By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The city of Bowling Green is still looking for a home for municipal offices. That’s what worries some residents, who don’t want to see the city’s new home built on the green space where the old junior high used to sit.
City council has not addressed the issue since mid-April, when a consultant presented plans for a new city building sharing the green space area.
So Monday evening, citizen Carol Kinsey asked council where the plans stand for the open space.
Council president Mike Aspacher explained that there had been “no development.” The mayor and city administration are looking at all the alternatives for a new city building. He asked that citizens “be patient,” and added that the citizens’ support of saving the green space has not gone unnoticed.
“We get that. We understand that,” Aspacher said.
Council member Sandy Rowland assured that once the issue moves out of the council committee, public input will again be sought.
“There’s a lot of interest in what’s happening,” Rowland said.
Wood Lane home sits just north of city administration building.
One option to give the city offices more space occurred recently when Wood Lane officials asked if the city would be interested in buying the house just to the north of the city building on North Church Street. The house is used as a group home for individuals with developmental disabilities.
“That house is certainly available,” said Mayor Dick Edwards. But the city has no plans to purchase the property, he added. “We have no immediate need for it.”
Aspacher said “a very brief conversation” was held about the property and an appraisal was going to be done since Wood Lane would be able to sell the site to another governmental agency for the appraisal price.
The city briefly considered using the site for additional parking. But Aspacher said he does not like the idea of tearing down a quality older home like the Wood Lane home.
“Just speaking for myself, I’m a little bit tired of tearing down buildings,” Aspacher said.
Edwards echoed that sentiment.
“I appreciate the fact that it has a long history there,” he said of the home.
The mayor reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the city building in the downtown area.
“We’re looking at a range of possible options,” he said. But he also explained that he is not in favor of the green space option.
“I have no desire to put a building on the site over there,” Edwards said. “I don’t see that as advantageous. I see such great value to the downtown area to have a green space.”
Edwards said he is still interested in the old Huntington Bank building as an “obvious” option. “So little of the building is actually being used,” he said.
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said the city is continuing its search. “Council is looking and considering all options at this point.”
Any purchase of real estate must go before council for discussion and a vote, Tretter added.
