NEXT PHASE OF WORK ON MIAMISBURG PARK TO BEGIN

Improvements are tied to future of downtown, priority for city plan.

The city is preparing to make its largest investment to date in a $10 million master plan for Riverfront Park.

About $1.5 million is expected to be spent on improving access to Miamisburg’s 10-acre park as part of the next phase to the eightpart plan. The site that hosts more than 60 events annually along the Great Miami River is a key element to downtown Miamisburg’s redevelopment and a priority for the city’s strategic plan.

It will also serve as an important role as the community celebrates a landmark event next year, Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church, Jr. said.

“We’re very excited about the future of Riverfront Park and its role in the success of our downtown district,” according to Church. “The upcoming project is a continuation of the city’s efforts to make the park as inviting as possible for the public and also make some improvements in preparation for our bicentennial celebration in 2018.”

The first phase completed last year involved spending more than $200,000 in state grant funds to: create an entryway road as a terminus to Central Avenue; construct a center island, hardscape and landscape; and improve the sidewalks to make them ADA compliant.

This year Miamisburg will spend city money to fund a two-lane road to replace North Miami Avenue and accompanying utility work.

The new road will span about 1,000 feet between Linden Avenue and Ferry Street, according to the city. It will include two 11-foot lanes, plus gutters and sidewalks, a new feature for that area, City Engineer Bob Stanley said.

Bids have yet to be awarded, but estimates indicate the road work will cost about $1.1 million and the utility work about $400,000, he said.

The project is targeted to start next month.

TY GREENLEES PHOTOS / STAFF The next phase of Miamisburg’s Riverfront Park improvements is about to begin. Road and utility work is expected to start in August and continue through next spring. The city has an ambitious plan for attractive features along the Great Miami River, including buildings, playgrounds, bike trails, amphitheater and a plaza. A new entryway has already been completed.

About $1.5 million is expected to be spent on improving access to Miamisburg’s 10-acre park for the next phase to the eight-part plan. The site hosts more than 60 events annually and should be ready for the bicentennial celebration in 2018.