A committee will be formed to discuss creating a better experience for visitors to the Monroe County Courthouse and Monroe City Hall.
Tuesday night, commissioners learned from city officials that a proposal by Spire Development to build a portion of its affordable housing complex on a county owned parking lot has been postponed to allow the developer and the city more time to meet requirements of a state grant it is seeking on behalf of the Columbus, Ohio, firm to fund the project.
The city council held a special meeting last week to discuss specifics of Spire’s proposal and agreed that Spire’s timeline to meet the April 1 deadline was too aggressive. The city will look to meet the next grant application deadline set for Oct. 1, Pastue said. The council also expressed a desire to open the site up for bids from other developers.
Spire’s proposal to build its complex on three lots surrounding the existing Central Fire Station at 75 Scott St. is still on the table, Pastue said.
Among the requirements needed from the city to complete the application is acquiring the county lot at the corner of Wadsworth and E. First Sts. The lot contains 32 parking spots used by county employees and persons on jury duty. The city pledged to work with the county to provide 32 spaces elsewhere in the downtown.
Commissioners expressed support for selling the lot at its last meeting when the proposal first surfaced.
County Administrator Michael Bosanac said the proposal has spurred an effort to broaden the scope and vision for the government center and making it more accessible to the public.
He suggested a work group that could explore the possibilities over an 8- to 10-block area around the center and coordinate that with the city’s parking designs.
“We’re looking at convenience and making the customer experience of getting in and out of the Courthouse better,” the administrator said.
He noted that E. First St. has two lanes of traffic heading east, but questioned whether two lanes are needed. Instead, he suggested that perhaps angle parking be added to provide more parking spaces for visitors to the Courthouse or city hall.
J. Henry Lievens, county board chairman, said approval of the work group committee could be acted on at the next meeting Feb. 19. Bosanac said he would likely draft a letter recommending what administrators and local officials would serve on the panel.
Commissioner Mark Brant recalled a former committee that served two years ago that launched discussions on parking and improving access.
Commissioner David Hoffman said he was looking forward to some “deck parking.” But Bosanac said that’s not what he envisions.