By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As Bowling Green City Council members Monday debated their goals for next year, they talked about jobs well done, projects plodding ahead, and others spinning their wheels.
The city has made measurable progress on street repairs, adopted an updated zoning plan, and moved into a new city administration building.
But during their strategic planning meeting for 2024, council members also talked about areas that are at a standstill. Their patience has run out with landlords who have failed to meet new rental regulations. “We’ve waived tens of millions of dollars in fines,” from landlords who haven’t complied, said Jeff Dennis.
And the Gateway project, intended to create a multi-use building corridor in the area along East Wooster Street between the university and the downtown, hasn’t budged.
“That’s gotten us absolutely nowhere,” Greg Robinette said of council setting the project as a goal for 2023.
The key to the Gateway project is to first find a new location for the East Side fire station, he said. “No one is going to look at that area for development while there is an active fire station there,” Robinette said.
Also at Monday’s strategic planning meeting, City Council agreed to allocate $300,000 of the remaining $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding. The members agreed to set aside:
- $150,000 for sidewalks.
- Up to $100,000 for a design study/traffic analysis for downtown, and engineering/design study of Main Street from Napoleon Road to Newton Road for bike lanes, shared use paths, or other infrastructure to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
- Up to $50,000 for a pilot recycling and composting program in the downtown.
Hollenbaugh suggested that $500,000 be saved for cost overruns for previously funded ARPA projects.
After much debate, council members narrowed their strategic planning to the following goals for 2024:
Neighborhood revitalization – Continue to focus on neighborhood revitalization efforts and implementation of CAP related initiatives.
- Ensure rental regulations are adequately enforced in 2024.
- Increased emphasis on streets, sidewalks, and drainage.
- Improve sidewalk quality throughout the city, such as recommended by the city’s sidewalk commission.
- Secure funding for the Crim School to Carter Park shared use path.
Zoning issues
- Update the subdivision regulation involving occupancy limits .
Complete Streets
- Adopt a Complete Streets ordinance.
- Complete a design study/traffic analysis for downtown as called for in the Future Land Use Plan.
- Contract for an engineering/design study on Main Street from Napoleon Road to Newton Road to add a combination of protected on-street bicycle lanes and/or shared use paths and to evaluate other infrastructure to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Sustainability
- Create a downtown pilot recycling/composting program.
- Increase energy efficiency and renewable energy generation
Advance the Gateway project – The project will create a multi-use building corridor in the area along East Wooster Street between the university and the downtown – specifically between Thurstin/Manville and Enterprise streets.
- Find a new location for the East Side fire station.
Mayor Mike Aspacher also presented his ideas to City Council, with a reminder that several projects are already underway:
- Creating an enhanced exterior housing maintenance code.
- Analysis of the city’s code enforcement services.
- Implementation of the new zoning code, with a review of the city’s subdivision requirements.
- Continue rental registrations and inspections.
- Discuss capital projects, such as new or renovated facilities for police and fire divisions.
- Continue infrastructure improvements, like resurfacing Gypsy Lane Road, installing pedestrian beacons at Maple Street and West Wooster Street, and making waterline improvements in the Village subdivision.
- Work on Downtown Forward project – with the first report being presented to City Council later this month.
- Focus on economic development, including creation of more housing, plus attraction and retention of diverse businesses.
- Continue efforts with the Gateway Development.
