Western Ave. sewer project back on track

FINDLAY — Legislation to contract for the repair of a collapsed sewer line on Western Avenue was rushed through by Findlay City Council at its regular meeting earlier this month. The project involves the replacement of the sanitary sewer on Western Avenue between Washington Street and Findlay Street. The goal is to repair the line and clear the area, or be close to finishing, before Findlay City Schools open for the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 14. Findlay High School, 1200 Broad Ave., and the Millstream Career Center, 1150 Broad Ave., are located just to the north of the project area. The city had to rebid the project after the company with the lowest and best bid from a March 26 bid opening withdrew. A second bid opening was held on June 5, with two companies submitting bids. The contract will go to Helms & Sons Excavating Inc., Findlay, with the apparent low bid of $235,495. Legislation to award the contract was introduced to council at its June 17 meeting. The vote was 9-1 to suspend council's three-reading rule, with Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, opposed. The legislation was then approved 10-0. In a letter to council, dated June 11, City Engineer Jeremy Kalb said $210,000 has already been appropriated to the project by council for surveying, design and advertising. Council agreed to appropriate an additional $90,000 to the project to cover the contract cost and provide contingency funds in the June legislation. Editor's Note: This story has been corrected. An earlier version of the story incorrectly reported the date Findlay City Schools will open for the 2025-26 school year.