Rossford City Council is investigating options for the former Indian Hills Elementary site, now owned by the city, given its historic classification.

Councilman Robert Ruse said 38 acres of the property were placed on the National Register of Historical Places.

“The State Historical Preservation Office is involved,” he noted, adding that state review and permitting is required.

“There are a lot of questions. It is important to understand what we can do with the site, but depending on the development, the restrictions change.”

Known as a Section 106 review, the process is to ensure that there will be an opportunity to consider the possible effects of the project on historic properties before work is authorized to begin.

Council’s public works committee recently met with Bill Burkett of Klumm Bros., who reviewed the process.

The committee is now asking “do you define a potential use and go through the process? Or do you do a study of the entire 38 acres for potential uses, knowing that whatever use is selected, that would have to go through the permit process?” Mr. Ruse explained.

“And reviewing the entire 38 acres for potential [historic preservation] uses would be extremely expensive.”

Mr. Burkett could not even provide the committee with a cost, he said.

Committee members could not reach a conclusion on what action the city should take for the land.

Councilman Bob Densic made a motion to list the property for sale, but it did not receive a second.

They decided to refer the issue to council’s facilities committee for more review and comment.

Several other major infrastructure projects were reviewed by the public works committee at meetings in May and June.

Crossroads Parkway roundabouts–the DGL engineering firm presented a traffic simulation of a proposed roundabout at Sportsman’s Drive.

The $1.5 million project would require multiple funding sources from the city and tax increment financing (TIF) revenue.

“The committee asked, why not have a roundabout constructed as part of the Deimling Road project?” Councilman Ruse said.

The committee recommended that a traffic corridor study be done for the entire length of the parkway. If a roundabout is deemed necessary at Deimling, Mr. Ruse said, it should be included in that upcoming road and sewer project.

Streetlight conversion to LED–all streetlights in Rossford have been changed over, according to Councilman Ruse.

The only exceptions are some city-owned lights in the parks and historic lights in Eagle Point Colony.

“Acorn tops are ordered for the Colony,” he added.

The city will continue the streetlight assessment of property owners this year to complete the LED conversions and to pay for the decorative lighting along State Route 65 from Rite Aid to the Lime City Road roundabout.

Traffic pattern in downtown–Councilman Greg Marquette asked if traffic on Route 65 could be changed to one lane in both directions with angle parking.

Todd Audet, city engineer and economic development director, replied, “there is plenty of right-of-way there. I don’t see why not.”

Pointing out the recent congestion following Maumee’s reduction of lanes on Conant Street, Councilman Jerry Staczek cautioned about making a change.

“They [Maumee] are diverting traffic through residential neighborhoods,” he said.

Mr. Audet said vehicles in the two cities should not be compared because “the traffic here is different.”

He pointed out that the Maumee-Perrysburg bridge is “a main crossing for freight.”

Mr. Audet said a study could be done for Route 65 if council is interested in learning more.

Jennings Road reconstruction–Mr. Audet presented a proposal for the Jennings Road street improvement project.

The cost for engineering services is $239,900, and construction costs are estimated at $3 million.

Councilman Densic said the committee discussed how reducing the scope of work would allow the project to be done at a reduced expense.

Mayor Neil MacKinnon told council he prefers to see curbs, gutters and sidewalks for all roads.

“This is a 50- to 75-year decision. We have an opportunity to do it right, from the beginning. That means curbs and sidewalks,” the mayor said. “I’m vetoing anything that doesn’t have that.”