Dover investing $3.3 million in north-end infrastructure improvements

More than $3 million is being invested in infrastructure improvements in the north end of Dover to prepare that area for future development.

The improvements include construction of a new retention pond between Interstate 77 and the R.J. Corman railroad tracks; construction of 3,500 feet of storm water lines; widening and improving Crown Road and installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Crown Road and North Wooster Avenue; and installation of a new culvert under the R.J. Corman rail line to eliminate flooding on Crown Road.

The storm water project will cost around $1.7 million, and the Crown Road improvements will cost around $1.6 million, according to Dover Mayor Shane Gunnoe.

All of the projects are expected to be completed sometime this summer.

The work has been spurred by construction of a manufacturing facility by the Schaeffler Group USA on 5 acres of ground along North Wooster Avenue (formerly the Streb farm). The company provides components for drivetrains in automotive, aerospace and industrial applications.

The company is expected to employ up to 450 when the project is completed in 2027.

Funding for the infrastructure improvements comes from $2.7 million from several state agencies; $300,000 from commissioners and the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corp; and between $200,000 and $300,000 from the city of Dover.

“Everybody saw these issues and realized we needed to address these issues that have accumulated over many years,” Gunnoe said. “It's really a nice partnership in terms of these projects between multiple state agencies, the county commissioners, the Tuscarawas Economic Development Corp., the city of Dover, and also the village of Parral, who is allowing us to work in their rights-of-way and address some of these issues.”

The mayor said the projects should encourage the prospect for development on the north end of the city.

“The retention pond that we're building has the ability to take on additional growth in years into the future,” he said. “The collection system, all of those things that we're putting in place as far as infrastructure, road improvements, all of those things make the far north end of Dover more attractive. We're continuing to see growth in that area, both along the East Ohio Avenue corridor, as well as to the north of the Schaeffler site, with some new housing developments on St. Peters Church Road.

“So, that area is an area that has been growing for many years and probably is going to continue to grow in the future.”