Posted on January 31, 2011 by Carol Zelizer

A project as big as the $1.7 billion - 15 year- I-70/71 construction project is bound to affect historic buildings and districts abutting the improvement - or so you would think.  ODOT concluded that aside from direct impacts where buildings are removed (ET Paul and Carabar) or clearly impacted by noise and vibration (Shiloh Baptist Church), there were no other adverse effects caused such properties.  Several area organizations disputed the ODOT findings by pointing out that the project introduces "new transportation elements into the existing landscape" - Lester Drive and Elijah Pierce Boulevard - and "visual, atmospheric or audible elements that diminish the integrity of the property's historic features (Federal regulations)." The Ohio Historical Society as the area's SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) concurred with ODOT and, not unexpectedly, the Federal Highway Administration concurred with them as well.

Indeed, this project will expand the freeway trench from 6 to 10 lanes of traffic introducing more traffic, noise, and pollution to the area.  In order to expand the trench, vegetation currently abutting the freeway will be removed and replaced with perpendicular retaining walls.  Whatever pedestrian character exists in portions of the project area (i.e. the East Town Street Historic District) may be strained by the introduction of new streets, not currently there, and the further separation of neighborhoods that were once intact.

Why do FHWA and ODOT, as its agent, want findings of "no adverse effect?"  Because, the law requires that adverse effects be "mitigated" and that means flexibility in dealing with the community and money to make things better.  The almighty dollar rears its ugly head.

While ODOT takes great strides in making sure every "T" is crossed and every "I" is dotted in complying with the federal guidelines concerning this project (with excruciatingly technical data in support of its findings), some people feel it would be more helpful if ODOT would stand back, open its eyes and see what is really happening to the City's downtown neighborhoods affected by this project.