MANSFIELD — City council unanimously rejected a bill that would allow for a portion of an unnamed alley between Vale Avenue and Springmill Street to be vacated.
An investment company known as 4 Life Investments wanted the alley to be vacated to allow for a parking lot for a new bar and grill in the former Club Exclusive building.
“I’ve ridden by a couple times and I don’t see why we need to vacate the alley,” said Fifth Ward Councilman Jason Lawrence. “They can just move the parking lot to the other side.”
During previous meetings, council heard concerns from local residents regarding safety and traffic flow.
Read previous stories here:
Springmill St. building may be redeveloped as bar & grill
Mansfield council considers businesses’ alley requests
4 Life Investments had to obtain signatures from all residents whose property touches the alley as part of the alley vacation process.
However, Pauline Sutton, whose property abuts the alley, did not give her signature of approval because of safety concerns.
Tim Oney, owner of Tim’s Auto Repair, feared that if the alley were to be closed off, that would cause more traffic on the alley that’s immediately adjacent to his auto repair shop on Springmill Street.
Motorists use the two parallel alleys as cut-thrus.
“Through the day, them two alleys are superhighways,” Oney previously told council.
In light of these concerns, council rejected the bill 8-0.
