The Piqua City Commission has authorized the award of a $2.6 million contract to ATCS Inc. to construct phase II of the Lock 9 Park improvements. After being delayed for several years following the initial phase of construction, the project is moving forward with the unanimous support of the City Commission.
The Lock 9 Park phase II improvements will include constructing a trail connection to Main Street, terracing the levee overlooking the riverway, and creating a performance pavilion and community lawn. A final construction phase is anticipated to be presented to the City Commission for approval in 2023. The final phase will include restoring the lock walls, installing a water feature, planting tree groves, and other landscape improvements. When complete, Lock 9 Park will be a hub for outdoor recreation, leisure, and community gatherings.
The community’s desire for the project was first identified in the 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update. Community planning for the downtown riverfront project gained momentum in 2012 when the Ohio Department of Development secured a technical assistance grant. Citizen and stakeholder engagements continued over the next several years as work advanced the findings and recommendations of the initial planning efforts. The resulting Riverfront Development Strategy and Piqua Ohio Placemaking Initiative validated the market need and community vision for the improvements.
Through the course of the planning efforts, the City of Piqua leveraged over $600,000 in grant funding to complete the acquisition, due diligence, and design and environmental work for the project. The City secured approximately $2 million in private, state, and federal funding sources to supplement the local funding necessary to complete the planned improvements.
Already the planned improvements are driving private investment activity and job creation, and it is anticipated that the completion of the park improvements will stimulate further entrepreneurial activity and quality of life enhancements benefiting the community.
