WATERVILLE – In a unanimous vote, Waterville City Council approved the purchase of the 118-year-old Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge on June 8.
“Heroes, all of you,” said Save the Bridge Association member Janice Braida, leading a round of applause from the audience.
The city will pay the state $1.00 to purchase of the bridge once it is stabilized – and therefore insurable. Kokosing won the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) contract to remove the bridge at a cost of $3.1 million, but after working with STBA, the city and Gov. Mike DeWine, ODOT asked Kokosing for a change order on the project. That new scope includes a partial demolition –removing the spandrel walls, fill dirt and the chunks of concrete in the river. That estimate came in around $4.2 million. Federal funds for the state to have the work done will cover up to $4.4 million.
Most of the cost is in installing a causeway and hauling out debris, said Municipal Administrator Jon Gochenour. If the bridge doesn’t collapse and is stable after the process, the city will take ownership and move on to the next step – working with STBA to raise funds to install a pedestrian and bike path on top of the remaining structure.
“We still have to work out the details of the transfer and purchase agreement,” Gochenour said of the sale.
ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley said that, while he hasn’t seen the proposed changes to the agreement, he is encouraged by the progress made.
“We understand the city’s sentiment for this historic structure and their passion to continue looking for solutions” he said. “In the last couple months, there has been renewed energy and productive conversations with the mayor and his team. The option that we are talking about today was not an option anyone explored prior to the last 60 days.”
Civil engineer Bill Vermes, who is experienced in saving historic bridges, and retired concrete contractor John Pautz II stepped in to help STBA come up with a plan. During the June 8 meeting, Vermes answered multiple questions from council members as to the condition of the bridge and potential life span of the piers and arches that would remain.
Council members Rod Frey, Scott Jahns and Wayne Wagner admitted that they all struggled with the idea of taking responsibility of the bridge, but credited what council member Nick Sargent called “the dream team” for addressing their concerns.
“As a body here, we didn’t take this lightly for our citizens. This was a tough decision,” said Jahns, who was one of several council members to tour the bridge a few weeks ago.
Wagner said he, too, was concerned about liability and funds, but in the end, the opportunity to see if the bridge can be saved – as the majority of citizens he spoke with want to happen – outweighed some of those risks.
Former mayor David Myerholtz was among the citizens to address council, and he noted that the bridge offers an opportunity to create a unique destination.
“When opportunity knocks, open the door,” Myerholtz advised council.
“Tonight is the starting point,” said Mayor Tim Pedro, referring to plans for a pedestrian and bike bridge across the exposed arches.
STBA member Rex Childers said many potential partners are waiting in the wings to take part on that project once the bridge is stable. Gochenour pointed out that it will not be a “bridge to nowhere” as the path would connect Lucas County and Farnsworth Metropark to the Slippery Elm Trail that runs along S.R. 65. The bridge purchase will include land in Wood County with access to S.R. 65.
Work on the selective demolition on the bridge is expected to start next month and wrap up in July 2027. After that, work will begin on the Roche de Boeuf Overlook and Shared Use Path Improvement Project, in which two of the existing bridge abutments – on the north and south sides of South River Road – will be used to create an overlook of the Maumee River and the Roche de Boeuf Island. The city received a $557,652 grant to cover 80 percent of the project. That will tie into efforts to raise funds to complete the pedestrian and bike bridge, Gochenour said.
During the meeting, council also:
-Listened to Jennifer Atkinson-Minni ask the city to consider lowering the speed limit on Waterville-Monclova Road between Dutch Road and Michigan Avenue. Her son was struck by a vehicle in front of the fire station, where it decreases from 45 mph to 35 mph, in May 2025, as he entered the crosswalk in front of the fire station. Atkinson-Minni believes speed was a factor. She shared aerial photos of the area over the past 7-13 years, showing the increase in the number of homes and businesses. Pedro asked staff to take a look at her request.
-Heard Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Michelle Smith ask for $9,000 to help fund this year’s Roche de Boeuf Festival, which was moved to Saturday, Sept. 19 in order to not interfere with Anthony Wayne High School’s homecoming. Other upcoming events include a Tuesday, June 16 presentation at 11:30 a.m. at Browning Masonic Community by Gochenour, who will share details on what’s happening in the city. A golf outing is slated for Friday, July 17 at Stone Ridge.
-Heard Lisa Haberstock thank those involved in adding more public art to the city, including the recent mural by Dean Davis on Mechanic Street. Jahns asked whether the city would consider lighting the mural up at night.
-Heard Terri Massucci share that 3-D printed keychains with the AW General will be hidden around the district during Family Week, which is June 28-July 5.
-Listened to Gochenour explain that the switchover for trash providers from Republic to ARS is complete, with new carts delivered and old ones picked up. He is working with ARS on a proposal to provide yard waste pickup as well.
-Heard Jahns ask about options for maintaining the roundabouts on Dutch Road – even though they are both in the township – in order to keep them weed-free.
-Approved a 15 mph speed limit on shared use paths in order to discourage reckless behavior by e-bike riders around pedestrians and joggers.
-Heard that Browning will host a celebration – open to the public – on Friday, June 26 with activities and fireworks.
-Held a first reading on the rezoning of 3.9 acres at 7551 Dutch Rd. from Planned Business Park to M-1, which reflects the current use by Duvall Woodworking. A third and final reading is set for Monday, July 27.
