By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Efforts to relieve a traffic bottleneck at Conneaut Elementary School have raised concerns about traffic being shifted over to City Park. But city officials are assuring that they will make sure the impact to City Park is minimal.
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher said Tuesday evening that the city will monitor the impact of the new one-way gravel roadway and adjust it if necessary.
In preparation for students returning to classrooms, Bowling Green City School Superintendent Francis Scruci said Conneaut Principal Alyssa Karaffa expressed concerns about increased traffic congestion from more parents transporting their students to and from the schools due to COVID-19.
Working with the city, an extension of Faye Avenue – the dead-end street just to the east of the elementary – is being constructed into neighboring City Park.
Drivers can enter the one-way gravel road through City Park, drop off their children at the entrance closest to the school cafeteria, then exit onto Conneaut Avenue. The extension will be gated, so it can only be used on weekdays from 8:15 to 9 a.m., and from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.
During a school board meeting Tuesday evening, Scruci praised the city for partnering with the school district on the project.
But during a City Council meeting Tuesday evening, council member Jeff Dennis questioned the “unilateral action” taken by the city that will route more traffic through City Park.
Aspacher said he consulted the city’s parks director, public works director and safety director, then made the decision.
“It was my decision. I approved it,” he said. “It was in my purview as mayor to make this decision.”
Aspacher reminded council of his promise to support partners in the community – especially during the pandemic.
“It was operationally an appropriate action,” he said.
Dennis said he agreed that building partnerships is important, but voiced concern about the effect of the additional vehicle traffic on pedestrians who use City Park.
Aspacher said the city will monitor the impact, and be mindful of City Park patrons. He also noted that the one-way route from the park to the school only be opened for brief periods in the morning and afternoon.
Council member Bill Herald, who lives on Conneaut Avenue, applauded the effort to relieve the bottleneck at the school.
“I want to commend you for taking a look at it and giving it a shot,” he said. “I’m kind of excited to see how it works out.”
The school district has agreed to pay for the materials to construct the pilot road, and the city will provide the labor.
The gate between the park and school will be controlled by the school district so it will be open only during student drop-offs and pick-ups, according to Assistant Municipal Administrator Joe Fawcett.
Fawcett said traffic congestion has been a problem at the elementary at the corner of Conneaut and Haskins roads. City officials hope this pilot road will improve traffic at the school with minimal impact to the park, he said. Adjustments will be made if needed.
“I think this is one of those situations where we’re going to have to take a ‘wait and see’ approach,” Fawcett said.
