
The city has discussed for years ways to make the intersection safer. Lime City and Colony do not intersect with State Rt. 65 at right angles.
In other business, council rejected a resolution 4-3 brought by Mr. Densic to request performance audits from the Northwestern Water and Sewer District. Rossford is a member of the district, which supplies customers with water from Toledo. Councilman Chris Heban, Mr. Staczek, and Mr. Densic voted yes.
Mr. Densic sought to find ways to cut high water costs in the short term while regional discussions continue.
Contact Jay Skebba at jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.