$10 million Springboro crossroads construction to begin today

Two developers to revitalize northwest corner of Ohio 73 and Ohio 741 intersection.

City officials are working with two developers on redevelopment of the northwest corner of Ohio 73 and Ohio 741, Central Avenue and Main Street in Springboro, as construction of the $10 million intersection project is to begin.

Today, Milcon Concrete of Troy is to begin relocating a water line, the first step in reconstruction of the intersection.

RELATED: Troy contractor ready to reconstruct Springboro crossroads

“The contractor will be maintaining traffic,” Assistant City Manager Pozzuto said during last week’s city council meeting. “We just asked for everybody’s patience.”

Four businesses along the stretch of Ohio 73 east of the intersection under construction will be open, Pozzuto said.

The intersection project and corner redevelopment are expected to cost $15 million or more, most to be paid for by the city.

RELATED: 6 things to know about Springboro crossroads project

City officials said they also were working on agreements with developers charged with revitalizing the northwest corner, for decades the center of the Springboro community, before Settlers Walk or Austin Landing were built.

When agreements are reached, the city and developers are expected to unveil a plan to include new buildings, businesses and public spaces at the intersection.

SOCIAL NETWORKING:Follow Lawrence Budd on Twitter

Comments from the public will be sought during a session to determine what “what types of businesses and services residents would like to see” on the corner that formerly held the Springboro IGA and a strip plaza, according to a newsletter distributed last week by the city.

No dates for the session or information about the developers or plans were available last week.

The developers will not be identified until agreements have been signed, Pozzuto said.

In anticipation of the corner redevelopment, the city plans to have the final building on the property, the former Springboro Flea Market Building, previously known as the Springboro Hardware Building, demolished.

Work is also to begin today on that. The flea market moved to 315 Conover Dr. in Franklin.

MORE: Springboro crossroads part of $44 million in road construction

On May 19, the Warren County Transportation Improvement District board approved a contract with Milcon for slightly more than $3 million to widen and improve the intersection of Ohio 741 and Ohio 73.

The intersection was once to be reconstructed as three-quarters of a roundabout, but city officials steered back toward a traditional intersection.

Milcon is to construct two turn lanes heading north from eastbound Ohio 73 and two turn lanes heading west from southbound Ohio 741, along with an overall widening and landscaping of the intersection.

In addition, Milcon is to construct a raised median along the length of the left turn lanes to provide access control through the intersection.

The project is to be completed by late summer or early fall 2018, according to Warren County Engineer Neil Tunison, who is managing the project for the city through the county transportation board.

RELATED: Speedway contests Springboro intersection plan

On Thursday, crews were also working on demolishing the canopy that covered gas pumps at the former Speedway station on the southwest corner.

The former sites of two other gas stations have been cleared.

About the Author