June 5—ASHTABULA — The City Council approved an ordinance during a meeting Monday night that would make Hulbert Avenue a one-way street between West 6th and West 8th streets.
The move is expected to create more parking for the new Riverbend Hotel.
The Riverbend Hotel, located at 533 Goodwill Drive, will be the first hotel built in the city in more than 100 years.
City Council President John Roskovics said the property between West 6th and West 8th streets is owned by the Riverbend Hotel and will become a parking lot at some point.
“Hopefully sooner rather than later,” City Manager Jim Timonere said. “We’re hoping this is just temporary because they’re obviously going to need that parking space. There’s parking behind the hotel. They’ve also rented some space on the Goodwill property in their parking lot.”
He said work is underway on the property along Hulbert Avenue, but it won’t be ready by the hotel’s planned opening date in July.
“We hope to be able to help them with some parking in the meantime,” Timonere said.
The parking lot will be exclusive to hotel guests, he said.
In other matters:
—Ward 4 Councilor Jodi Mills said guest speaker Elaine Sanders explained at the last community development committee meeting that she has been working with the health department to develop community engagement strategies.
Mills said the outcomes of community engagement include “trust and commitment, gaining resources and supporters, creating better communications, improving the overall well-being of the community, building lasting partnerships and developing innovative solutions .”
“It was really enlightening…listening to the people in the community,” Mills said. “What they want, want they need and work together.”
Mills said the new ACMC Tower will open in June.
In July 2022, ACMC hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 115,000-square-foot tower, the hospital’s largest construction project.
Mills said she attended the May 23 unveiling of the private tower.
“The emergency room and surgery center are great,” she said.
Mills said Timonere is currently working on how funds will be allocated from the $1.6 million in Appalachian Community Grant Program funds awarded to the city on May 9.
– An ordinance was approved authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract for the paving of portions of Woodman Avenue and Broadway Street with the Saybrook Township Board of Trustees.
– An ordinance was approved authorizing the city manager to apply to the Ohio Development Services Agency for a $150,000 grant, with an additional $46,000 from the economic development revolving loan fund for sidewalk improvements on West Ave.
– An ordinance was approved authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with CESCO Imaging in the amount of $23,375.40 for the purpose of providing signage for City Hall, Council Chambers and Ashtabula Health Department buildings.
—County Auditor David Thomas will be a guest speaker at the next council meeting on June 25 to discuss taxes.
cball@starbeacon.com
