A Rossford roundabout in the heart of downtown will slow down traffic, but won’t make the city look like another Toledo suburb, according to the architects.

Andrew Langenderfer, regional leader of Tetra Tech, an engineering consulting firm in Toledo, gave a presentation on the $2.6 million proposed roundabout at the State Rt. 65, Glenwood Road, and Bergin Street intersection. The city's portion is estimated at $1.6 million.

“Everybody’s been through Maumee. We want to let everyone know — peace of mind — this is not Maumee, it’s not the same situation,” Mr. Langenderfer said. “Maumee’s a totally different animal.”

Maumee has 20,000 vehicles a day drive down Conant Street, he said. Rossford has just under 10,000 in this downtown area.

The proposed construction timeline is summer, 2026, with the opening before school starts. The intersection will be closed 60 days for construction. And 14 parking spaces will be eliminated in the area.

Council President Caroline Eckel said two residents who live in another city roundabout, at Route 65 and Colony and Lime City roads, have trouble getting out of their driveways. 

“These look equally close, if not closer,” Ms. Eckel said of residences in the proposed downtown roundabout. 

Austin Dantin, project manager with Tetra Tech, said there will be peak periods of traffic in the city that could be challenging, but “we’re not making it any worse.”

The council had a second reading on entering into the agreement for the roundabout with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

“I think this is a big issue in town and I think it should have the full three readings,” Ms. Eckel said.

The council is expected to vote on the roundabout at its April 14 meeting.

Mr. Langenderfer gave an overview of roundabouts around the country. 

“They provide a lot of safety benefits. They’re very good for pedestrians. They check all the boxes,” he said.

Roundabouts also reduce emissions and idling because vehicles are not sitting at traffic lights, Mr. Langenderfer said. In addition, they reduce crashes, and make a nice gateway to the community, he said.

There are 10,000 roundabouts in the United States, he said, and Carmel, Ind., has converted all of the city’s intersections into roundabouts.

Mr. Dantin said the area will be improved with a roundabout.

“Safety is paramount — that’s our No. 1 concern — safety, and making sure the intersection functions better than what is currently out there,” he said.

The other benefit is it will make the downtown more walkable and friendly, even a destination, Mr. Dantin added.

Also at the meeting, city council declined a request to open the Maumee River docks earlier to accommodate an influx of walleye fisherman. There were concerns about safety, low water and boats getting stuck.

Police Chief Todd Kitzler said the launch is open year round, with parking available.

After some discussion, the council approved the purchase of three 2025 Ford Explorer Interceptors from Reineke Family Dealerships in Findlay, for $140,795. The vehicles are for the fire department.

Councilman Rachel Tinney asked why the vehicles were already in hand and in use, when council had not approved them yet.

“There was a timing issue. If we didn’t take them ... we would lose them,” said Solicitor Kevin Heban. “We accepted them, pending council’s approval. We have done that before.”

Ms. Eckel objected. “If that is the case, I don’t know why council couldn’t have been told,” she said. “We all have emails and phones.”

“Transparency is very important to me,” Ms. Tinney added. “I appreciate we need to move, but procedurally.”

The council also approved buying two 2025 Ford Interceptor SUVs from Reineke for $98,212.

Chief Kitzler said no vehicles were purchased last year, because of lack of availability.

Council also approved an ordinance to provide $40,000 to the Rossford Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s Balloon & Fireworks Event July 18-19.

An additional $40,000 was approved for Tetra Tech — for a total of $149,000 — for the Jennings Road storm sewer project, which is six to eight weeks behind schedule, because of necessary changes in the storm sewer alignment and a slower-than-expected installation progress.

The council also approved the Interstate Corridor plat off Lime City Road. Mayor Neil MacKinnon said a Taco Bell will be opening there.

Councilman Brenna Reynolds was absent.

First Published March 25, 2025, 10:58 p.m.