To: TID Board Members
Date
: March 3, 2003Re: Director’s Report
Current Projects
The study process is proceeding. The work group met February 7 and 21 to make preparations for the Stakeholder’s meeting February 12 at 3:00 p.m. at the Liberty Township Hall, and the Public Information meeting at the same location February 26. The set of potential evaluation criteria were presented to the stakeholders on the 12th, and by consensus a group of eight criteria were selected as the basis on which to screen the alternatives. A ninth criteria was added to address safety concerns. About 40 people attended the PI meeting. The open house format provided the attendees to meet individually with hosts at each station to have their questions answered. The general response was favorable. The consultant is documenting the comments received. The next work group meeting is scheduled for March 7.
Michael A. Fox Highway
Staff is awaiting contact from ODOT as details of the state matching funds for the SR747 Phase III are being worked out within ODOT District 8. When all the provisions of this agreement are finalized, the tabled resolution returning the Fox Highway close-out amount to ODOT will be brought back for action. In connection with the December Board action to name the bridge on the Fox Highway over Maud-Hughes Road after former county engineer Bill Foster, Resolution 2003-2 has been prepared for Board action March 10. A number of support letters have been received or are in preparation from individuals who knew and worked with Bill. These will be forwarded with the resolution to our legislative delegation for formal action.
The application to OKI for the necessary federal STP funding for the SR747 Widening Project from Tylersville Road to Princeton Road was approved by OKI’s Executive Committee February 13, 2003. With the use of the ODOT commitment (see the discussion under "Michael A. Fox Highway" above), all funding necessary will be in place for the right-of-way and construction phases, with no local match necessary. The remaining unfunded items are the update of the environmental clearance and the preparation of design and right-of-way plans, and the cost of utility relocation. Staff will commence arrangements for these items shortly in meetings with West Chester and Liberty Townships. Staff has also begun the process through ODOT District 8 to program the project and establish the TID’s role in administering it.
The section of SR 747 north of the Michael A. Fox Highway has become active due to development pressures at the SR 747/Princeton Road intersection. LJB Inc. has produced preliminary cross-section plans and preliminary right-of-way plans so that the parties involved can map a course of action. Preliminary meetings with the involved parties have been conducted but the cost estimate of $1.5 million, not including right-of-way, utility relocation, and completion of the engineering, is presenting a significant challenge. Staff met with the stakeholders February 27 to begin to identify funding alternatives, and will meet again March 14.
Even though funding for this project was not obtained through OKI, interested parties continue to meet to arrange for the environmental analysis work for the entire Bypass 4 corridor. Completion of this work will position the widening project in a more favorable position to compete for future funding. Based on cost estimates obtained by the TID, it appears that resources necessary to accomplish the work are available through both the City of Fairfield and the City of Hamilton-Fairfield Township JEDD, whose board has agreed to make the JEDD income stream available for this effort. A meeting of the parties involved will be scheduled shortly to conclude arrangements. The TID anticipates seeking consultant proposals shortly thereafter. This work will include the environmental analysis for the Bobmeyer Road Extension, and will also provide the necessary documentation to seek from ODOT permission to link the Extension to SR4 Bypass.
At the December TID Board meeting, the Board authorized execution of the contract pending resolution of funding issues. It was agreed that Fairfield and Hamilton would each pay $12,000, Butler County would be approached for $12,000, and the TID itself would cover the remaining 25%. All commitments are now in place and the consultant has been authorized to commence work.
Future Projects
This project would extend existing Washington Boulevard eastward across the Great Miami River to a yet-to-be determined roadway connection. No recent activity has taken place on this proposal.
In a related matter, staff has begun arrangements for a meeting with a number of the communities in Butler County to hear a proposal from Seasongood & Mayer regarding the federal TIFIA program as a potential source of revenue for a mix of major improvements centered around the SR63 Extension proposed and under development through the Butler County Engineer’s Office.
The study group looking into development opportunities among the communities in the area of the northern section of Bypass 4 will meet again on a yet-to-be determined date. Participants include representatives from Hamilton, Fairfield, Fairfield Township, St. Clair Township, New Miami, Butler County Planning, the Butler County Engineer’s Office, the Airport, and me.