Dover to construct stormwater system to pave way for construction of Schaeffler plant

DOVER ‒ Dover City Council has authorized Service Director Dave Douglas to enter into contracts for a stormwater system on the north end of the city — the last step needed by the city to prepare the way for construction of the Schaeffler Group plant .

The system is expected to cost around $1.5 million, with the majority of the money coming from grants from the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor's Office of Appalachia.

The Schaeffler plant, which will manufacture electric beam axles and electric drivetrain systems to support the hybrid/EV industry, is expected to bring 450 jobs to the area.

Mayor Shane Gunnoe said the stormwater system will capture rainwater that runs off into the field off of North Wooster Avenue where the plant will be located. The city will lay around 4,200 feet of pipe to divert the water to a city-owned retention pond on the south side of the property.

Other council action

• Council approved $4,000 to settle an eminent domain suit filed against Bradley D. Swinderman of 324 E. 20th St. to secure a portion of his property for the East 20th Street bridge project. The city originally appropriated $8,230 to purchase the property, which is its appraised value. The city has reached a settlement with Swinderman, which calls for the additional $4,000 for the land.
• Dover has installed a communication board at the Dover City Park playground. The board is designed with visuals and graphics to help children and adults communicate with their peers. The Ruth Carlson Foundation and other project supporters donated the board at no cost to the city.
• The next Food Truck Thursday at Dover City Park is scheduled for July 25. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The 45th annual Dover City Farmers Market opened on July 11. It will run from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Thursday until Sept. 26. It is located at Dover City Park near Field No. 1.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dover to construct stormwater system to pave way for construction of Schaeffler plant