| BG citizens push to save downtown green space |
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| Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor | ||
| Tuesday, 19 March 2013 09:46 | ||
Sunset Drive resident Wally Pretzer and West Wooster Street resident Gail Nader told council the green space created by the demolition is an asset and suggested the city not follow through with long-range plans to build a new city building on the site. Pretzer said the open space shows off some of the historic homes on West Wooster Street and gives the city a square, found in Ohio communities such as Medina, Bryan and Hudson. "Bowling Green needs a city square for things like a band stand, a gazebo, maybe a mural on the side of the First Presbyterian Church. Some sidewalks and benches would be nice, it could be used for space for art displays and maybe by the Black Swamp Arts Festival," Pretzer said. "I second the remarks that the area needs to remain green space," Nader said. "I think we need to examine this very closely. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said. Nader also took the opportunity to suggest a change to the no parking zone on South Grove Street near the Wooster intersection. She said there is a safety issue with vehicles getting around parked cars so close to the stop sign. "There are also some disgusting houses on the north side of West Wooster that need to be cleaned up. The backyards have been a problem since at least 1998. They need to get on the list for some attention," Nader said. At-Large Council Member Sandy Rowland suggested a council committee to study the issue but after brief discussion Fourth Ward rep Greg Robinette said the present council needs to do some homework on why the site was chosen for a city building. "People spent a tremendous amount of time, that's the foundation. It does not mean that is where we will head, but we all need to understand the history before we continue the discussion," Robinette said. Municipal Administrator John Fawcett told council there is "a considerable amount of information" officials can share with council. The first discussions date to 2005 and most council members were not in office. "After you have had a chance to review this material, then schedule a meeting," Fawcett said. In addition to more than a dozen trees planted on the site last fall, Fawcett said plans call for installation of some benches and a rock with a plaque commemorating the site as a former school building. Mayor Richard Edwards said details are being worked out to have a representative from the Ohio Historical Society in Bowling Green in early April to discuss details for historic preservation efforts. Edwards has several times promoted the idea of a historic district around the Wood County Courthouse. |
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Comments
Instead, take the area where they are demolishing the old ketchup factory and do something with that. It's unsightly and would also make a nice park/green space.
Stop the development !
The Huntington Bank building I referred to was across the street from Panera Bread. Just a few hundred feet from the VERY HEART of B.G., Main and Wooster.
I think a bandstand/gazebo would be a great improvement over an institutional building.
Just wait until the grass is green and the trees are in full bloom.
Something that the nay-sayers aren't taking into account (apart perhaps from a perverse hatred of anything that has the word "green" in it) is that it was truly hard to visualize the potential of this land when the old school building was hulking there. I know that the church strongly prefers the open space there now.
Methinks, John, that you merely see red when ever anyone says "green."
Bank drive-thru ATM.
Think of it more like "Bowling Green Common"
People dont realize the crippling affect of things like the courthouse being on the east end of town have on a small downtown when all of the employees could be downtown through the day.
Lets save money, not spend money, on luxuries. City Government is not to be a burden on the city and tax payers.
Let the green space remain, allow citizen groups to maintain and build upon it with suggested ideas.
Lets not spend money when we are STILL in uncertain times in this great town. Once business starts to boom once again (if ever), we will have more opportunities.
Keep green space. Don't build new building. Keep BG in good financial footing.
Sorry for grammar and spelling issues. typing quickly as I am walking out the door!
Gee, I guess I might be OLD.
Let's just declare everything a national landmark with historical significance, shellac it all, and put in on our collective mantle so we can pat ourselves on the back.
Honestly we have 3 very nice parks all within about a mile of that location. I understand if you think that the new building should have a sizable setback to preserve some of the space, but let's be realistic and move on. The new admin building is going there, deal with it.
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