Tallmadge seeks OPWC funds for Howe Road improvements; council approves GameTime playground grant application

The Tallmadge City Council voted unanimously Thursday to pursue outside funding for two related park and road projects on and near Howe Road.

Council adopted Ordinance 20 25-70 to prepare and submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the Howe Road capital improvement project. Director of Public Service Mike Rohrer told the council the OPWC application would target a package that typically includes a 32% grant portion and approximately 68% financed through OPWC low-interest programs. Rohrer said the application could yield roughly $1,250,000 toward the project.

Separately, the council adopted Ordinance 20 25-71 (first reading adoption at the meeting) to authorize the mayor to apply for the GameTime Community Champions playground grant and to contract with GameTime through the OMNIA cooperative purchasing program. Rohrer said the proposed Howe Road playground costs $382,000; the GameTime grant would cover about $115,000 of equipment, reducing the city’s remaining playground cost to about $267,000. Rohrer credited Jessica Simons for locating the grant opportunity.

Why it matters: the combined efforts would reduce the city’s capital outlay by leveraging state- or vendor-supported programs for a road-improvement and playground upgrade project. OPWC financing can lower borrowing costs; a vendor cooperative (OMNIA) speeds procurement for playground equipment.

Details and timeline: council’s public-service committee reported that Summit County (the county department managing the roadway work) is moving to bid the related county work in the coming weeks; county staff estimated the county project would start this fall and take about three months. The OPWC application and a coordinated procurement for playground equipment are prerequisites; funding approvals and county bid awards will determine final schedules.

Next steps: staff will complete the OPWC application, pursue the GameTime grant and return with formal contract documents and any required appropriations. The city’s finance director said she will track budget impacts and potential reappropriations as contract and grant awards become final.