North Ridgeville residents raise concerns about Sugar Ridge Road project

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio (WOIO) - Some North Ridgeville residents are voicing concerns about the city’s plan to build a 10-foot-wide multi-use path along Sugar Ridge Road as part of a road rehabilitation project.

According to the city, the path would help connect neighborhoods and reduce disruption from utility work. The city said the project is necessary because there is a lack of safe places to walk or bike on the road.

“It seems very intrusive,” said Mike Babet, who lives along Sugar Ridge Road.

“The very nature of our neighborhood is going to change,” said Pam Madalone, who lives along the Sugar Ridge Road.

Residents’ questions

The city held an open house Oct. 27 to discuss the plans and information surrounding the project.

“We had more questions leaving the open house than going into it,” said Babet. “The drawings are incomplete; the engineering is incomplete.”

Madalone said the path doesn’t fit their rural town.

“A 10-foot-wide asphalt path in my front yard is not appropriate for the area,” Madalone said. “It’s forcing an urban type path through our rural neighborhood.”

Different houses along the road have different distances the road, trees in their yards, and powerlines. Many want to know what is going to happen to those if a path is constructed.

“Where is the road going to end up, what about telephone poles and why a 10-foot path,” Babet said.

According to the city, the project will also help create a safe place to walk or bike along Sugar Ridge Rd.

“I think only 4 of the 90 something houses affected by this even said they would use something like this,” Babet said.

Comment period and timeline

The city is accepting resident comments on the project until Nov. 27. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2028.

Babet and Madalone said more transparency is a priority for them.

The city of North Ridgeville has been contacted for comment and had not responded as of the report.