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Marietta City Council met Thursday to discuss the first round of requests for American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The council evaluated each of the 17 projects, but before any will be approved, Law Director Paul Bertram will make sure they meet the requirements.
As the council had questions on most items, additional meetings would be required before they would vote to approve the requests.
Council President Susan Vessels said the first 10 requests are from the city administration.
The first round of requests were:
¯ Armory upgrades for $18,000. Some $8,000 would go toward installation of an ADA compliant door opener and $10,000 would be for a permanent sign installation and landscaping.
Mayor Josh Schlicher said funds would be used to "spruce up" the front of the armory with new landscaping and a permanent sign would be installed which listed each of the building's tenants.
Councilman Bill Farnsworth said he supported the ADA door opener and permanent sign, but landscaping didn't seem like a long-term investment in the building.
¯ Indian Acres trail repavement for $20,000. Approximately a quarter of a mile would be repaved, from past the tennis courts to the aquatic center.
"Indian Acres park needs rehab to make it easier for people to walk on," said Safety Service Director Steve Wetz.
¯ Seventh and Putnam streets repair for an estimated $30,000. A building was torn down at the corner of Seventh and Putnam streets and it's been fenced off ever since. The intention was to have work done in-house, but it was determined it should be contracted out.
One of the suggestions was to have a "Welcome to Downtown Marietta" sign erected on that corner.
¯ 304 Putnam St. renovation for $832,000. City Engineer Joe Tucker said an ADA self evaluation was required by the federal government. The evaluation identifies what does and does not meet ADA requirements around the city.
The self-evaluation would cost around $106,000, a generator electric switch at the Marietta/Belpre Health Department would cost $120,000, ADA compliance upgrades are $200,000, with facility renovations and costs to correct deficits of $406,000.
Tucker said the health department would be ADA compliant on the parking lot and path into the building, along with things like water fountains and restrooms. There are other deficiencies such as plumbing, handrails and doors, he said.
"The $406,000 is a conservative estimate," he said.
¯ Stormwater repairs for $500,000. There are three main areas targeted for stormwater or sanitary sewer repairs in the city. The Rathbone Street stormwater repair would cost $250,000, the Colegate Avenue sanitary sewer repair was $125,000, and the Lancaster, High Street and Bellevue Street stormwater repair would be $125,000.
Public Works Director Jim Wark said there were "copious amounts of stormwater issues" on Rathbone and the $250,000 won't be enough to fix it.
Tucker added the repairs were estimated at more than $1 million.
"I support it and understand it's just a start," Farnsworth said.
¯ Washington Playground ramp and sidewalk repairs for $100,000.
Schlicher said there have been up to $150,000 in improvements done to the playground, which is maintained and owned by the city.
"It's unsafe for pedestrians and children who use the ramp," he said.
He estimated the ramp would cost around $15,000, but repairs to a section of wall and gazebo, along with adding drainage to the west side of the playground, also need done.
A new sidewalk to the entrance of the park by the Washington County Library is needed.
"We'd like to get the project done this year," he said.
¯ Improvements to the armory lock area for $100,000. Marietta Rotary and the Rowing Club are collaborating with the city on this project, with a kayak launch, additional docks and a picnic area to be completed behind the armory.
Schlicher said they would start small and make immediate improvements.
¯ Gold Star Park community center replacement for $500,000. Schlicher said the building is essential to the city as a backup emergency operations command area and the Marietta/Belpre Health Department, as well as a backup space for the city council.
¯ Lighting on walking trail and park lightbulb replacement for $100,000. Some $75,000 would cover the installation of approximately 50 solar poles, with the additional $25,000 going toward upgrading old park incandescent lighting with LED bulbs, thus reducing the city's electric bill.
¯ Wayfinding signage for $50,000. This would upgrade signage for main gateways into the city, along with historic sites. Schlicher said it would clean up the old, ugly signs around town, hopefully enticing more tourism.
¯ Gold Star Park and Indian Acres tennis/pickleball courts for $342,840. Scott Kitchen has been spearheading local efforts to get new or upgraded tennis and pickleball courts in Marietta.
"We are woefully short of court time and court facilities," he said.
This funding would add two new pickleball courts. He would like to have them added to Gold Star Park, but Indian Acres has more flat land.
¯ Washington County Historical Society for $70,500 to do underground mapping of the Mound Cemetery and add an ADA entrance to the Anchorage.
¯ Marietta Main Street for $275,000. This would include $190,000 for downtown building maintenance and care, $30,000 for small business assistance and support, $40,000 for operation support and long-term investment, and $15,000 for flower pots in downtown.
¯ Peoples Bank Theatre for $80,000. ADA access and loading dock work would cost $65,000, with $15,000 to go toward fiber optic cable installation and networking. The council agreed on the ADA access, but questioned the fiber optic funding.
¯ Ely Chapman for $65,000. Board President Hunt Brawley said $38,000 would pay for an inclined platform lift for ADA compliance, and $27,000 would repair and upgrade the floor in room 100, which is currently not code compliant.
¯ Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theater for $35,000 to repaint the auditorium walls.
Tucker said they would need to do hazardous materials tests to make sure there is no asbestos or lead in the paint before any work is done.
¯ The Castle Museum for $14,000 for internet and phone-based Mound Cemetery app tours. Executive Director Scott Britton said this would make things more accessible to the general public.