Services committee backs elevated multiuse trail option for East Granville (Route 37); design contract to follow

Council members reported at the Sept. 3 meeting that the services committee and public engagement both favored the second of three alternatives for the East Granville/Route 37 widening project: an option combining an elevated multiuse trail with a sidewalk at road level. Councilman Capel, reporting for the services committee, said the option was both the public’s favorite and that of the committee, and that it is the most expensive of the three alternatives.

Capel said the project balances planning for future safety and connectivity and that the city will discuss a design contract at an upcoming meeting, likely within two weeks. The preferred option envisions a 52‑foot right‑of‑way with a 7‑foot sidewalk adjacent to the street and an elevated shared‑use path that would connect to the Ohio to Erie Trail, according to materials shown to council and included in the design packet.

City staff and the engineer later provided related updates: work at the wastewater treatment plant (aerobic digesters) and progress on the street improvement program were noted, and the Columbus Street parking lot project remains slated to begin later in September. The engineer also explained rejuvenator surface treatment recently applied to some streets and said the contractor has swept affected streets and that painted lines will reappear as the surface cures.

No formal council vote to adopt a final design was recorded at the Sept. 3 council meeting; committee preference and public input were presented and staff indicated the next step will be to bring design contract details back to council for approval.