6/12/2009 5:57:00 AM
Sen. Buehrer tries to save angled parking
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| State Senator Steve Buehrer |
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BY TIMES BULLETIN and WIRE REPORTS
Local business owners have been concerned for months over the implementation of the downtown Streetscape plan because of a reconfiguration of parking on W. Main St. The plan called for the angled parking on the south side of the street to be removed and replaced by parallel parking spots, causing the city to lose seven slots in the process. Those concerns were heard by one of the area's state elected officials and he is trying to do something about the issue.
State Senator Steve Buehrer (R-Delta) recently secured an amendment to the Senate version of House Bill 1-the state operating budget for fiscal years 2010-2011-that would preserve angled parking in the City of Van Wert and other local communities across Ohio. This amendment is key to preserving business activity and jobs in downtown Van Wert.
Over the past several weeks, Sen. Buehrer has heard from city officials, business owners and several residents who are concerned this change would not only limit the availability of parking in town but could impact the future success of local businesses and the area economy.
"While I support efforts to revitalize downtown Van Wert and other cities across Ohio, ODOT should leave decisions about parking up to community leaders, who know first hand the impact this change could have on the success of local businesses, job development, traffic safety and the vitality of the area," said Buehrer.
Local officials and business owners could not agree more.
"The general consensus is that we are very pleased," said Seth Baker, the director of Main Street, Inc. "I think it is probably going to take some work on our parts to get other communities to talk to their senators to get the amendment to pass. But any way we can work to alleviate the parking problem in Van Wert is welcome."
"We are very happy but we are trying to get everyone to support us on this," said Jodi Ray, owner of NEXT. "This is a big deal to the small businesses in town, especially if we are going to keep building our downtown area."
Sen. Buehrer's amendment would ensure that no angled parking space that is located on a state route within a municipality could be eliminated unless the change is approved by the community. Of course HB1 has not been approved yet so work still needs to be done to bring it to the attention of the other legislators in Columbus.
"I will work in the coming weeks, as HB 1 is discussed and debated in conference committee, to build support for this amendment and ensure it remains a part of the bill," Buehrer added.
"I would like to thank Sen. Buehrer for listening to the concerns of the people of Van Wert and working to get this important amendment in the state budget bill," said Van Wert Mayor Louis Ehmer. "Keeping angled parking in downtown Van Wert is key to preserving the character of our community, maximizing the availability of parking in town and keeping businesses and jobs in the area."
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