T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Engineer Brian May from May Engineering tells council the Ohio Department of Transportation will not fund the crosswalk project simultaneously with the Ohio 7 paving project at Bridgeport’s council meeting.

BRIDGEPORT — The crosswalk project in Bridgeport will not be funded by the Ohio Department of Transportation to coincide with an upcoming paving project in the area.

Engineer Brian May from May Engineering told Bridgeport council Tuesday evening ODOT declined the grant to bring a safety initiative to the crosswalk in Bridgeport at the same time as ODOT completes its Ohio 7 paving project, which will begin soon.

However, May added, the village may still be able to get the crosswalk project done by reapplying for the grant. May felt like ODOT didn’t feel it had enough time to start the crosswalk project with their paving project.

At the last council meeting, May said it looked promising that ODOT would approve the funding for the project, but the project won’t get done as soon as the village hoped. The grant would bring flashing lights; a concrete bump out, which is a sidewalk extension into a parking lane that narrows the roadway and shortens pedestrian crossing distance; and crosswalk painting.

Instead, ODOT offered to shift the crosswalk to the Fat Apple Bakery side of the street that’s right in front of the municipal building.

May said he thinks it’s a good idea but it is just going to be painted and two new curb ramps.

Police Chief John Bumba asked how the crosswalk situation would be taken care of, stating there is no safe place for anybody to cross. He expressed his frustration of the safety of crossing the streets in Bridgeport and how something needs to be done.

In the meantime, the village still has the opportunity for the elaborate project by reapplying for funding.

Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley came to council to present photos and discuss the new addition being added to the school. The school’s multipurpose expansion “The Bridge,” will be a 28,500-square-foot addition for education, workforce development and health care needs. Ripley told council the school is looking forward to breaking ground on May 28.

The district has been talking to professionals from different fields for education classes for the addition along with opening a science, technology, engineering, the arts and math classroom where students will do some engineering and robotics.

Students in that program will actually be able to graduate with their pilot’s license.

Ripley said all the training for different fields in the addition will lead to a job by getting a workforce credential.

The addition will also have a healthcare center with two doctors offices and dental offices.

About 64% of graduates from Bridgeport High School go straight into the workforce, so this addition is making a plan for these students, Ripley said.

Not only will this facility also be for the students but for the community as well who will be able to use the gym, and pickleball and volleyball courts during the day.

“That’s the goal here at Bridgeport. And if we can get all this done with everyone’s support, we’ll be able to flip the script of what’s expected when a kid comes to our school district, and just different types of kids will be able to bring into Bridgeport,” Ripley said. “So I’m proud of the Board of Education … we really work as a team.”

Bridgeport Youth Sports announced its opening day parade for lineup at 10 a.m. and parade at 10:30 a.m. April 27 at 84 Lumber.

Council then went into a closed-door session for property and litigation issues.

After returning from the closed-door session, council discussed ordinances and resolutions.

The first ordinance established the hourly and salaried compensation of village employees and declared an emergency. It added the village recognizes the need to repeal and replace the original ordinance to reflect a more appropriate compensation level in exchange for the services being provided to the village on a regular basis.

Council, including members Michelle Lucarelli, David Holmes, Robert Bennington, Doris Dunkle and Joseph Lyle approved the emergency and ordinance.

Council also approved the hiring of Brady Giffin as a full-time water/street department employee for the village. It also approved the wage increase of Travis Snodgrass as the current water/street superintendent for the village. The rate of pay will increase to $21.75 per hour.

The last resolution approved the wage increase of Paul Hanlin as the current water/street assistant superintendent for the village. His wage will increase to $18 per hour. Council, including members Lucarelli, Holmes, Bennington, Dunkle and Lyle approved of all of the resolutions.