By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green has received $1.2 million to help build a multi-use path along the northern edge of the city.
The path will link the Community Center with Bowling Green High School and with the Cogan’s Crossing housing subdivision.
The funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation is a 90-10 split for the path project, with the city’s share being $150,000, Joe Fawcett, the city’s public services director, said during Monday’s City Council meeting.
The shared use path will provide a travel area separate from motorized traffic for bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers and other users. The 10-foot wide path will further the city’s complete streets efforts and will build infrastructure identified as a route on both TMACOG’s 2045 On the Move Update and the designated U.S. Bike Route 25 through Bowling Green.
ODOT will release the funding to the city over the next three years. The phases of the project will include design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. The goal is to have the project completed by the end of 2026.
City Council has been discussing the multi-use path for several years.
“This is tremendous,” council member Greg Robinette said. The path will be “turning the community center into something other than an island.”
“I view this whole process as an example of the way government is supposed to work,” council member Bill Herald said.
One of the people who worked on the path project was public works director Brian Craft, who is retiring soon after working for the city for 31 years.
Mayor Mike Aspacher thanked Craft for his service to the city.
“Thank you for the good work that you did,” the mayor said. Aspacher also introduced Mick Murray who will become the new public works director.
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter explained how critical Craft has been in getting millions of dollars in matching funds for such road projects as Wooster Street, North Main Street and downtown.
“That’s part of your legacy,” Tretter said. “That really has changed the community.”
And Joe Fawcett thanked Craft for sharing his knowledge on the job. “I’ve learned a lot from you,” Fawcett said.
City officials also bid farewell to Clerk of Council Kay Scherreik, who is retiring after nearly 33 years on the job. Council members thanked her for her gentle firmness – keeping them in line.
“What a great job you have done making me not look stupid,” council President Mark Hollenbaugh said.
“I can attest to the fact that you make all of us look good. You keep all of us in line,” Aspacher said. “I’m so grateful for your service.”
Herald noted that Scherreik has handled more than 5,000 pieces of legislation, and attended more than 750 meetings. “Well done, good and faithful clerk,” he said.
“Thousands of pieces of legislation have literally gone through your hands,” Hollenbaugh said.
Tretter said much of the clerk’s work is completed behind the scenes.
“What you see every Monday night is a well-oiled machine,” Tretter said, explaining that Scherreik took on more and more duties over the years.
“Kay is someone well respected on our staff,” Tretter said. “It’s really hard to watch this much experience go. Your impact will remain here.”
And City Attorney Mike Marsh said he could attest to Scherreik’s performance, since he has worked more than 44 years with many village and city clerks.
“This is the gold standard right here,” he said.
Scherreik said she is ready to fill her next role – as grandma.
“I’ve enjoyed my job,” she said. “It’s sad to leave you all.”
