WATERVILLE – “We are still in the fight,” Save The Bridge Association member Barb Bruno announced to Waterville City Council during its Feb. 23 meeting.
Flanked by fellow STBA members Janice Braida, Frank Butwin and Dave Weber, Bruno said the group wants the public to know that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans to seek bids for the demolition of the 118-year-old Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge this spring.
Last year, ODOT was about to go out for bids when Gov. Mike DeWine issued a one-year reprieve so that STBA could research other options. That year ends in early April, and STBA wants Waterville City Council and Mayor Tim Pedro to contact DeWine to ask for another year.
“We were charged a year ago with finding an alternative. That’s a monumental task,” Bruno said. “We’ve done a good job of searching out every viable option possible. The latest one is pushing for another pause, because maybe the state can maintain ownership and someone else can be the administrator.”
If the city, ODOT or Metroparks would be willing to serve as administrator for the state-owned bridge, they could qualify for federal funding to at least preserve the bridge.
“Is the city willing to go to ODOT and say we will be willing to be administrator? That would give us $5 million to put in the bank,” Weber said. “We’re at crunch time now. You don’t want to wait until they send out for quotes to demolish the bridge. Can council tonight step forward and propose a resolution to vote on it so we know?”
Council has been fully supportive from day one, Pedro said, but he believes it would be premature to vote on a resolution to have the city serve as administrator.
“I think the law director would have to do some research and let things shake out a little bit,” Pedro said. “We need to have details and do some research for a meeting or two. We just can’t make a decision tonight.”
Weber pushed back at Pedro, pointing out that STBA asked three weeks ago for the mayor to call the governor, and wondered why it hadn’t taken place yet.
“We’re down to weeks. There are going to be bulldozers rolling in here really soon,” Weber said.
But Pedro said he planned to call soon, just as he did last year- a move that garnered the one-year extension.
Braida said she appreciated the efforts by council and the mayor to do what’s best for Waterville, but urged the council members to use their influence to save what she calls an iconic site.
“We’ve been given the opportunity to save the bridge. Local history is the foundation of community identity. When you think of sites in Waterville, the first one is the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge. The second is the Columbian House. These are treasures we have here, that contribute to our uniqueness. We’re begging for it not to be torn down.”
During the meeting, council also:
-Approved a $40,000 with Pyrotecnico to provide fireworks for the Saturday, July 4 Independence Day celebration at Prairie Trail Park and Waterville Primary School. This is an increase from last year’s $27,349 price, to ensure a larger display for America’s 250th anniversary. The rain date is Sunday, July 5.
-Listened to Michelle Smith, executive director of the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce, detail plans for upcoming events, including the Saturday, March 21 A Toast to America 250 Wine, Bourbon and Fine Art Auction at Nazareth Hall. Tickets are on sale at watervillechamber.com through Friday, March 6.
-Heard resident Terri Massucci share plans for the Saturday, March 28 Easter Egg Hunt at Conrad Park. Donuts, coffee and hot cocoa will be served at 10 a.m. The Easter bunny arrives in time for the 11 a.m. hunt, which will have four age levels (0-3, 4-6, 6-9 and 10+) with 1,000 eggs per level. Some eggs will have prize tickets. An adult basket raffle will benefit Hooves Equine Therapy. A scavenger hunt, in which families can look for giant eggs in area business windows, will take place in the weeks leading up to the hunt. Forms are available at the Waterville Library.
-Welcomed Scott Sands, northwest Ohio liaison for Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, who delivered a certificate recognizing the city for excellence in accountability to taxpayers. He thanked finance director Tiffany Bachman, Administrator Jon Gochenour and the finance staff for their work.
-Heard that an updated city website should be ready this week.
-Checked out the new e-bike that the police department will use on shared use paths and other areas of town. Police Chief Joe Valvano said trained bike officers will use the bike at community events and speak to youth about proper usage in town.
-Heard an update on how the city is seeking information during a six-month moratorium on data centers. Pedro said several house bills related to data centers are pending in the Statehouse.
-Congratulated Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley, a Waterville resident who was named Engineer of the Year for 2026.
-Approved a $356,000 contract with Berglund Construction Company to improve the exterior of the 25-year-old fire station, including brick replacement, acid cleaning, roof panel and gutter replacement and other repairs.
-Awarded a $339,071 contract with DGL Consulting Engineers to perform construction engineering services for the Waterville Monclova Road widening improvement project. This includes $32,831 for TTL Engineering Services to do construction testing services. Pedro abstained as he is a consultant who formerly worked for TTL.
-Approved a contract with Green Meadow Acres LLC of Perrysburg to lease 100 acres of city-owned agricultural land at 6730 and 6824 Anthony Wayne Trail for $337 per acre.
