Ohio budget funds local projects

TIFFIN — Local projects received funding last week when Ohio's two-year capital improvements budget bill, Senate Bill 450, was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine. Community needs championed by State Representative Gary Click includ sites in both Sandusky and Seneca counties, with District 88 receiving $2 million in funding. "I listened to the locals," Click said. In Seneca County, The Ritz Theatre, the Attica Waterfront Walking Path, Meadowbrook Park Historic Ballroom and Fostoria Historic Cemetery all were appropriated funds in the new budget. Fostoria Fountain Cemetery will receive $50,000 for restoration work on its Mausoleum. Eric Keckler, Safety Service Director for the city of Fostoria, said the mausoleum was built in 1916 and still has the original Spanish tile roof, which is leaking. He said repairs/replacement are estimated to cost $100,000, which will be offset by the state funding. Mason Correll, Park Manager at Meadowbrook Park, said the site will receive $60,000 for ballroom renovations. Specifically, he said, improvements will be made to the restrooms and kitchen, and woodworking in the interior of the ballroom will be restored. In addition, he said, new doors will be installed between the kitchen and dance room. The majority of work will be done during the off-season, Correll said. In Attica, Ohio's new budget will help fund a new half-mile-long paved walking path. Fiscal Officer Isaac Phillips said the project will "be a great addition to the community to be utilized by residents, local community members, and even athletes to enjoy while training." "We are currently working through the process of trying to find fundraising support to help with the other half of the project costs," Phillips said. Details about projects at The Ritz Theatre were not received by press time. Projects in Sandusky County include $530,000 for the Sandusky County Fairgrounds; $500,000 for the Gibsonburg Flood Mitigation Project; $125,000 for improvements to Birchard Park; $110,000 for the Hayes Presidential Library Project; $70,000 for the Oakwood Cemetery Infrastructure Preservation Project; and $63,000 to renovate the Historic One Room Chippewa School.