062011 Local residents speak out on partial closure of Gasche Street
By Sharon Haught
June 14, 2011
298
Summary: Residents took the opportunity to express their views on the College of Woosters proposal to close the portion of Gasche Street between University Street and Wayne Avenue during a pair of public meetings on June 6.
When Wooster City Councilman Jon Ulbright invited the public to voice their opinions on the College of Woosters proposal to close the portion of Gasche Street between University Street and Wayne Avenue at a June 6 meeting of the Infrastructure Committee, over 90 local residents took him up on the offer.
During the hour long meeting and for nearly as long during City Councils regular session, the members of the standing room only crowd expressed their viewpoints on the colleges proposal to turn the portion of Gasche Street which runs between the Wooster Inn and the colleges power plant into a green space for members of the campus community and local residents to enjoy.
After College of Wooster President Grant Cornwell presented introductory remarks, the College of Woosters Jackie Middleton provided a brief re-cap of the colleges vision for the proposed green space and how it addressed a concern the college has had for years about the safety of drivers and pedestrians from the community and the college that traverse the rough, unimproved street.
Most of the residents spoke in favor of keeping Gasche Street open in order to preserve one of the few north/south arteries in that portion of town and the only north/south street connecting the area to Wooster Community Hospital other than Beall Avenue.
Many spoke of the inconvenience to those who currently use that portion of Gasche Street who would have to use another unimproved road - Palmer Street - or Beall Avenue, which many noted can become very congested during meal times, class dismissal times and special events at the college.
While many of those who spoke noted that no one disputed College of Woosters value to the community and applauded the colleges desire to improve the area most were looking for another alternative to solve the safety issues related to this portion of Gasche Street.
Most of those suggestions centered around improving rather than closing the street.
According to City Engineer Joel Montgomery the engineering estimate to improve the entire length of Gasche Street with curbs, gutters, storm sewers, sidewalks, street widening and pavement improvement is just over $2.6 million.
Due to limitations on the use of state funding, little if any of those costs could be offset by state grants, leaving the city or local residents to pay the bill.
The colleges petition to close the one block stretch of Gasche Street was introduced Ulbright during councils May 16 meeting and received its second of three required readings during councils June 6 session. Council was originally expected to take final action on the measure during its June 20 meeting.
When Ward 2 Council Representative Barb Knapic, who represents the ward in which the street is located, indicated that she will be unable to attend the June 20 meeting and wished to be present for the final vote, council voted unanimously to table the legislation until councils July 5 meeting.
In the mean time Ulbright urged interested citizens to make their voices heard.
He also thanked those in attendance for speaking your mind.
One of the reasons I wanted to have this open meeting is to give people a chance to air their views, said Ulbright adding I can assure you your comments are being heard.
Im listening hard and I know my colleagues are and I know city council is, said Cornwell.
I hate to hear the acrimony this is causing between the citizens of Wooster and the college and the city council. We try to be good neighbors and we think that youre good neighbors, said Cornwell. Were here listening and well continue to listen and work with the city on the best resolution.
