Chillicothe to install sidewalk in front of Northside Branch of library

CHILLICOTHE― Chillicothe is installing a new sidewalk on Buckeye Street to improve access to the Northside Branch of the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library.

The city is using funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to pay for the project. The new sidewalk will run from the intersection of Buckeye and Piatt Avenue to the intersection of Buckeye and Safford Avenue- the stretch in front of the library branch.

Courtney Lewis, the communications and marketing manager at the library, said the Northside Branch has two entrances, one on Buckeye and one on Delano Avenue, so access to the library will not be disrupted during construction.

"We are always in support of a more walkable community and are excited to have more accessibility for that neighborhood," Lewis said. "The sidewalks will also provide safe access to those pushing kids in strollers, as well as people with mobility issues using a wheelchair or scooter."

The $80,000 sidewalk design will include a curb and gutter for stormwater and ADA-accessible ramps.

City Engineer David Fishel said the construction would be limited to daytime hours and require periodic lane closures. The project is expected to be completed in early August after two months of construction.

Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney said the sidewalk will help with pedestrians, drainage issues and speeding. He said the sidewalk will narrow the street which will discourage speeding.

'[The city engineers] designed the sidewalk system that will get the water where it's supposed to be," Feeney said. "The library is such a community source and obviously you don't have to drive to have a library card and so whatever we can do to increase people's access to a service like this."

Feeney said this will be the "most expensive paving summer we've had" with over $2 million in paving projects.

The city is currently advertising this project to interested contractors who can submit a price proposal for the work. Bidding proposals can be found on the city’s website atwww.ChillicotheOH.gov.

A portion of the CDBG funds will be used to work on drainage at Mary Lou Patton Park.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Chillicothe to install Buckeye Street sidewalk at Northside library