The City of North Royalton recently received notification from the State on a major grant that will be used for the Abbey Road Sanitary Force Main and Gravity Sewer Improvement Project. The project is estimated to cost about $20,000,000. The notification was received on March 23, stating that the City’s application has been selected to move forward to the next level for the grant.
The project would include the conversion of one of the City’s two Wastewater Treatment Plants into a pumping station. This conversion is expected to ultimately save the city money, while operating a more efficient system. Currently, the city has Wastewater Treatment Plant “A,” located on Royalton Road, which treats mostly the southern section of the city and Wastewater Treatment Plant “B,” located on Sprague Road, which treats most of the northern section. The northeast portion of the city is treated by the Northeast Regional Sewer District. According to North Royalton Wastewater Superintendent, Mark Smith, the project would include the conversion of “B” Plant to a pumping station, the construction of a sewer main from “B” to “A” Plant, which would run down Abbey Road and the addition of two tanks at “A” Plant. Smith said the main would be part force main and part gravity main. He also said the two additional tanks would accommodate the wet weather flow.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said that “if the City kept “B” Plant as a treatment plant, it would have cost the City about $20-30 million in repair and updates, as well as the cost of the permit and personnel to keep it operating. That plant was constructed in the 1960s. If “B” Plant stops treating the wastewater, the City would no long have to have someone there 24-7 and would no longer need a permit to operate it. Not only would the proposed plan have an impact on how the city treats wastewater, but it could potentially have an impact on economic development. Antoskiewicz noted that the area on Abbey Road is one of the biggest open pieces in Cuyahoga County, but it’s not sewered. Community Development Director, Tom Jordan said that the area that would be impacted consists of about 242 acres, which is primarily zoned General Industry and Research Office. By giving those properties sewer access, it makes them more developable, especially since the widening of Rt. 82 in that area is near completion, giving a straight access to I-71. There are also 27 residential lots on Abbey Road which are currently septic, that would be tied into the sanitary sewer.
According to North Royalton Finance Director, Jenny Esarey, “In 2021, City Council approved Ordinance #21-191, allowing the Mayor to accept a Grant and enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program for $250,000. This $250,000 was approved towards the design of the Plant “B” Conversion and the Abbey Road Sanitary Force Main and Gravity Sewer Improvements. At the same time, the City also applied for a construction grant, but in 2021, the grant was not awarded. Recently, additional federal appropriations were granted to the Ohio Department of Development for Water and Water Infrastructure Grants, and it was determined that only previously submitted applications would be considered.” The wastewater department engineering contractor, Avelin Engineering Ltd., submitted additional required information required.
A special Council meeting was called for March 28 in order to adopt an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to sign a matching fund letter for a 75 percent/25 percent grant with the Ohio Department of Development. The grant, from the Ohio Water and Water Infrastructure Grants Program will total $5,000,000. The City will commit an investment of $15,000,000. The measure was unanimously adopted by City Council.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer