RACINE — A project involving improvements at Star Mill Park and the installation of a new sidewalk from the park entrance to the Racine Boat Ramp is set to go to bid in February, while a riverbank stabilization project is still in need of funding.

Last year the Village of Racine was approved for an $800,000 grant consisting of federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 10 are overseeing the project. Assuming the bidding process goes smoothly, construction on the improvements could start in April with the contractor having until October to finish, if needed.

The project once again came up for discussion at the most recent meeting of Racine Village Council. The funds are specified for the installation of new sidewalk along Ohio 124, the widening of the entrance to Star Mill Park, the paving of the walking track and parking lot in the park as well as lighting around the walking path.

Last year, Saleh A. Eldabaja, production administrator for ODOT District 10, explained around 1,100 feet of new sidewalk will be installed from the entrance of Star Mill Park to the Racine Boat Ramp along Ohio 124. The sidewalk will be five feet wide. A drainage system will also be installed along with the sidewalk. The lighting around Star Mill Park should consist of 30-32 lamps when completed.

The project was sent to ODOT’s central office in Columbus on Dec. 1 of last year for approval and was then estimated to cost around $700,000, which was a figure that didn’t include engineering fees.

Also discussed at the most recent meeting of Racine Village Council was the riverbank stabilization project. For a few years now, Racine has been attempting to find funding to stabilize the river bank to protect the potable water well field which provides drinking water to residents. According to grant applications to find funding, some of the well field, located within Star Mill Park, is eroding and causing unstable areas along the bank of the Ohio River.

Racine has been working with the Huntington, W.Va. office of the US Army Corps of Engineers to determine a solution and recently approved the Corps’ feasibility study of the project; a project estimated to cost $1 million. Council discussed staying in contact with US Congressman Charlie Wilson’s (D-St. Clairsville) office to find funding for the project. Residents who support the project can voice their support by contacting Wilson’s office toll-free at 1-888-706-1833.