By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Before any trees are planted, sidewalks poured or gazebo erected, Bowling Green officials want one question put to rest. Is there enough room for a new city building and an outdoor community gathering space to coexist on the same grassy square?Council President Michael Aspacher asked that the city consult with a design professional to determine if the site is large enough for both a building and town square large enough to satisfy the community’s needs.
Aspacher said at Tuesday’s council meeting that now is the time to “pause briefly” to make the determination before moving ahead. He referenced a community meeting last week on the green space which previously was home to the city’s junior high school, at the corner of West Wooster and South Church streets. While the meeting was productive, there are questions remaining, Aspacher said.
Council member Bruce Jeffers agreed.
“It seems like a reasonable approach,” he said, suggesting that some building schematics could help clarify questions.
However, city resident Margaret Montague reminded council about a comment made at last week’s public meeting about trying to squeeze both the building and town square into one corner. The result could be “a big building with a big front yard,” she said, quoting from council member Robert McOmber.
McOmber repeated those sentiments Tuesday evening.
“I would be quite surprised,” if the space was big enough for both.
“I think most people in town want it to be green space, no matter what,” McOmber said.
Council member Sandy Rowland agreed that she would prefer to see the space remain green. She reminded of other options available for a city building such as the site formerly used for the school central administration building. “Personally, I would like to see an existing building used to save our taxpayers millions of dollars.”
Rowland said several community members have made it “crystal clear” that they would like the West Wooster space to remain green.
Another resident voiced her opinion that the city should move its offices into the existing Huntington Bank Building. “It would be a whole lot cheaper than building from the ground up,” she said.
Resident Bill Herald suggested that council consider reconvening the committee making recommendations on the site.
Aspacher said the purpose for the design work is to answer remaining questions about the best use of the site.
“I just think that’s going to provide to us some clarity,” he said. “It’s important for us to be deliberate and consider all the possibilities.”
