PERRYSBURG – City residents who live in the area of a proposed roundabout are voicing their discontent with the idea.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, several residents expressed concern over increased traffic that will affect pedestrians and their own drivability in the area.
Council in June approved applying for a grant to fund the roundabout, which would be located at the intersection of Ohio 25 and U.S. 20.
If received, the federal grant will cover 80% of the $5.8 million project, with the remaining 20% ($1.116 million) paid for by the city.
City leaders have indicated the roundabout is needed to ensure the ability of the intersection, which is where West Boundary Street ends at West Front Street, can manage existing and future traffic loads.
Jacqueline Barchick said the roundabout plan is bad for non-motorists, specifically pedestrian safety, and neighbors.
Multi-land roundabouts pose problems for people with mobility issues to get across, she said.
“I strongly advocate for the pedestrians,” Barchick said. “I would like those concerns of the non-motorist and the environment in that space to be a prioritized consideration.”
Mayor Tom Mackin said the roundabout was in the very early stages and he appreciated hearing the concerns, which will be considered as the process moves forward.
“If there are better solutions, we will certainly consider those,” Mackin said.
Steve Haas said he was concerned that the roundabout will create more traffic issues, not lessen them.
He said the steady flow of traffic from the elimination of the stop light will make it impossible for residents in the tree streets to turn left onto Front Street.
“Being so close to that intersection, I’d never be able to take a left hand turn out of that area,” he said.
Haas predicted bigger traffic jams.
“What you thought you improved may end up being worse in the long term,” he said.
Mackin said those were legitimate concerns.
Katina Holland, who also lives on West Front Street, said traffic is never going to be better because of Maumee.
“We cannot fix the traffic in Maumee,” she said. “You can’t put it on Perrysburg. There really isn’t an issue there if everyone would just slow down.”
That intersection is the entrance to the city’s historic area and “that’s insane” to put a double industrial roundabout there, Holland said.
Barb Peters can see the intersection from her home and said she didn’t see an issue as the traffic keeps moving.
She did have an issue with pedestrians and bicyclists, who will be targeted with the roundabout.
Michael Peters, who lives on Fifth Street, said he wants to keep Perrysburg historic. He said the roundabout will impact where he walks his dog every day.
Mackin suggested he use the multi-use path that crosses Indiana Avenue.
“I don’t like crossing there,” Michael Peters said.
Former Councilwoman Deborah Born said there is no guarantee of money for the roundabout if the city is working with the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.
The grant is through TMACOG.
“If you are planning to start this project with the hope that you might get a grant from TMACOG, forget it,” Born said.
This is just one of the many items being evaluated by TMACOG regarding state funds, Mackin said.
The council took the names of everyone who spoke to contact them as the project moves forward.
Holland, who owns Katina’s Collection in the downtown shopping district, approached the podium several times to speak and questioned when businesses will learn the city’s plans for the downtown area including the removal of all the trees.
Mackin said there will be opportunities for business owners to offer input into the downtown plan, which is in the early phases.
“There will be plenty of chances for public opportunity to make suggestions, criticisms and make it better, which is the intent of this,” he said.
