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The city of Fairborn took another step forward in its Colonel Glenn Highway branding plan, with the hope that it will pave the way for securing non-city funding sources to pay for the construction portion of the multi-million dollar project.
City Council approved Monday night a $210,985 contract with POD Design for construction design services for the Colonel Glenn Highway enhancement plan, and city officials hope the improvements near Wright State University begins early next year.
Last month, council approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with POD Design for the contract, only if a non-city funding source was secured to pay for it. But the city has identified local funds within the motor vehicle license tax fund to pay for the contract.
Pete Bales, Fairborn assistant city manager, said this would lead to a better chance of securing construction funding from non-city sources, such as state and federal grants, loans, and in-kind or private donations.
“(The design contract) will make it shovel-ready,” Bales said. “This will give us the tools needed to enter into a construction contract in the future, and the construction company can take it and build the project.”
Bales said the city's goal is to start construction by mid-March and have the project completed in early September — in time for the presidential debate at the Nutter Center.
“That’s ambitious, and that’s with everything really falling into place,” Bales said.
A year ago, the estimated cost of the Colonel Glenn Highway branding plan was $3.6 million. Bales said he expects that number to be solidified during the detailed design process.
If the money is not secured prior to the debate, the city would still pursue support for the project, which could then be done in phases, Bales said.
Improvements along Colonel Glenn Highway would include sidewalks; lighting; wayfinding signage and banners; landscaping and hardscaping, such as brick columns and pavers; and site furnishings, such as benches and bus stops.
The intent of the Colonel Glenn Highway enhancement plan is to spur business development, increase student enrollment, calm traffic conditions, improve walkability throughout the corridor and improve aesthetics.
“Our hope is that it makes it more user-friendly and attractive for the city,” Mayor Dan Kirkpatrick said. “What’s pushing this now is the presidential debate. We really want to emphasize how beautiful a city Fairborn is, and we want to enhance people’s time when they are here.”
The $1.52 million Colonel Glenn Highway road construction project was completed late last year. A 0.7-mile stretch of Colonel Glenn, from Paramount Place to just west of University Boulevard, was repaired.
Improvements included resurfacing and restriping the road; replacing and installing new curbs and gutters; sidewalk installation; crosswalk enhancements; and installation of two curbed islands in the center median.
Approximately 22,000 vehicles travel Colonel Glenn daily, which makes it the second-busiest road in Fairborn. WSU has a total enrollment of a little more than 18,000 students.
Bales said the city also is working with Beavercreek officials on the Colonel Glenn Highway enhancement plan, which would extend the project another ¾ of a mile west to Mission Point Boulevard.
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