BG still plans green space at school site - Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune

BG still plans green space at school site

Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor

Tuesday, 17 July 2012 09:47

File photo. DJ Kunkle uses a tractor to grade the property where the former Bowling Green Junior High once sat. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

The open space created by the demolition of the former Bowling Green High School/Junior High building on West Wooster Street will be green space "for the foreseeable future."
Municipal Administrator John Fawcett told city council Monday night the city has no plans other than to get grass growing on the parcel. He said the city's public works department will be working on installing irrigation lines to help get the grass growing.
The lot has been seeded and covered with straw but the lack of rainfall and heat has slowed progress.
"We know there have been a lot of rumors. We have no plans to develop a parking lot on the site," Fawcett said.
As to any future use other than green space, Fawcett said the community will continue to have ample opportunity to comment. He said many citizens have already shared their thoughts with city officials.
Fawcett noted that an ad hoc committee appointed by former mayor John Quinn had recommended a new city building be constructed on the site. With the economic downturn the city placed the city building plans on hold. Fawcett indicated that once the former Central Administration building at 140 S. Grove St. is demolished, the city may begin to look again at the long-term future use of the two properties.
Work to demolish the Central Administration has begun with crews constructing a fence around the site. The city's contract calls for the site to be leveled by fall.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 July 2012 10:38

Comments

# 2012-07-17 12:46

This is not the time to start a newgrass bed. You should have waited until the last two weeks of Auhust or the first part of September. It won't grow. they couls have waited until then. I do think BG needs another parking lot for the downtown business district. I see no reason why that can't happen.

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# 2012-07-17 15:59

I'll agree that extra parking would come in handy during the festival and car show weekends. In the long-term, a new city building seems best for the location. I would hope they consider using some of the land near the Central Admin building for a small park. Even keeping the existing green field the Jr. High used would be enough.

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# 2012-07-18 14:34

Fyi: the "old field" next to the old Administration bldg was purchased by the First Presbyterian church and will remain a green space and neighborhood park.

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# 2012-07-17 16:13

More parking is the last thing we need. There are way too many cars in BG already. How about a nice little park with a community garden? Instead of planting grass, plant some trees and native plants.

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# 2012-07-19 13:11

That's not a bad idea. Who will look after the garden?

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# 2012-07-18 09:53

There are already two parking lots at that intersection. One hardly ever has anything parked in it (maybe Frontier could share???). The other one, for the city vehicles, was less than half full when I went by this morning. I think a community garden is a WONDERFUL idea - it would especially help make downtown a more attractive place to live. But there are a lot of more sustainable, creative and attractive things the city could do with that space than plant grass. For what it will cost to water and mow next summer the city could probably get a local landscaper to plant native grasses and wildflowers.

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# 2012-07-19 13:13

Frontieis private property!
The parks an recs could plant natives????????

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# 2012-07-18 10:57

I like the idea of a walk thru garden. Should be no problem getting community minded folks to VOLUNTEER their time and materials to make this happen. Public Works has the equipment to water plants and grasses. No need to through money at local landscapers.

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# 2012-07-18 15:30

An open air farmers market shelter would look cool and be a good thing for the downtown!It'd help promote local bussinesses, farmers, vendors, and it'd just look good. It'd add to the community and it'd be inexpensive to build. It could be something that draws more venders to the farmers market and in turn drawing more people. We could be known around the area for having a sweet farmers market!Here are some websites that have pictures of outdoor farmers market shelters in their communities. There are a lot of cities that do this and it'd be an awesome addition to Bowling Green!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillsborough/2335088003/

http://www.southhavenfarmmarket.com/SHFM/About.html

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# 2012-07-19 13:17

That sounds good but they just planted grass seed. You would have to add a lot of cement or block squares rather than grass. Maybe walk-ways.

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# 2012-07-18 15:30

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# 2012-07-20 01:35

Farmers style market sounds fanatic

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