Background
Located in the geographic center of Bradford, Ohio, the Y-Yard site has a long history dating back to the mid-19th century when it was a major railroad hub. By 1890, the Village had grown to 1,338 residents, with the majority living in the Miami County portion of the community. Many of these residents chose to live in Bradford because of their association with the railroad. For a long time, the railroad was the Village’s major employer.
Today, the 27-acre site located in the Village’s geographic center is mostly vacant, having been the victim of numerous railroad reorganizations, a disastrous fire, and the declining use of railroads over the past century. The extent of ground contamination caused by earlier railroading activities (e.g. locomotive maintenance, fueling, etc.) is currently unknown and warrants further investigation before any development is formally considered.
Bradford’s population has also fluctuated from a high of 2,356 in 1920 to a population estimated in 2017 at 1,859. The Village is now the sole owner of the site on which a portion, at the southeast corner of East Main Street and North Miami Avenue, was improved as a public park.
A privately-owned museum dedicated to the history of the railroad is located within a renovated bank building adjacent to the site.
Renewed interest in the site has prompted Village officials to evaluate the potential for redevelopment.
Project Overview
This project will provide the Village with a plan that follows sounds planning principles and serves as a reflection of the community’s needs and desires concerning the future of both the community and the site.
As the Bradford Y-Yard Project progresses, the community will have the opportunity to review the Plan and provide comments or suggestions to the Project Team. All drafts of the Plan will be added to the Community Participation page of this website. Community members can also sign up to receive updates on the Plan and be notified when the Draft Plan is available for review .
Project Schedule
The Bradford Y-Yard Plan is scheduled to be completed in early 2020, with opportunities for public and stakeholder involvement throughout the process. Check back here for more opportunities for to be involved in the planning of the Y-Yard Site.
