The Warren County city on the Great Miami River was not among the 148 recipients announced in August by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
City Manager Jonathan Westendorf said after the city’s application was rejected last year, it is applying lessons learned by focusing all RAISE funding to construction and linking existing “shovel ready” projects. The new focus is for transportation, infrastructure and economic development projects through 2030.
“We have done a really good job tying this together. We’re pretty excided,” he said.
However, there are uncertainties with the new presidential administration and shifting priorities. Westendorf said it’s possible the application round due by Jan. 30 will be paused, but that the city needs still needs to be ready.
The RAISE grant request of $25 million includes $22,950,000 for riverfront improvements, $593,000 for the roundabout at Second Street and Miami Avenue, $1,194,000 for Sixth Street and Riley Boulevard intersection improvements and $125,000 for the Great-Little Miami Connector Trail. The grant, if approved, would cover 67% of the total $37 million price tag.
Other federal funds would provide 13% of funding, and local revenue and other grants would cover the remaining 20%, Westendorf said.
Improvements at Sixth Street and Riley Boulevard make up a project ranked No. 1 for Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission funding and received a $500,000 Ohio Clean Trails award, the city manager said. RAISE funding would further offset the city’s cost for the project.
Infrastructure projects include the Fifth Street water main work to replace an aging but critical pipe in poor condition that goes under the river; Duke Energy transmission lines along the riverbank affected by erosion; and a sidewalk to protect pedestrians and connect Community Park, Franklin High School and downtown.
Downtown redevelopment economic impact is projected to create 322 jobs with $19.2 million in annual earnings and $2.5 million in local taxes raised. The economic impact of tourism along the Great Miami River was $1.2 billion in 2023, up 6% from the previous year. However, Franklin only saw growth of 1.3%, he said.
Westendorf said U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno promised a letter of support, and that Warren, Montgomery and Butler counties and the Ohio Department of Transportation have or will write letters of support for the project. The city manager said he also will request a letter from new U.S. Sen. Jon Husted and the governor.
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