Oregon approves bid for Wolf Creek restoration

By: 
Kelly J. Kaczala

        Oregon City Council on Monday approved the bid of Geo. Gradel Co., Toledo, to furnish labor, materials and equipment for the Wolf Creek Stream Restoration project at the Oregon Recreation Complex by the soccer fields.
        Based on a review of the best bid criteria, project references, and work experience, the public service department recommended that the project construction contract be awarded in the amount of $1,309,687.27.
        “The city received four bids for the work,” said Public Service Director Paul Roman. “After reviewing the various bid alternatives that we had, we determined Geo. Gradel had the lowest and best bid.”
        The project includes the construction of a stream and floodplain restoration project for Wolf Creek within the Oregon Recreation Complex. Using a two-stage channel design, the project will reconnect the creek with enhanced and added floodplain benches. In addition to the floodplain creation and enhancement, Wolf Creek’s streambanks will be regraded to a more stable slope to reduce erosion and bank failure.
       
Improved habitat
        Landscaping for the project includes the installation of native wetland plugs, trees, shrubs, and various floodplain and upland seed mixes throughout the project area.
        The improvements will limit deposition of sediment in this section of Wolf Creek and improve fish and benthic habitat downstream.
        The city was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program Office grant in the amount of $1,344,000 for the engineering, design, and construction of the project.
        “And we found out last week we received another grant for $85,000 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for their H2Ohio grant program that will be added toward the project,” said Roman. “We still had additional costs for inspection, and we do have a supplemental appropriation.”
       
Boardwalk
        The project was bid with several subset project alternates in order for the city to determine the most cost-effective improvements to include with the overall base bid work. Based on the prices received and determined needs, the alternates were selected for construction and are made a part of the proposed project award.
        The alternates will provide additional project benefits, such as water quality improvements, a pedestrian connection between the two sides of the recreation complex, a wildlife viewing platform, educational signage, and a walking path connector.
        “The biggest alternative that we’re selecting is a boardwalk that serves two purposes: It is a good viewing area of the wetlands, but it also serves as a bridge over Wolf Creek so that people using the rec complex can easily get over to the newer fields on the west side,” said Roman. “And it is attractive. I think it’s something that should be done.”
        On Feb. 1, a public meeting was held for residents adjacent to the project area. At the meeting, a presentation was given regarding the design of the project and an informal question and answer session followed. Most comments during the meeting were positive and residents were in favor of the environmental and recreational benefits the project would provide to the neighborhood, according to Roman.
        “It was well attended and well received. We have made other improvements on Wolf Creek like the overflow channel. We received compliments on that. I felt pretty good about that meeting,” said Roman.
        “I thought the site plan looked rather impressive,” said Council President Tim Zale.
        Construction of the project is expected to start this July, and be completed by next spring.
 
       
       
 
 
       
        

Category:

The Press

The Press
1550 Woodville Road
Millbury, OH 43447

(419) 836-2221

Email Us

Facebook Twitter

Ohio News Media Association