AUG-Wapakoneta Riverscape

PID 102167

The City of Wapakoneta proposes to undertake enhancements activities along the Auglaize

River, between Harrison Street and Blackhoof Street. The project is intended to enhance the

river corridor, including Belcher and Heritage Parks, for all users. The project will include the

following improvements:

The existing multi-use path within Belcher Park will be reconfigured and extended to

provide a connection between Harrison Street and Blackhoof Street.

A new multi-use trail will be constructed through Heritage Park, providing a connection

between Harrison Street and Blackhoof Street. Decorative hand railing will separate the

trail from the river wall.

Heritage Park will be expanded to offer additional greenspace and walking paths.

A shelter house with restrooms will be constructed within Heritage Park.

The existing picnic shelters will be refurbished for re-installation within Belcher Park.

Both parks will be enhanced with benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, landscaping, and

interpretive signage.

Heritage Drive will be upgraded by installing new curb & gutter, storm sewer, and

decorative lighting with banner arms.

A decorative archway will be provided at the Blackhoof Street entrance to Heritage

Drive.

The project is located along the Auglaize River, between the City’s downtown commercial

district and residential housing along Harrison and River Streets. Within the project area,

minorities represent 13% of the population and individuals in poverty represent 28% of the

population.

The majority of the project will be undertaken on lands owned and controlled by the City of

Wapakoneta. The project will require approximately 0.04-acre of permanent right-of-way and

0.04-acre of temporary right-of-way from private owners along the corridor.

The project is expected to require two years for construction, beginning in early 2019 and

concluding in the fall of 2020. The project will require the temporary detour of Heritage Drive.

Access to the parking areas south of Heritage Drive will be maintained through the staged

reconstruction of Heritage Drive.

As detailed above, the project will include enhancements to Belcher and Heritage Parks, which

are protected resources under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966.

Both parks will experience temporary disruption to allow for the proposed improvements.

Construction activities will be phased, to ensure portions of both parks are accessible to the

public throughout construction. The project will not alter the City’s underlying fee ownership or

management authority of the parks. Due to construction activities, the project is considered to

have a de minimis impact to these recreational resources.

There are no National Historic Landmarks within the project area. The project is located

adjacent to the Wapakoneta Commercial District, included on the National Register of Historic

Places. The project will not encroach on the historic district’s boundaries.

Ohio Historic Inventory forms have been completed for multiple properties adjacent to the

project limits (most within the historic district). The project is expected to require minor right-of-

way (0.018-acre temporary and 0.017-acre permanent) from the property at 48 E. Auglaize (OHI

AUG01333303), from a portion of the property located outside of the established boundary of

the historic district. The project will also include work on land previously occupied by the Boy

Scout’s log cabin (OHI AUG0169803); this building is no longer extant.

The project will include minor work below the ordinary high water mark to allow for the closure

of two stairwells in the river wall. The project will otherwise not require instream work. There

are no wetlands within the project construction limits. The project will require the removal of

approximately 15 trees, two of which may offer roost habitat for the Indiana bat and northern

long-eared bat. The project will include work within the designated special flood hazard area

and floodway associated with the Auglaize River; the project has been determined to result in no

net rise in the base flood elevation. .

The project will be constructed with federal (Transportation Enhancement) and local funding.

Environmental clearance is scheduled for 06/03/2017. The anticipated award date is 01/01/2019.

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AUGLAIZE COUNTYUnincorporated Places

Airports

Interstate Routes

Proposed Interstate Routes

U S Routes

Proposed U S Routes

State Routes

Proposed State Routes

County Roads

County Sub Division Streets

Proposed County Roads

County Roads (Right of Way only)

Township Roads

Township Sub Division Streets

Proposed Township Roads

Township Roads (Right of Way only)

Municipal Streets

Railroads

County Boundary

City Boundary

Township Boundary

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Revised: April - 2015

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AUG-Wapak RiverscapePID 102167

Wapakoneta, Ohio Quadrangle

4f and 6f ResourcesAUG-Wapak Riverscape

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Riverscape Project A U G - W A P A K R I V E R S C A P E , P I D 1 0 2 1 6 7

What is the project?

The City of Wapakoneta has proposed a project to construct and beautify Herit-age Drive (the area behind downtown) and the north bank of the Auglaize River from Blackhoof St to Harrison St. This project includes but is not limited to the installation of new water lines, new sanitary lines, new pavement, new side-walks, curb and gutters, curb lawns, tree planting, light pole fixtures, pavement markings, shelter house (Gazebo) with restrooms, interpretive signage, river wall enhancement, and landscaping.

The project will provide improved pedestrian access along both banks of the Auglaize River within the downtown area. The project will also better define Heritage Drive and Heritage Park, for improved aesthetics. Interpretive signage and new park amenities will promote community pride and encourage tourism.

How is this project funded?

The estimate project cost is approximately $2.34-million. Of this, federal Trans-portation Enhancement funds will cover up to approximately $1.56-million. The remainder will be paid for through local funds.

What acquisition is required for the project?

The project will require minor temporary (approximately 0.4-acre) and permanent (approximately 0.4-acre)

acquisition from three private properties along Heritage Drive. Affected property owners will be contact-

ed at a later date to discuss the right-of-way needs, the acquisition process, and property owner rights un-

der the process.

Most of the project will occur on publicly-owned lands. In some areas, this land will need to be dedicated

as public right-of-way, there will be no change in the underlying land ownership.

How will the project affect parking?

The paved area north of Heritage Drive will be incorporated into Her-itage Park. However, this area is not currently designated for park-ing. New designated parking will be provided adjacent to Heritage Park, east of Heritage Drive.

Will the project include work in the Wapakoneta Commercial District, included on the Nation-al Register of Historic Places?

The project will not encroach on the recognized boundary of the Historic District. The project is not expected to adversely affect this important community resource.

How will the project affect Belcher and Heritage Parks?

The project will provide enhance-ments to both parks. Limited access to Belcher Park will be maintained during construction of the new trail. Heritage Park will be redeveloped in phases, so that park space remains open to the public throughout construction, including at least one shelter house at all times. The project is considered to meet the standard of “de minimis” impact to recreational resources.

What types of amenities will be provid-ed?

The centerpiece of the redevelopment is the new shelterhouse. The shelterhouse is cur-rently in design, but will offer restrooms and a fireplace.

An entryway archway off Blackhoof Street, similar to that at the Alley Parkway.

In addition to new walking trail and sidewalks throughout both parks, new benches and a water fountain will be installed at various loca-tions. The existing picnic tables, which are in good condition, will be reused. A variety of plantings (trees and bushes) will be provided throughout the project area.

The image to the right depicts the proposed light poles and railing.

Interpretive signage has not yet been devel-oped, but will be designed to complement the historic character of the neighborhood.

Preliminary Shelter House Design

Arch at Alley Parkway

City of Wapakoneta Engineering Department 102 Perry Street P.O. Box 269

Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895 Phone: (419) 738 - 5596 Fax: (419) 738 - 0540

www.wapakoneta.net

Questions or Comments?

Contact Us!

City of Wapakoneta:

Mary Ruck

Zoning & Engineering Superintendent

Phone: 419-738-5596

Email: mruck@wapakoneta.net

City of Wapakoneta Engineer

102 Perry Street, PO Box 269

Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895

ODOT :

Tricia Bishop

District Environmental Coordinator

Phone: 937-497-6721

Email: tricia.bishop@dot.ohio.gov

ODOT District 7

1001 St. Marys Avenue

Sidney, Ohio 45365

What is the schedule for the project?

The project is currently in preliminary design. Final plans are expected to be completed in September 2018.

Based on the current sched-ule, the project will be awarded to a contractor for construction in January 2019.

The project is expected to begin in early 2019 and to be completed in the fall of 2010.

Will the project include river work?

Work within the Auglaize River will be limited to filling

of two existing stairwells within the river wall. Bank

improvements along the north bank of the river will

not extend below the ordinary high water mark. The

project has been designed to result in no net fill with-

in the floodway and will not increase the risk of flood-

ing.

The environmental review, consulta-tion and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated 12/11/2015, and executed by