By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two Bowling Green citizens brought their concerns about fire and flooding to City Council Monday evening.
Faith Elsea told council about high water after heavy rains in her neighborhood, and David Neuendorf expressed dismay about a building gutted by fire two years ago still not being cleaned up.
Elsea said she lived at the corner of the “West Merry and Fairview river.”
“When we get really bad rains, I need a boat,” she told council. “There’s so much water that comes up so high.”
Elsea said she frequently cleans the stormwater grates near her home, but that doesn’t seem to help.
At her request, a city crew put cameras into the drainage pipes to look for the problem. But she never heard if they identified the issue.
“Something needs to be done,” Elsea said.
Council President Mark Hollenbaugh assured the city would look into the drainage issue.
“We will take it from here,” he said.
Neuendorf voiced his concerns about an apartment complex heavily damaged by a fire in June of 2024. The charred complex, called Village Court North, at 311 Parkview Ave., has not been cleaned up, he said, calling it “urban blight.”
“I consider this unacceptable,” he said.
A fence surrounds the complex, which is owned by HUD, but operated by Harbor, providing services for consumers of Wood County Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Services.
“I’m disappointed,” Neuendorf said. “We’re looking at two years and nothing has been done.”
Two City Council members – Hollenbaugh and Jordan Musgrave – live in the manufactured home park just to the east of the burned out apartment complex.
“I step outside and see it every day,” Musgrave said.
City Council member Jeff Dennis assured the city is aware of the problem, and is working to take care of the structure.
City Attorney Hunter Brown said legal issues are holding up the demolition of the structures – but enforcement actions have been started by the city.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, City Council:
- Recognized former City Council member Greg Robinette for his years of service and his continuing commitment to the community.
- Heard from Debbie Thompson about the appointment of herself, Rodna Bordner and Zach Hayes to the 2026 Walking College, a project of America Walks. The program is designed to build local capacity and support of walking as a form of transportation, exercise and mental well-being.
- Learned Chipotle had filed for a liquor permit for a new location at 1175 S. Main St.
- Heard from Amanda Gamby, director of communications for Bowling Green, about changes to the city’s website that should make it easier for users to navigate. She also reported on the native plant program with the Friends of the Wood County Park District. Of the 700 plant vouchers requested by city residents, 692 were used during the recent native plant program.
- Heard a report from Brian O’Connell, city utilities and infrastructure director, on the recently completed electric cost of service study. The Board of Public Utilities is expected to take action on the recommendations next week.
