By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green is looking for a green light on one of its two plans for the Wooster Green space being developed in the downtown.
On Wednesday, July 19, local residents are invited to a program at the library, where both plans will be described, comments will be sought, and questions will be answered.
“Obviously, the committee has worked very diligently on coming up with concepts,” said Bob Callecod, co-chair of the publicity and marketing committee for Wooster Green. “We want to know if we’re on the right track.”
All of the meetings on the green space have been open to the public, but very few citizens have attended.
So the presentation at 4 p.m., in the Wood County District Public Library meeting room, 251 N. Main St., is intended to seek out public opinion on the project.
“We would like the public’s response to these proposals,” Callecod said. “We want to make it clear that nothing is in stone at this point.”
The two final design options will remain on display in the library until July 27, so people can continue to study and comment on them. Also, starting July 19, a link will be active on the city’s website (www.bgohio.org) for citizens to use to offer input.
Both of the two final design options for the 1.2-acre green space where the old junior high used to sit include three features. There will be a stone arched entry at the corner of West Wooster and South Church streets. There will be a 20 by 30 foot octagon shaped pavilion for performances or gatherings. And there will be a display area for public art – possibly a sculpture.
Beyond that, the two plans are quite different, with one being symmetrical, with walkways creating an “X” in the green space. The other design has more meandering walkways that curve across the green.
The plans will be presented Wednesday by Troy Sonner, with Poggemeyer Design Group. The firm is doing the Wooster Green design for free as part the business’ 50th anniversary gift to the community.
Sonner is expected to have three-dimensional computer drawings of the two designs to help citizens envision the plans. Those designs will also be put on the city’s website, where comments will be solicited.
The goal is to have the design decided by the beginning of August, so fundraising brochures can be created by Aug. 15.
