MANSFIELD, Ohio — One of Mansfield’s blighted properties will soon be spruced up thanks to Mechanics Bank.
Mark Masters, vice president of Mechanics Bank, addressed Mansfield City Council Tuesday night.
“About two years ago, we purchased Jimmy’s property [at 20 S. Main St.]. It’s now vacant. It’s in significant disrepair and we would like to embark, first of all, on exterior renovations of that building with the hope of sometime, in the future, being able to renovate the interior so that we could have a restaurant or retail establishment move in as a tenant–that’s into the future,” he said
To help make those renovation plans come to fruition, he said, “We would like to have your consideration for vacating the [Luther Place Alley]. One, to renovate the exterior of Jimmy’s building, and also to help us facilitate a drive-thru facility that would exist in our parking lot.”
The drive-thru facility will not be constructed on the alley, he said. “All of the construction will take place on our property, which is the parking lot,” he said.
“We’ll actually be servicing customers from the Jimmy’s building with drive-up transactions,” he said.
Council unanimously approved on an 8-0 vote to pass Ordinance 15-132, which authorizes that a portion of the Luther Place Alley right-of-way extending westerly from South Main Street between lot numbers 2246, 2566, 2565, 181 and 182 and ending at South Walnut Street be vacated.
The alley will still be open and maintained by Mechanics Bank.
“I think Mechanics Bank should be applauded for its continuing commitment to our community,” said Law Director John Spon.
Masters said they would like to begin renovations as soon as possible and have the project completed before the weather turns in late fall.
In other news, Nelson Shogren, chairman of Richland Moves!, presented council with the proposed Mansfield bike loop.
Before sharing his presentation, City Engineer Bob Bianchi noted that the engineering office has reviewed the proposal and is in agreement with the location.
Shogren, a Mansfield resident, explained, “Our proposal for the city is to make Mansfield more bicycle friendly.”
The proposed route is 5.73 miles and includes access to the B&O Bike Trail. “Our objective was to avoid high traffic roads and keep everybody safely on secondary and lesser-used roads,” Shogren said.
This loop will designate certain city streets as bike routes with appropriate signs and road stencils called sharrows.
“The purpose of the sharrows and the signage is to help educate motorists that roadways are to be shared with bicyclists,” Shogren said. “We’ve had a lot of bicyclists in this community have vehicles stop them and actually shout at them and say ‘Get off the street, get on the sidewalk, or take your bike to the bike trail.’ So a lot of people perceive Mansfield as being unfriendly to bicyclists.”
At-Large Councilman Cliff Mears said he traversed the route. “I wish Mansfield wasn’t so hilly sometimes,” he joked, adding, “I think [the loop] is well thought out and a great idea.”
This proposal only requires placement of signs and road stencils. No road-widening, painting of lanes, placement of lane-division curbs or other physical construction are needed.
In addition to route signage, maps of bike routes would be periodically and strategically placed in area businesses and public-access locations. Cyclists can use the maps to plan routes to their destinations. Wayfinding signs may also be added to assist in the navigation of visiting cyclists.
In collaboration with Richland Public Health and the Communities Preventing Chronic Disease grant, costs for the signage and stenciling paint and materials will be covered. Labor for installing posts, signs and placing stenciling will be done by members of the Ohio Contractors Association.
The physical elements of the Mansfield Bike loop consist of approximately 120 signs mounted on posts, 46 directional route arrow signs, and 200 sharrow stencils applied to city roadways. In the event of sign damage or theft, Mansfield City will replace those signs or posts where damaged or missing. A spare supply of signs and posts will be initially stored at the Sign Storage and Service Complex at 480 Park Ave. E. As sharrows fade or get resurfaced by new pavement, these road markings will be re-stenciled as needed.
Bike racks will be placed at strategic locations throughout the city. Some will be owned and maintained by local businesses or business conglomerates, and others will be provided through grants and donations to support the bike loop infrastructure. On city property, bike racks will be installed per the engineering department’s procedures, which require applying for permits prior to installations.
“We’re just asking city council to consider this proposal for the City of Mansfield to make it a bicycle friendly community, increase accessibility for people with bikes to get downtown and get to work, get to school and travel and explore by bicycle rather than car,” Shogren said.
In two weeks, Richland Moves! will present council with legislation on the proposed bike loop to be considered for passage.
“We would ask that the city council would adopt this route under the jurisdiction of Mansfield, Ohio as part of its infrastructure,” Shogren said.
Second Ward Council Jeff Rock asked about their timeframe. Bianchi said they’d like to have the project completed by July 4. With that in mind, Rock suggested that when the legislation is presented to council that they pass it as an emergency ordinance.
“I think Mechanics Bank should be applauded for its continuing commitment to our community,” said Law Director John Spon.
