Park plans meet with public pushback

FINDLAY — Efforts to advance planning for Findlay's proposed downtown recreation area are meeting with public pushback. Legislation that would appropriate the additional $4 million needed to finish design and engineering work was introduced to Findlay City Council during its regular session on Tuesday. The amount would bring the total design bill to over $5.5 million, a figure that's enough to "raise eyebrows," said 3rd Ward resident Patricia Klein. She made an unsuccessful bid in May's Republican primary to represent the 3rd Ward. Klein said she spoke with many residents during her campaign who said the park is too expensive. She said the community is "absolutely concerned about the cost and the environmental risk," and asked that the legislation be referred to committee by council so that a "more reasonable plan" can be worked out. Klein was one of four residents to address council about the park. A motion by Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, to refer the legislation to the Appropriations Committee died for lack of a second at Tuesday's meeting. The recreation area would cost between $30.4 and $37.8 million in 2027 dollars, according to the initial design work. In December 2023, Findlay City Council voted to appropriate $1.5 million to contract with Strand & Associates, Inc., Columbus, to begin the design. Known as the "Downtown North River Development Project," the park will cover approximately 19 acres on the north side of the Blanchard River, stretching from the river north to Clinton Court, with Cory Street as its western boundary and ending at the railroad tracks to the east. There will also be enhancements to the south bank of the river. All amenities will be designed to withstand flooding. The project is part of the larger "benching" project along the Blanchard River, meant to increase the river's capacity during floods. Work is expected to begin on the final three major flood mitigation projects in 2025. The city could break ground on the recreation area by 2027. The Hancock County Board of Commissioners is overseeing the benching project. The commissioners have awarded a contract to Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., Toledo (CEC), to perform the necessary evaluation and mitigation work. That's the same company the city hired in 2023 to perform an independent review of the environmental conditions along the riverfront. The review showed contamination present throughout the property. The contract with CEC will clean the area to a commercial standard for parks and open space, according to Mayor Christina Muryn. She has said it is a "perfectly appropriate standard." However, on Tuesday, City Auditor Jim Staschiak said Findlay should consider paying the difference to elevate the standard to a residential level. He said it seems like a small price to pay "in light of the things we have spent money on." He said the city has no environmental liability insurance. Earlier this month, Frische accused officials of taking "the cheaper route." Frische has been pushing city officials to work with the commissioners to elevate environmental remediation along the next set of river benching to a "residential, high child-exposure standard," which would come with nearly twice the price tag. Councilman-elect Dan DeLong, R-7, also addressed council on Tuesday. He said council should delay its vote. A citizen initiative petition, filed on June 5 with the city of Findlay, is currently being circulated. If successful, the initiative would force the issue onto the November ballot. DeLong said council should delay action until the outcome of the initiative is known.