071811 (Print Version) Council decides Gasche Streets fate
By Sharon Haught
July 13, 2011
323
Summary: Before adjourning for their one month summer recess, the members of Wooster City Council made their decision on the College of Woosters request to close the one block portion of Gasche Street between University Street and Wayne Avenue.
The fate of the small, one block section of Gasche Street between University Street and Wayne Avenue has been decided.
During their July 5 meeting the members of Wooster City Council voted by a margin of six to one to deny a request by the College of Wooster to vacate the portion of Gasche Street between University Street and Wayne Avenue, with Councilman Jeff Steiner casting the lone approving vote.
Since the colleges petition was introduced to council in May council has heard over four hours of comments by members of the community on their views on the colleges proposal to convert the area into green space and alleviate safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists who traverse the rough unimproved road.
While many community and business leaders spoke in favor of the colleges request, many more voiced concern over the loss of one of the few north/south arteries in that section of town.
The animosity the issue generated lead council members to question whether the issue itself or the process leading to their decision that was the real issue.
Council representative Barb Knapic, who represents the ward where Gasche Street is located, noted that it became increasingly obvious to her that the bigger problem here from the bigger viewpoint is not the project but the process.
What I see in this process is that there is so much animosity because in my opinion the residents feel like they have been left out of this, said Knapic.
There has been a partnership between the city and the college. I dont think there has been enough of a partnership with the citizens and the college and I think thats where we need to go with this, said Knapic.
Knapic and College of Wooster President Grant Cornwell discussed the possibility of forming a joint campus/community partnership similar to ones in place at Kent State and Ohio State that could look at these types of issues and sit down and work with all the community members – business, the college, the residents – and talk about what are the plans for the future and work these issues out before it comes to such a level as this.
Councilman David Silvestri also expressed his concern that there has not yet been enough communication on the issue.
I see on the one hand if I vote for this proposal tonight its in essence the point of no return. If I vote against this proposal tonight more of this dialog can go on, which your presence here tonight tells me more of that needs to go on, said Silvestri to the crowd of over 100 gathered for the meeting.
I challenge the residents and the College of Wooster to continue this dialog to find the right solution. Lets find something that works for all parties. It can be done, said Silvestri.
A number of councilmen spoke of the need for compromise to reach an agreement that benefits both the college and the community.
Councilman Jon Ulbright noted that to him the word partnership means compromise.
When I hear the word partnership I think of give and take In this case if this were to pass tonight as I see it the college gets one of their wants...But what does the community get? What does the immediate neighborhood get? Zero as I see it, said Ulbright.
While council ultimately voted to deny the petition all of the councilmen reiterated their support for the college.
To argue that the College of Wooster is not revered, respected, admired and an absolute must for our community is ludicrous. Who would doubt that the College of Wooster is one of the gems? No one that I know of, said Ulbright.
