WILMINGTON — The city will apply for grant money to build a walkway on Davids Drive.
At Thursday’s Wilmington City Council meeting, officials approved a resolution allowing Safety/Service Director Brian Shidaker to apply for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
If awarded, the grant money will be used to build a multi-use pedestrian path along Davids Drive up to Lynn Lane.
“TAP provides funds to local governments through ODOT for projects that enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of a city,” stated the resolution.
Shidaker told the council this pathway is a “piece of the puzzle” for the Davids Drive project they have been working on. Shidaker said they were asking for $1.1 million and the grant is for $1 million, making it an over 95% match.
They’ve already secured $2 million in grant money for the first phase of the extensive Davids Drive project and over $660,000 in grant money from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Planning for this project dates back to 2019 when it was first brought to the city council. In 2020, Shidaker told the council the first of three phases of construction would begin in 2023.
The first phase would start on the south side close to the Southern State Community College property. Phase two would lead them beyond Fife Avenue. Phase three would finish up the rest of the road.
Councilmember Matt Purkey asked if the path would become a part of the project if the grant doesn’t come through. Shidaker indicated that would be discussed later, as he wants to first apply for it.
Also during council:
• Denise Stryker and Tom Albanese of the Clinton County Coalition on Homelessness spoke to council about their coordinated community plan to prevent and to end homelessness in Clinton County.
Council made a motion to give their support to the coalition and their plan.
The Coalition was established in January 2021 to develop, promote, and support a county collaborative of stakeholders who, together, work to reduce and prevent homelessness here. Homeward is the new coordinated, community plan for making sure everyone has a safe and stable home in Clinton County, particularly people experiencing homelessness or who face housing instability and the threat of homelessness.
