MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council on Dec. 21 is expected to accept a total of $62,287 in donations and grants to assist with the West End Neighborhood Plan project.
The plan, created by EDGE Landscape, Architecture, Urban Design and Planning, is aimed at improving an area whose geographic boundaries are generally Marion Avenue/Park Avenue West to the west and north; South Main Street to the east; and Glessner Avenue to the south.
The first phase of the project, with an estimated construction cost of $905,000, will improve Glessner Avenue between Wood Street and Sturges and Arthur avenues.
The bulk of the money for the project is coming via federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
On Dec. 21, the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce will provide a $21,000 donation via funds solicited by Chuck Hahn, owner of the Cleveland Financial Group in Mansfield, money received through the Richland Community Development Group.
Hahn has been instrumental in the effort, helping the city form an advisory group to work on the project in 2020.
The Richland County Foundation is also awarding a $41,287 grant though its Gorman Fund, an award made at the recommendation of James C. Gorman.
The funding helps to fill any remaining gaps needed before construction bids are solicited, according to Adrian Ackerman, the city’s community development & housing director.
She said she hopes to have a contractor in place by February and ready to begin work when the weather improves in the spring.
“I am definitely ready to see the project get started,” Ackerman said. “It has been a long time in the making.
“It will be great to get phase one off the ground and having some momentum going forward to continue.”
The first phase will update and upgrade sidewalks, install new street lighting and improved/update crosswalks (including ADA-compliant curb ramps), as well as retaining walls and more decorative elements such as tree lawns and other beautification efforts.
Streets in the area include sections of West Second Street, West First Street, Columbia Avenue, Arthur Avenue, Blymyer Avenue, Wood Street, Carpenter Road, Lind Avenue, Vennum Avenue, Poplar Street and Bartley Avenue.
While not specifically outlined in the Mansfield Rising plan, the improvements are in keeping with the principles of the downtown revitalization program already underway.
The plan focuses specifically on the public right-of-way of the streets within the West End neighborhood, which “will allow the city to align and prioritize potential funding opportunities toward the most impactful improvement projects.”
The West End Neighborhood Plan was initiated in April 2020. An advisory group was established with representatives from the City of Mansfield, the Richland County Land Bank and the Richland Community Development Group, as well as private citizens.
The project is divided into two parts — a long-term blueprint on improving each street in the neighborhood and also a specific plan for Glessner Avenue.
