WARREN, Ohio - The City of Warren is looking to replace a large pedestrian bridge located in Packard Park.

Warren Engineering Director, Paul Makosky tells 21 News this bridge has been closed for five years and the city has been seeking money to replace it since.

According to the 2022 Annual Report from the Engineering Department, the 279-foot bridge was constructed in the early 1980s and closed in the winter of 2018 due to structural concerns.

MS Consultants is assisting in this project, securing funding, conducting studies and meeting with ODOT to discuss the environmental impacts of the project.

Warren Director of Safety & Services, Eddie Colbert says this is a roughly $1.2 million project, and about 80% of the project is funded by grants. The other 20% will come from the city. The allocation of the grant funds is expected to begin in 2024.

Additionally, the board discussed renovations to the interior of Warren's City Hall building. Colbert says the exterior has already been renovated and about 70% of the interior has been completed.

Completed work include HVAC system renovations, bathroom renovations, some paint and plaster work and window renovations. Colbert says there's still some plaster work to be done as well as carpet, door and wood renovations.