MANSFIELD — It’s always a busy year for City of Mansfield engineer Bob Bianchi.
The coming year looks to be no different as Bianchi presented three upcoming projects to Mansfield City Council on Tuesday evening — each of which was unanimously approved.
Estimated to begin in March 2025, approximately 4,315 feet — nearly a mile — of concrete walkways will be installed at Mansfield’s King Street and Johns parks. Accessible curb ramps will be installed at pedestrian access points along the roadway.
In addition to the perimeter walking paths, a basketball court will also be installed at King Street Park.
The project is estimated to cost $570,000 and will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Design and inspection work are being completed in-house, which Bianchi said is saving about $80,000.
Construction is estimated to begin in March 2025 and conclude four months later.
Bianchi said this project was inspired by the Mansfield City Parks master plan, largely King Street Park.
“We looked at Johns Park as well…it entirely lends itself to be a park where a perimeter path would be very beneficial linking the assets of that park,” he said Tuesday.
Fifth Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz said the project will resonate with residents in Mansfield’s north end.
“This is going to mean a lot to not just the residents of that area, but we bring a lot of folks to these parks as well. I’m very excited that you guys are investing in this area,” he said.
(Below is a visual of a project City of Mansfield engineer Bob Bianchi presented to council Tuesday evening.)
Pedestrian bridge planned for Middle Park
The second project Bianchi presented involves a pedestrian bridge set to be constructed at Mansfield’s Middle Park.
Estimated to cost $250,000, Bianchi said the bridge will be similar in size and design to the pedestrian bridge at North Lake Park. Funds from the City Parks and Recreation Department, along with ARPA dollars, will cover the cost of the project.
Construction is set to begin at the start of 2025 and conclude around June 2025.
“Right now, there’s nothing there,” Bianchi said of the bridge’s future location. “This will be a pedestrian bridge — six-foot wide. It will allow for passage.
“A lot of students cross that ravine right now and then go up the steps to Morningside Drive and Third Street, so this will be beneficial to them as well.”
Diaz and At-large Councilwoman Shari Robertson presented questions regarding how the city will address safety around the bridge.
“Security is something that we are looking at in all the parks,” said Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry. “Key to that is having the WiFi or fiber connections. We’ve had some good conversations both with security providers as well as the internet providers.”
(Below is a visual of a project City of Mansfield engineer Bob Bianchi presented to council Tuesday evening.)
City taking steps to address northwest land use
Council’s approval of Bianchi’s third project authorizes Louis Andres, the city’s public works director, to enter into a contract with a qualified engineering firm for the development of a future land use plan and utility extension plan.
The area of focus for the project is property at or near the Airport Industrial Parks.
Detailed below, the project’s approach centers around seven areas; perform existing conditions analysis, stakeholder engagement, provide recommendations, water/sewer capacity analysis, prepare construction plans, market the area and find funding.
Bianchi said through sitting in economic development meetings, he’s learned growth opportunities shrink when communities don’t have utilities on-site at potential locations of new business.
“You can have the highway right next to it. You can have the best workforce available,” he said. “But if there’s not utilities and resources for them to do their business, you’re off the table.
“The goal here is how do we bring the best economic potential to what we think is the best area for future economic growth in the industrial area.”
The project will extend water and sewer lines to the city’s north/northwest corner near the Airport Industrial Parks. Bianchi said the project’s proposed waterline will loop, which allows the line to have a greater capacity.
Project costs are estimated to be $750,000, with ARPA dollars as the funding source. The timeline for work spans from January 2025 to December 2026.
EMH&T, a civil engineering design firm in Columbus, will be the project’s consultant.
In other action Tuesday, City Council:
— authorized Perry to submit an Amended Annual Action Plan for PY 2024 indicating proposed uses for the city’s 2024 HOME Investment Partnership Program funds to award the Domestic Violence Shelter Tenant Based Rental Assistance funding in the amount of $142,791.01.
— authorized an Addendum to the Professional Services Contract with Medicount Management, Inc., which will add revenue enhancement services for the Ambulance Supplemental Payment Program.
— appropriated $123,000 from the unappropriated Workers’ Compensation Fund to the Workers’ Compensation Non-Departmental Operations Contractual Services Classification for the purpose of increasing the budget to pay the 2025 premium payment due in 2024.
— approved temporary annual appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Mansfield for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
— authorized City of Mansfield Safety Service Director Keith Porch to advertise for bids and enter into a contract or contracts for tornado sirens.
— authorized an agreement with the Richland Community Development Group Inc., in the amount of $100,000 to provide economic development services for a one-year period.
— approved the expenditure of $55,000 in ARPA funds for lighting for the multi-use path tunnel.
MORE REPORTING FROM TUESDAY’S CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mansfield Council approves $500K in ARPA funds for Wayfinders shelter relocation
Members of Mansfield City Council voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of awarding Wayfinders $500,000 of the city’s remaining ARPA funds.
