Many thanks are due to our City Council for months of hard work on the zoning code update. No doubt everyone involved is glad that the new code has been approved. The majority of citizens who weighed in on the process are ecstatic that permitting of new duplexes in our central neighborhoods was removed by unanimous vote.
The group formerly referred to as the Save our BG Neighborhoods group has changed its name to BG STRONG. Our group wants to extend thanks to all citizens who emailed and called our public officials to voice diverse concerns, insights, and opinions on the numerous details of the code. We all played a role in the challenging process of “getting it right.” Indeed, this process can serve as an object lesson in effective grassroots organizing. It is a blessing to realize that neighbors can still come together, discuss issues productively, and join forces to advance common concerns.
We believe it was this concerted effort that resulted in a Council responsive to the prevailing community viewpoint: that the older central residential neighborhoods should not be further relegated to housing modifications for business interests, but protected through zoning to provide future homeowners with opportunities in this central district while retaining its historic character.
Our group plans to stay active. BG STRONG members will advocate for improving the appearance of the city’s residential neighborhoods by monitoring code enforcement, engaging with property owners and urging city council to enact stronger exterior code and rental property inspection regulations. This will include advocating for the collection of fines associated with code violations and the use of monies collected to directly improve neighborhood infrastructure. We also will seek to build on Bowling Green’s many assets improving walkability with new sidewalks, green paths and crosswalks, growing our urban forest and advocating for access to green space, all of which will improve the health and vitality of our community. We will also work towards a shared responsibility with BGSU with respect to student housing and student responsibility towards our community infrastructure and its citizens.
BG STRONG believes that development of Mixed Use Neighborhood (MUN) zones should be a community-driven effort. We will urge city officials to form a committee of persons in and near these neighborhoods to participate and influence their development. In the future, this level of community involvement should be a standard practice for any legislation that might be anticipated to have a significant effect on the character of any neighborhood in the city.
We are forming a non-profit community development corporation to be named Bowling Green Save Our Neighborhoods Group. Among the goals of the organization will be increasing the number of affordable single-family homes in the city and assisting homeowners who are on a fixed income with housing repair.
We welcome and need input from residents and participation in these activities. To get involved or to request information, please reach out by email to bowlinggreenstrong@gmail.com. Visit our Facebook page, currently still at Save Our BG Neighborhoods, for updates.
Christen Giblin
Kathleen Dennis
Joe Solus
Winnie and Bob Rex
David and Rose Drain
Sue Midden
Tom Knox
Anesa Miller
Emily Dunipace
Sandy Wicks
Steve and Beth Ricard
Faith Olson-Elsea
Ross Mazzupappa
Christine Humble
Penny Evans-Myer
Joyce Kepke
Vassiliki Leontis
Elizabeth Burroughs
Yale Sussman
David J. Neuendorff
Andrea Van Vorhis
John Sampen
Marilyn Shrude
David Pfleger
Lori Young
Jan Knape
Sue and Les Barber
