ODOT promises repair of garden

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Published: 6/18/2012 - Updated: 20 minutes ago

BY DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

The cracks that opened behind Merle Peoples and Jonathan Parsons' Northwood Avenue home have deepened during the 13 months or so since they first appeared, and the portion of the pair's garden between the cracks and the I-475 noise wall has sunk farther -- several feet farther.

But Mr. Peoples and Mr. Parsons say that so far, there is no evidence of any new cracking or settling closer to their house, and they're hopeful it will stay that way until whenever it is during the next year or so that the Ohio Department of Transportation comes in to back-fill the sunken area once a new freeway retaining wall is finished.

"This is over a year now with this, and it will be probably another year now for completion," Mr. Peoples said last week while surveying the damage behind his house. "Obviously, I wish it were done and over. Has it been an experience? It sure has."

Mr. Peoples readily concedes that most of the affected area of his garden -- an urban glade of flowers, ornamental trees, and brick pavers -- was inside the I-475 right-of-way line, so his main concern all along was that the cracks and subsidence not spread closer to his house.

He and Mr. Parsons say they have reached agreement with the department for it to have temporary access to two unbuilt lots within the three-lot parcel so it can restore the sunken earth after the retaining wall's completion.

Department officials declined to detail the settlement, saying there are still details to work out.

"Our real estate department is working with them," said Dennis Charvat, the project engineer for the state's ongoing I-475 widening project that includes the retaining wall.

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ODOT promises repair of garden