16-04-2025
Geneva continues to communicate on West Main project
GENEVA — City leaders continue to work on communicating information related to the West Main Infrastructure project online and at public meetings.
Several frustrated residents attended a Monday evening council meeting, seeking information on the status of the project and sharing their concern about the condition of side streets.
The residents expressed frustration that the contractors have not been present on many recent days, but Route 20 remains blocked.
'We can't get in. We can't get out,' said Jane Rombaugh, who lives in the construction area.
She expressed concern with how to find information, and with the project seemingly on hold.
She wondered why no work is presently being done.
Geneva City Manager Jospeh Varckette said the project was expected to stop during the winter months, but the contractor was able to work for much of the time, but it is now on hold because of temperatures as it moves to a new phase.
Varckette said the next phase of the project involves de-watering, which can only be accomplished when temperatures are above 40 degrees for a number of days in a row. He said the process involves digging 16 feet deep, and six feet of that can be underwater.
He said the project is on schedule for a late September completion.
Pat Warner, who also lives in the affected area, expressed concerns about side streets that are used constantly because the Route 20 closure.
'The side roads are so bad that, at 10 miles an hour, you are in danger of breaking a shock,' she said.
Varckette said the city plans to work on the side roads once the project is over and attempting to patch the roads when feasible. He emphasized that the Route 20 project is 20 to 25 years overdue and involves the complete replacement of below-ground infrastructure.
He said the city is working on providing a format for citizens to get the most recent information online.
Varckette said information on social media is often incorrect.
'We want you to get that information from the city, not the 1,000 construction managers on social media,' Varckette said.
Penny Bowers-Schebel, owner of Formal Bridal, expressed concern that where she is located on the western side of the project on Route 20, she is unable to have direct access to the hospital, and would have to drive up to five miles to get there.
'It is 100 feet and I can't get there from my property,' she said.
Varckette said he would talk with the contractor about options before the project continues.
The city is also looking to purchase a new combination sewer/jet vac truck that Varckette and department heads say will improve operations of three departments.
The city has a chance to buy a demonstrator model of the truck at a reduced price, but still get the full, new truck warranty. The truck is also below the budgeted price of the truck, to the tune of $74,853.51 in savings, Varckette said.
He said he will review funding options for the project, and hopes council will expedite the purchase for the already budgeted item.
Geneva Wastewater Superintendent Brandon Averill provided information abut the truck, which would replace one the department has nursed through 38 years of operation.
'Manpower will be the big savings,' Averill said of the truck that can do what often takes four or five men and two or three trucks to clean a line. He said this will be helpful in cleaning the storm sewer system that has been neglected for many years and can cause flooding.
The city is working on a storm water plan that will attempt to address the long-term issues, Varckette said.
Varckette said the streetscape project is continuing, with work on Depot Street being in phase two in early spring 2026 because of stormwater infrastructure issues. He said people may see workers digging soil samples in the Depot Street parking lot and the community center lot during the next several weeks.
Varckette said the facade improvement project plans are nearing completion, and 20 businesses should soon have their project agreements.
He said the parks master plan has begun, with Behnke Landscape Architecture working on the eight-month project.
Varckette said an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant is again moving along after concerns over federal grants placed it on pause. He said the city is seeking a one-year extension because of the hold.
The city clean-up day for Waste Management customers is scheduled for May 3, with details on what can be picked up on the city website.
