BEAVERCREEK – City council discussed the future of Wright State Way and the maintenance of the pedestrian bridge during the second reading of the naming of the path over the Interstate 675 bridge that will be opening for all pedestrians. A Sunset provision may be the first for the city.
Mayor Jarvis suggested adding language to the city’s agreement with Wright State University as it pertains to naming the pedestrian bridge. The new language would not only be in the best interest of the city but also the school and new city council members in the future.
“I thought it should have some sort of time limit or it could be in line with the maintenance agreement that will be going into place,” Mayor Jarvis said.
According to staff of the planning committee, a draft of a maintenance agreement has been circulating for some time but hasn’t been finalized yet. It’s said that Wright State will be investing approximately $200,000 for the sign and installation of same and they would want surety that the sign and the name remains for a good amount of time. Therefore, a Sunset Provision would ensure that the name and sign would stay in place for a certain number of years.
“I don’t know what the standard is for bridges, but we won’t want something that is limitless,” the mayor said.
Wright State University also agreed to maintain the bridge and council members agree that the naming of the bridge should also be tied to the maintenance agreement. Basically saying, “If you agree to maintain the bridge, you can name it.”
“My concern is that one day we might want to call it ‘Beavercreek Way’, if they were to no longer maintain it. We appreciate Wright State University and the name. I think it’s a great name and I value the partnership we have with them. But, you just never know what is going to happen 20 years from now,” said Beavercreek City Council Member Vicki Giambrone.
Beavercreek has never had to implement the Sunset Provision in any other agreement before, so this will be the first. But, without having such an agreement in place, years from now, a new agreement could be imposed. This type of agreement is to ensure the longevity of the city’s investment in the Pedestrian Bridge and the maintenance of same for years to come.
The planning committee is to present the proposed provision language change to Wright State University and discussions will continue on the topic during the next reading of the naming rights of the path.
