More study of riverfront recommended

Consultants hired by the city of Findlay to further review environmental conditions along the riverfront in the downtown have recommended areas needing more in-depth studies, known as "Phase II" environmental. A total of 67 soil borings must still be collected from the area by Civil Environmental Consultants, Inc., Pittsburgh. A total of $20,027 has been paid to the company for the Phase II studies. In all, council has earmarked $100,000 for the complete review from the city's American Rescue Plan Act funds. Mayor Christina Muryn updated council on the status of the environmental review at its regular meeting on Wednesday. "As was expected, the Phase I reports identified parcels where additional study was recommended. Currently, the Phase II environmental studies are underway and are expected to be complete by the end of November/early December," said Muryn in a letter to council dated Oct. 31. Muryn said she will schedule a committee meeting with council to review the results of the Phase II studies as soon as they are available. Legislation that would transfer the properties' ownership to the city and pay for the initial design of the proposed downtown recreation area has been tabled by council pending the results of the studies. Legislation introduced to council during an election year, including the tabled legislation, sunsets on Dec. 31, with new members to be seated in January. "As a reminder, a variety of environmental studies have been done on these properties over the years, and the city is aware of a number of RECs (reported environmental conditions). These RECs will largely be addressed by the Phase 2 benching work which is expected to begin next spring, but out of an abundance of caution a more thorough environmental review is in process," Muryn said. According to the records, concerns with the property include "abandoned/orphaned tanks, drums and household hazardous waste associated with debris from the flood of August 2007." There also is the potential for contamination from businesses once located in the benching area, including a dry cleaner, junkyard, gas station and machine shop. On May 16, council voted to table legislation transferring ownership of 89 properties acquired for flood mitigation from the Hancock County Board of Commissioners to the city. Then on Aug. 15, council voted to table legislation authorizing city administrators to enter into a contract with Strand & Associates, Inc., Columbus, to begin design and engineering services for the downtown recreation area, and appropriating $1.5 million for the work. Both pieces of legislation were tabled on their third reading, just prior to a vote by council. Concerns about environmental liabilities halted the transfer of the properties and the initial design of the park. The land will be used for the construction of a second set of river benches in Findlay's downtown. The benches will be built along the north side of the river, from the Main Street bridge to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway overpass at East Main Cross Street. It includes property on North Main Street, Clinton Court, Jefferson Street, Taylor Street, Meeks Avenue, Meeks Court and North Cory Street, which could eventually be used for the proposed downtown recreation area. Findlay has already taken ownership of the land included in the first round of benching. The benches are meant to increase the river's capacity during floods. The first set, a $6.1-million project, cut benches into the north riverbank for about 3,500 feet between the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge and Broad Avenue. Should construction of the downtown recreation area move forward, engineering fees for the full design are expected to be about $4 million. Early estimates put the cost of the park somewhere between $10 million and $40 million. A price tag of about $30 million was discussed most recently. Findlay's investment is expected to be about $10 million, with grants and donations making up the balance, Muryn has said. In August, council voted to remove emergency language from the design legislation to allow for a possible citizens' referendum on the decision. Legislation approved with emergency language, which is routinely used by council, becomes city law upon the mayor's signature. It removes a 30-day stay that allows for a referendum to be declared on council's actions. With public opinion on the park mixed, council has also debated putting the proposal on the ballot for a citywide vote. Legislation transferring the flood mitigation properties still includes emergency language. Known as the "Downtown North River Development Project," the recreation area would be designed to exist within the Blanchard River's flood zone and would include a skate park, gardens, shelter houses, picnic areas, a playable fountain area and an amphitheater, based on initial designs. More information about the development project, including a full business case proposal, is available on the city's website at www.findlayohio.gov Editor's Note: This story has been corrected. An earlier version of the story reported that the additional 67 soil borings for Phase II had already been collected.