Barhorst
SIDNEY — “I’m pleased to report that throughout 2023, City Council set out to build upon both our strengths and positive community momentum by supporting city staff, local leadership, and community stakeholders. We recognized opportunities for sustained economic growth through residential, commercial and industrial development in both our downtown and throughout the greater community,” said Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst.
His report continues:
In addition, we promoted the continuation of exceptional services in our family-friendly city, all the while watching for risks and roadblocks that would negatively impact the city’s financial soundness and the critical public infrastructure needed for the vibrant community that we envision.
Here is a quick review of some of the milestones and highlights from 2023:
• Completed the Parks and Recreation Master Plan;
• Marked the start of demolition of the former Wagner Manufacturing complex with a June 26, 2023, ceremony;
• The redevelopment of The Ohio Building was awarded Ohio Historic Tax Credits in the amount of $1.8 million with the developer beginning work in late 2023;
• Adopted a Rental Registration program which will be launched in the next few months following adjustments to the program based upon the recommendations of the Rental Dwelling Registration Ad Hoc Committee;
• Signed agreements with multiple developers to begin constructing more than 500 new housing units;
• Began construction of new section of the recreational trail that will extend the Miami Erie Canal Trail to pass through the Interstate 75 limited access right of way under the bridge structure, and to tie into the existing Canal Feeder Trail east of the interstate highway;
• Hosted six Japanese visitors as a part of the 2023 Japan-America Grassroots Summit;
• Planted 128 trees on two city properties, the purchase of which was made possible through corporate donations enabling us to secure an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Canopy Restoration Grant that required one-for-one matching funds;
• Completed the Downtown Enhancement project;
• Began construction of a new parallel taxiway at the Sidney City Airport;
• Joined Michigan Metal Coatings in announcing the plans for their 300,000 square-foot location in Sidney;
• Updated over 6,300 residential water meters;
• Authorized a CRA Agreement with SEMPCORP Manufacturing USA LLC. associated with their proposed new construction and operation of a 90,000-square- foot facility to produce coated lithium-ion battery separator film; and,
• Dozens of other projects that will positively impact the City for years to come.
We’ve hit the ground running in 2024! Here is a quick highlight of projects planned for this year:
• Proposed two amendments to the City Charter that will be on the ballot for the March Primary Election;
• Proposed a .05% permanent earned income tax increase that will be on the ballot in March that will help move Sidney forward;
• Campbell Road from Vandemark Road to Kuther Road will be completely reconstructed;
• Will retire the remaining bonds that financed the construction of the Sidney Police facility;
• Authorized an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the removal and replacement of the I-75 bridge over Campbell Road;
• Authorized the replacement of the 9-1-1 computer system;
• Will continue the conversations with the surrounding townships on how to best pay the cost of fire and emergency services;
• Continue working to bring online additional wells in the City’s well field;
• As part of the agreement, ODOT is responsible for 100% of the project cost, right-of-way acquisition, and utility accommodations. Project design is underway with construction scheduled to begin in early 2025.
• Continue working with interested parties on the extension of the recreational trail that will extend the trail from its terminus in Graceland Cemetery through the City to Tawawa Park; and,
• Dozens of other projects that will positively impact Sidney for generations to come.
I want to speak in detail about a couple of those projects. The city’s 2023-2027 Five-Year Plan reflects that the city will issue general obligation bonds to finance two upcoming building projects. The first would be the reconstruction of City Hall. The second would be the relocation of Fire Station 2.
In late 2022, an agreement was reached to purchase property on Campbell Road adjacent to the city’s current Vandemark Road property. The replacement of Station 2, found to be undersized as a part of a feasibility study of the growing needs for improved fire response in the industrial sector of the city, will be constructed on this parcel. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 with an estimated cost of approximately $11 million.
The City Hall project is also expected to begin this year, with an estimated cost of $11 million. Architects and engineers are still working on the design of the project, which will require the relocation of offices for the duration of the project.
For some years, the city has worked toward developing a relationship with a Japanese city. Officials at Advanced Composites have been particularly helpful, and a trip is being planned to visit the mayor of Ichihara City, the corporate home of Mitsui Chemicals, in May. Mitsui Chemicals is the parent company of both Advanced Composites and Hexa Americas. While in Japan, the delegation would also plan to visit the parent companies of the other local Japanese-owned industries including Honda, NK Parts, Sankyo America, and Stolle Machinery.
Still another historic bridge, this one constructed by David H. Morrison of Dayton and currently located in rural Auglaize County, will be removed, rehabilitated and reconstructed across Tawawa Lake in Tawawa Park. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) awarded the city a Transportation Alternative Program Grant in the amount of $1.3 million for the DH Morrison Bowstring Bridge Renovation & Relocation Project. The 1874 D.H. Morrison Bowstring Arch Bridge has been donated to the city and will replace an aged footbridge that is more than six decades old to connect recreational trails on either side of Tawawa Lake. We are currently working with ODOT that would provide grant funding for another historic bridge that would cross Tawawa Creek and connect Meyer Meadow with Anderson Bottom Land.
Before I close, I want to thank former At-Large Councilmember Steve Klingler for his four years of service as a member of City Council. I want to welcome Cory Huelskamp, who was elected this past November.
I also want to thank First Ward Councilmember Mardie Milligan for her leadership as mayor the past two years. She continues to share her dynamic leadership with the city as a councilmember, and for that I am grateful and the city fortunate.
Thank you to our industrial and business interests, who have helped move Sidney so dramatically forward. It was not that long ago (1977) that Sidney had the highest per capita unemployment rate in the State of Ohio. How things have changed!
Finally, I want to thank our residents, who are what makes our community the special place that it is. Let us continue working together to make Sidney a better place to live, work, worship and raise our families.
