GENEVA – The City of Geneva isn’t getting much rest between projects.
It’s finished one and is starting another.
At the June 8th city council meeting, it was noted that Phase I of the West Main Construction Project is complete and the combined ACGP (Appalachian Community Grant Program) Streetscape Phase II & CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Storm Water Improvement Project along Depot Street is scheduled to start this week.
City Manager Joseph Varckette made the announcement in his report, which was read by city Finance Director Traci Welch in his absence.
“West Main Street is open to two-way traffic and the whole stretch of the reconstructed road looks amazing!” Varckette wrote in his report.
He noted that the contractor still has a punch list of items to finish, but the road and critical infrastructure is done, for all practical purposes.
“We can’t thank the community enough, especially the residents and businesses that were in and around the construction zone, for hanging in there and enduring the, at times, very trying inconveniences that were presented by this long overdue, yet critically-needed project,” he said. “Your patience and occasional criticism pushed us to constantly seek out the best avenues to circumvent the constant challenges we faced, so we could keep the project moving and close to schedule.”
Varckette said the best part is that the project is now “mostly behind us and we’re left with very modern and updated infrastructure that will efficiently serve our community for the next 50-plus years.”
He reiterated his thanks.
“Again, to our entire community, thank you for your patience and support and for working with us!” he wrote in his report. “The end result was certainly worth it! Now, it’s on to the next transformational project in the great city of Geneva!”
Phase I had a massive scope of work that involved reconstructing the street and installing new storm and sanitary utilities. It covered the area of the street from the UH Hospital to just east of Swan Street, in front of the Circle K.
Varckette noted that the city is now rolling right into another project with the combined ACGP (Appalachian Community Grant Program) Streetscape Phase II & CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Storm Water Improvement Project along Depot Street slated to begin this week.
According to Varckette, the project will upgrade the storm water infrastructure along Depot Street and the Depot Street parking lot as well as completely reconstruct the parking lot with the construction of a bioswale along Depot Street, new curbing and landscaping.
In addition, a new clock will be installed at the new pocket park at South Forest and East Main streets.
Varckette said the city will be getting regular updates on the project from the contractor and/or project manager. These will be posted on the “Projects” tab on the city website and social media so the public can track the progress, he said.
He provided the following schedule for the project:
• June 8 – surveying and posting signs
• June 12 – safety fence
• June 15-30 – curb removal and install
• July 1-15 –conduit to be installed and fire hydrant
• July 15-30 – all landscaping including topsoil, seeding, mulching, shrubs and trees
• Aug. 10 – clock installation and completion of any punch list items
• Aug. 21 – completion of project
In other business, Varckette asked in his report for authorization to apply for and enter into an agreement with DEFA (Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance) for WPCLF (Water Pollution Control Loan Fund) design funding for Phase II of the West Main Street project. Phase II construction is scheduled for 2027/28, according to Varckette.
Phase II will go from the center of town, from the intersection of routes 534 and 20, to the Circle K.
“As we have already entered into the work authorization with Verdantas, various detail design services by our engineer are already underway,” he said.
He said funding should be available by the end of August if the resolution he requested was passed that night.
During the meeting, council then passed the resolution requested by Varckette.
It authorizes the city manager to apply for, accept and enter into a WPCLF agreement on behalf of the city for the design of Phase II. The work involves sewer replacement on U.S. Route 20. The resolution also designates a dedicated repayment source for the loan.
Council also took action on the following items:
– Passed a resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for, accept and enter into a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Agreement on behalf of the city for the construction of the State Route 84 waterline replacement. It also designates a dedicated repayment source for the loan.
– Passed a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a partnership agreement with Ashtabula County for the PY 2026 Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) Grant with the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development
– Passed a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Verdantas for 2026 Geneva Road Program construction services
– Passed an ordinance for a 12-month moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for zoning and/or occupancy permit approvals for data centers within the city limits and the issuance of such approvals in the city.
Also passed was an ordinance establishing a six-month moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for zoning and/or occupancy permit approvals for cannabis operations within the city and the issuance of such approvals in the city. Council member Bill Baker noted the different lengths of the two moratoriums, and expressed a desire for council to be consistent.
Council agreed to hold a special meeting and public hearing at 5:45 p.m. July 6 on the tax budget.
