By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Parking isn’t quite at a premium in Bucyrus and local business owners are well aware of that fact.
Chris Gasuras, owner of Little Athens, sent a letter to the Bucyrus City Council outlining his plans to grow the business, but he noted one major setback – parking. Gasuras made proposals for parking changes that would, he believed, help out not only his business, but also those in the 200 and 300 block of North Sandusky Avenue.
Barbara Ley, of Ley’s Jewelry, also expressed concern to council member Wanda Sharrock over the lack of parking due to more people renting out the apartments above the businesses.
“We’re getting more people living downtown,” Mayor Jeff Reser acknowledged. “I don’t think it’s a huge issue like – I’m dating myself – back when we had meter maids . . . (but) the parking issue is rearing its head again.”
Reser noted that the blocks just north of the railroad tracks deal with a lot of congestion with Little Athens, Ley’s Jewelry, Baker’s Pizza, Kennedy Lane Salon, and Bucyrus NAPA Fisher Auto Parts all on the same block. Though the apartments are being rented, Reser said it raised the question of where the renters should park their vehicles and whether they should be allowed to use up the limited number of downtown parking spots.
The matter was put into the Health and Safety Committee and referred to the Traffic Commission for further discussion.
The Lion’s Field became an issue for council once again, but this time the focus was on the poor condition of the fields.
Councilman Steve Pifer, who had been vocal about the cost of replacing the fences, said he still had concerns over the $39,000 price tag. He believed something else should be done at the fields to justify the cost, such as putting in proper drainage to avoid flooding issues.
Council member Dan Wirebaugh wanted some type of agreement in place between the city and organizations that use city park areas like Lions Field or the disc golf course. He noted that the grass had been ripped out at the former Babe Ruth field for a past softball tournament, thus leading to the issue of flooding, and beer bottles were left in Aumiller Park after a disc golf event was held.
Reser believed the matter really centered on being able to have funds to maintain any of the park areas.
“If we had money in there to make some improvements . . . I think we can avoid some of these issues,” Reser said.
The matter of Lions Field was put back into the Public Lands and Buildings Committee and added to the Finance Committee.
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Reser announced that the gate is open at Pines Reservoir. He added that a group has volunteered to clean up around the reservoir routinely, an option that he is taking under advisement.
Reser will be hosting a Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon at noon on May 11 at Holy Trinity. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine will be the guest speaker and funds raised will benefit BORN.