State Route 43 Improvements with Right-of-Way Acquisition

The City of Solon hired DLZ to conduct right-of-way acquisition services for the widening improvements to State Route 43 (Aurora Road) from the SR 91 intersection to Andrew Lane. The improvements included new pavement, curbs, sidewalks, drainage, a new waterline, signage, lighting, and traffic signal installations over a mile-long corridor. The project also includes a 10’ multi-purpose path on the south side of Aurora Road.

DLZ conducted a variety of acquisition services, including title research, title updates, project management, negotiation, and closing for 78 parcels. The scope of the project also included:

• Developing impact notes
• PE-95 appraisal completion
• Establishment of the FMVE
• Establishing possible mortgage release parcels early in the project

DLZ began the acquisition work in September 2020 and will complete it in June 2021, on an accelerated schedule of 10 months to allow the City of Solon to obtain ROW clearance and advertise for construction. There was 30 permanent parcel takes (warranty deed) and 69 temporaries from a wide variety of properties, including residential, commercial, and a homeowner’s association. The appraisal ranged from Value Analyses to Summary Judgements with the values ranging from as little as $300 to $53,000.