WATERVILLE – Orange is a common color in Waterville these days – and that’s a trend that will continue into next year, with construction on roadways, the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge, Meijer, Circle K and other areas either planned or currently in the works.
During the Aug. 24 Waterville City Council meeting, Administrator Jon Gochenour, Mayor Tim Pedro and Save the Bridge Association’s Rex Childers shared updates on these projects.
The Roche de Boeuf Bridge is undergoing selective demolition, with Kokosing operators carefully removing dirt from on top of the arches of the 118-year-old concrete structure. The goal is to remove the dirt and take down the falling spandrel walls in order to save the arches and piers as a base for a future pedestrian and bike bridge, Childers said.
“It’s very impressive seeing the operators take care with the scrape,” he said of the work that’s been done to four arches to date. “They’re reaching in halfway and gently pulling…they’re taking their time. It’s like ballet, seeing these guys at work.”
STBA is doing fundraising to help the city pay for studies and bridge engineers. Childers also said that Bowling Green State University departments are offering to help with grant writing, communications and other areas as STBA moves forward with plans for the path to link Lucas and Wood counties. Ohio Department of Transportation District 2 has a timelapse video with updates of the bridge project posted on its YouTube channel.
The Waterville Monclova Road widening project is progressing, with the installation of 10 residential concrete driveway approaches, concrete curb and gutter approaches and the extension of a concrete island at Farmview. This week, crews will be doing topsoil restoration and grading, with plans to begin paving and finishing asphalt driveways beginning in the next week. The project is on schedule to be completed by Oct. 5, Gochenour said.
Meijer is moving forward with the installation of two right-turn lanes between the S. Pray Boulevard store and S.R. 64, beginning after Labor Day, Gochenour reported. Work will begin on the south side of S.R. 64, with the addition of a 600-foot eastbound lane from U.S. 24 to S. Pray Blvd.
Next will be a 480-foot westbound right turn lane on the north side onto U.S. 24. Council also approved a signal agreement with Meijer to cover the design and construction of a traffic signal at the eastbound on/off ramp with U.S. 24, at a cost of $295,000. The city will undertake the work and be reimbursed by Meijer.
“Meijer is investing approximately $850,000 in this project. They are paying 100 percent of the cost of the two turn lanes,” Gochenour said. He estimates that the work will be completed by Nov. 24, depending on the weather. The Meijer store is expected to open Memorial Day weekend 2027.
Circle K has long discussed making improvements to its gas station and convenience store at 103 Anthony Wayne Trail, but “seem serious” about beginning the work now, Pedro said. They are looking at removing the diesel pump island and canopy and reconfiguring it with eight gas pumping stations and installing one diesel pump on the north side.
Also beginning soon will be the replacement or mud-jacking of 275 sidewalk panels on Fourth and Fifth streets from Farnsworth to Elm, and on Second Street between the south and north dead ends. The project will also include the replacement of 16 ADA ramps. The $98,635 project is being funded with a $90,000 grant.
During the meeting, council also:
-Heard that registration for the 20th annual, and final, fishing derby – set for Saturday, Aug. 29 – is full, with 68 children set to attend.
-Learned that the city will be hosted a pre-Roche de Boeuf party on Friday, Sept. 18, with a band – The Bridges – performing at 7 p.m. in Parker Square, where food trucks and a beer truck will be set up until 9:30 p.m. Scout Troop 101 will also be hosting a Run de Boeuf 5k and kids run sponsored by the city, scouts and Second Sole. For information, visit RunSignUp.com/RDB.
-Welcomed Jacob Hires, a Scout attending the meaning for communication merit badge. He is a student at Aerospace & Natural Science Academy of Toledo (ANSAT) at Toledo Express Airport and plans to become an aircraft mechanic.
-Listened to Michigan Avenue resident Rob Morrin ask whether the city plans any safety improvements for the intersection of Michigan, Farnsworth and Fourth Street – known as the Point. In his 15 years living in the area, Morrin said he’s seen many close calls, especially with the increase in traffic. “It’s designed for 1910 with horses,” he said. Pedro asked the administrator and engineer to take a look at it.
-Heard that the City of Bowling Green – which supplies Waterville with water – has issued a drinking water notice for failing to comply with corrosion control treatments. In a statement posted on the BG website, which will be shared with Waterville customers, this is not an emergency.
The Ohio EPA required notification regarding a 29-day period between January and June when the water’s orthophosphate content fell slightly below the acceptable range. Orthophosphate is a naturally occurring substance that keeps the pH levels within an acceptable range, Gochenour said. Because BG didn’t get its test samples back from a third-party lab and report in time to the EPA, the issue is a testing violation, not a health emergency. BG is looking at establishing in-house testing in its own labs in order to eliminate any delays. Waterville will send out a notice to customers with the next water bill.
-Heard that ARS will offer unlimited curbside bulk pickup on Saturday, Oct. 10 beginning at 7 a.m., for the whole city. Bagged items will not be accepted, as these will fit in a garbage can. The pickup is designed for items that are too large or bulky to fit in a toter, Gochenour said.
-Approved the appointment of Kristin Niese to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
-Heard that the city is in discussion with Metroparks Toledo about teaming up on an inclusive park. Pedro said the Metroparks are in the process of upgrading parks, including Farnsworth.
-Learned from Police Chief Joe Valvano that the department responded to 258 incidents in July. He also urged residents to remember to close their garage doors, as officers have seen several remain open overnight.
-Heard Pedro encourage citizens to go check out the new kinetic wind sculptures that were added to Parker Square near the river. Installed by the city, the sculptures were provided by the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Association thanks to a donation by Diana Waugh on behalf of the Waugh family, including the late Gary Waugh.
-Heard that the fire department made 127 runs in July, including 109 EMS, 10 motor vehicle accidents, seven fires and one hazmat situation. Year-to-date, the department has responded to 742 calls, up from 689 year to date in 2025.
-Heard Wayne Wagner ask that the city put in place a rental or lease agreement for the Wakeman Hall parking lot, which the city will be paving this fall.
-Listened to Pedro say that citizens called him with concerns about Cedar Lane residents blowing grass into the roadway, which is hazardous to motorcyclists and bicyclists, and about residents not picking up dog droppings in the Mill Creek neighborhood.
-Approved a one-year contract with Hylant Administrative Services, administrator of the Ohio Government Risk Management Plan for comprehensive property, casualty and liability insurance. The rate increased $4,400 to $72,523 due to the need to insure two new fire vehicles and one new police vehicle; the addition of $40,000 in drone equipment; and a large claim – in which a driver backed into a light pole in front of Mad Anthony’s, causing $10,600 in damage. That accident was not caught on video or a license plate reader, so the city’s insurance will pay for it.
-Authorized Gochenour to apply for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant for replacement of 1,600 feet of 8-inch waterline under the Waterville Primary School back parking lot to the water tower. The city will seek bids for the estimated $315,000 project in early 2027 for work in the spring.
