Oxford takes next steps with sidewalk project

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect corrected information about the City of Oxford’s 2026 street resurfacing project.

During an Oxford City Council meeting on May 19, the city took the next steps on a local sidewalk project, while also discussing updates on two housing projects, contract options for a proposed water softening plant and an increase in funding for Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS).

2026 sidewalk construction project

Jackson Construction Inc., a construction company based in Trenton, Ohio, has been selected as the group that will work to repair existing curb, gutter and sidewalks preceding the city's 2026 street resurfacing project.

Jackson Construction Inc. will charge approximately $146,006, with a contingency of $53,994, according to the city staff report. 

The City of Oxford’s 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes $200,000 in funds for repairing defective curbs, gutters and sidewalks prior to street pavement resurfacing.

Mike Dreisbach, service director for the City of Oxford, said the group has worked in Oxford before, and the city has been satisfied with their work.

Once Jackson Construction Inc. has completed work, city staff will request that the council authorize an ordinance assessing improvement costs in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, according to the city staff report.

If the ordinance is passed by the city council, owners living in properties in the construction area will have the opportunity to pay for the sidewalk improvements in cash within 30 days of the assessment ordinance. 

The city staff report notes that if an owner chooses not to pay in cash, “levied amounts will be paid in five annual installments with an interest rate on deferred payments at 5%,” with the final rate to be determined by the city council with passage of the special assessment ordinance. 

Clarence Place project cost increase

In other news, the city council approved a resolution waiving a charge to the Clarence Place project, an Oxford’s Habitat for Humanity project which has experienced an uptick in costs, due to the requirement to pay prevailing wages as a condition of accepting American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, according to the city staff report.

These charges total $131,038 and are associated with water and wastewater service. According to the city staff report, the group has already paid half of this fee and will have the remaining $65,519 waived.

Doug Elliott, city manager for the City of Oxford, reviewed the group’s request and supported the waiving of the remaining charges.

TOPSS updates

The Oxford City Council approved a resolution that will transfer $300,000 in ARPA funds to TOPSS for further construction and expansion of current and new facilities.

These funds will be used for “the build-out of the interior of their new facility and for the planning, repurposing, and refurbishing of their existing facilities to be used in line with their

Mission,” according to the city staff report. 

The $300,000 in funding needs to be used by December, with a goal deadline of Sept. 30, according to the city staff report. 

The Oxford City Council will meet again at 7:30 p.m. on June 2 at the Oxford Courthouse on 118 W. High St.