By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green has spent the last months installing new water lines, repaving roads, and planning safer routes for pedestrians and bicyclists.
On Monday evening, city officials heard a request that new infrastructure in Bowling Green be good for the environment as well.
City Engineer Brad Holman reported to City Council on the 2024 paving projects using the American Rescue Plan Act funding. Repaving was completed on Pearl Street, Sand Ridge Road, and both East and West Gypsy Lane Road.
The parking lot at Carter Park was also repaved, he reported.
More paving is planned with the construction of new and expanding housing developments at Toussaint Springs, Cogan’s Crossing, Stone Ridge, and Stone Brook.
On South Main Street, approximately one mile of new water line has been installed. Next year, South Main Street will be repaved from Ordway Avenue to U.S. 6, and new traffic lights will be installed.
For pedestrians, two hybrid beacon crosswalks will be added on South Main Street between Napoleon Road and Gypsy Lane Road. An 11-foot wide shared use path will also be constructed on the west side of South Main, also between Napoleon and Gypsy Lane.
Also for pedestrian safety, next spring the city will be installing a pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of West Wooster Street and Maple Street.
But Monday evening a citizen suggested rather than paving all projects with traditional asphalt, that the city should consider permeable surfaces where possible. Rose Drain cited the impervious surface cover in cities as a big contributor to stormwater problems.
Drain said she was checking out the city’s capital projects on its website, when she saw plans to construct an asphalt shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along Brim Road to the middle school and high school.
“The words ‘asphalt shared use path’ made me think that there is an opportunity now for the city to start implementing green infrastructure, now while a project is in the design phase,” Drain said.
She suggested the city look at green infrastructure not just for the Brim Road path, but also the South Main pavement project, the Brim and Bishop roundabout, and sidewalks in the new housing subdivisions.
“Alternatives to traditional pavement on our paved surfaces can help reduce runoff by infiltrating rain water and melting snow,” Drain said. “In addition to reducing the runoff from the rain that falls on them, permeable pavements can help filter out pollutants that contribute to water pollution.”
After the council meeting, Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said using green infrastructure rather than traditional asphalt paving for future projects depends on the project, the progress of the plans and the adoption of the city’s Climate Action and Resiliency Improvement Plan.
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
- Rose Drain announced that a fall “Rock the Block” event is being planned by BG SONG and a BGSU business fraternity. This work project will focus on helping residents unable to rake their own leaves.
- Council member Bill Herald praised the city for its work putting in new water lines, streets and curbs in the Village subdivision. The project is a “breath of fresh air” for the residential area.
- Utilities Director Brian O’Connell reported on the lighting project being worked on at Carter Park, which should be completed before next year’s baseball season.
- Council member Greg Robinette announced the next city finance meeting and budget presentation is scheduled for Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.
- Council member Rachel Phipps reported a public hearing will be held Dec. 2, at 6:15 p.m., on the ordinance designating a portion of North Maple Street as a historic district.