WATERVILLE – By the end of this week, Waterville should know whether Gov. Mike DeWine will extend a one-year pause on demolition of the historic Roche de Boeuf Interurban bridge, Mayor Tim Pedro told Waterville City Council during its March 9 meeting.
“We’re not going to save the bridge if we don’t get more time,” said Pedro, who spoke to the governor for about 15 minutes on March 5.
DeWine was familiar with the project, as Pedro secured a one-year stay on the Ohio Department of Transportation’s demolition plans on April 8, 2025. With that year almost up, ODOT has already put the project out for bids, and on Monday, ODOT representatives were on site getting drone footage and photos.
During the year pause, the Save The Bridge Association (STBA) has been seeking alternatives to demolition. No matter what other construction options are available to preserve, stabilize or rehabilitate the bridge, one thing remains clear: the state no longer wants to maintain ownership of the bridge.
STBA member Barb Bruno, along with fellow volunteers Janice Braida, Frank Butwin, John Wasserman and Dave Weber, pleaded with Council to consider taking over administration of the bridge, either alone or in a consortium with other interested parties. ODOT could transfer the estimated $4 million in funds set aside for demolition to any entity that would assume administrative ownership, Bruno said.
“That’s why we need a delay – to work out the details,” Bruno said.
The STBA recently spoke with Metroparks Executive Director Dave Zenk, and Bruno believes more time would allow further conversations to see if Wood County Metroparks, the City of Waterville and other entities could work together on a plan to stabilize the bridge so it is safe. Bruno asked council to agree to be a part of that consortium.
Weber provided council with an estimate of costs to mothball or preserve the bridge to keep it safe, but council member Wayne Wagner said he wasn’t comfortable with making such a huge decision involving taxpayer dollars based on an estimate.
“I can give out estimates all day long, but it’s the contract that matters,” said Wagner, who owns a construction business. “If you want me to say yes on ownership, I need a firm price.”
Several council members cited concerns about investing taxpayer dollars into a bridge that might collapse while work is done on it. If one span falls, the others could collapse in a domino effect.
“You’ve got to address the risk for me,” Wagner said.
Wagner also wondered how the city could afford, or even find a company, to insure the bridge. Back in the 1970s when the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a group attempted to insure it. In the past few years, Council Member Mary Duncan said she’s called multiple companies, and none would offer to insure it at any price.
“I think that as a city, we have supported the effort as much as we can at this point. I really hope the governor gives us another year. That would really help the situation,” Duncan said.
Council members Scott Jahns, Todd Borowski, Nick Sargent and Rod Frey all shared concerns about using taxpayer dollars on the bridge.
“I would love to see the bridge saved, but ODOT wants to get rid of it because they want to be rid of the liability,” Frey said.
“We all have an obligation to protect the citizens’ money. Taking on liability is not the best way to risk tax dollars,” Borowski said.
IF the STBA could return with a contract from a major company, and show the ability to insure the bridge, city council might reconsider, Wagner said.
While disheartened, Braida said STBA members will continue to promote their efforts in the community, hanging up banners around town and selling T-shirts through JupMode to raise funds for the nonprofit.
“We want to create a sense of urgency,” she said of the recent outreach to residents and the media.
“Everywhere you look, the bridge is embedded in our in our identity,” Bruno said. “We’re really close now. When it’s gone, it’s gone. But I still believe there’s hope.”
During the meeting, council also:
-Congratulated the Anthony Wayne High School cheerleading team for winning both the Ohio High School Athletic Association state championship and the America’s Cheerleading Cup Game Day competition. Pedro issued a proclamation recognizing the team.
-Heard that the Historic District Commission approved a conceptual drawing for an 18-foot-by-7-foot mural that Dean Davis will paint on the wall of a business on Mechanic Street to welcome those entering town from the bridge.
-Approved renewing its electric aggregation contract through the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC) at a rate of 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour, which will go into effect in June. That’s an increase of about 1 percent over the current rate of 9.75 kw/h. The contract is for 25 months.
-Heard that Administrator Jon Gochenour has sent out requests for proposals from current waste provider Republic Services, along with ARS, Klumm, Rumpke and Stevens Disposal.
-Listened to Duncan say that she received an email from First Energy representative Victor Coleman about her request to fix street lights that are not working. Instead of fixing those lights, First Energy will replace them with LED lights this summer, using new poles as well.
-Heard Pedro say that he is meeting with downtown business owners on Wednesday, March 25 at 8:30 a.m. to discuss initiatives for working together and funding for improvements.
-Learned that Bob Miller Interiors is moving to Mechanic Street downtown just south of the old Valero gas station.
-Approved Pedro’s recommendations for committee assignments, including: Jeff Lohse, Riverbend Industrial Park Committee; John Rozic, Finance Committee; Beth Sikorski, Public Safety Committee; and Karen Eboch, Parks and Recreation Committee. Wagner nominated Terri Massucci to also serve on the Parks and Recreation Committee, for which Wagner serves as council representative. But Pedro said he spoke to Massucci about how the position was taken by Eboch. After much discussion, council voted to table Wagner’s nomination of Massucci until the March 23 meeting.
-Awarded a $44,929 contract with Bauman Ford for a 2026 Ford Explorer. This is replacing a police vehicle that will be transferred to the Public Works Department.
-Awarded a $49,985 contract to Atlantic Emergency Solutions for fire turnout gear.
