Funds sought to replace retaining wall

FINDLAY — State grant money is being sought to replace a cracked retaining wall near the Main Street bridge. In a letter to Findlay City Council dated May 13, City Engineer Jeremy Kalb said the wall must be replaced to ensure the walking path and parking lot near the bridge are properly supported. The letter was included in council's packet for its regular meeting on Tuesday. Kalb described the cracking as "severe." The stone retaining wall was constructed in 1999. It is located on the southeast side of the Main Street bridge crossing the Blanchard River. Council rushed through legislation on Tuesday to authorize Mayor Christina Muryn to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for critical infrastructure from the state of Ohio to replace the retaining wall. The grant will be administered through the Hancock Regional Planning Commission. The legislation, which was first introduced to council on Tuesday, also authorized city officials to execute an agreement to receive the grant funds, if awarded. The vote was 9-0, with Councilman Brian Bauman, R-5, absent from Tuesday's meeting. A CDBG from the state of Ohio refers to the portion of federal funds that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates to the state. The Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development, administers the funds in the state. The funds are awarded primarily for projects that benefit low- and moderate-income people, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet urgent health or welfare needs in a community, where other funding isn't available. The estimated cost of replacing the wall with new concrete block is about $450,000, Kalb said. The CDBG for critical infrastructure does not require the city to match funds for projects with a cost of under $500,000. Kalb said Findlay has been awarded up to $500,000 for past critical infrastructure projects. The grant deadline is June 11.