Chillicothe — The big plans for Yoctangee Park are being reconsidered, with one adjustment being a relocation of the “Welcome Center” to a different corner of the park.
I approached Ross County Commissioner David Glass to confirm and clarify word of the possible adjustments. He had just given a presentation on “County Government 101” to a “Lunch and Learn” gathering for young professionals in EPIC on Wednesday (see my upcoming companion story).
He pointed out that the last commissioners’ work session with the planners of the park changes ended up focusing on criticism of the style of the proposed buildings in the center of the park.
Though the plans are in Chillicothe, the county commissioners are the agency for the funding, and so they have reviewed the plans more than the city has.
So, Glass said they are exploring relocating the “Welcome Center” part of the plan. This was the smaller part of the added buildings to the southeast side of the old Armory. (Glass is no newcomer to economic development and community planning – see my recent interview with him.)
The Welcome Center is intended as the new location of the Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau, with a focus on anticipated increased visitation for the World Heritage “Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks.”
Glass said the commissioners are pretty sure they are moving in the direction of placing the Welcome Center at the former Chillicothe schools bus garage at Riverside and Mulberry streets, now a city facility, at 192 North Mulberry Street.
Glass said that idea:
- Reduces the complaints about the density of new buildings proposed in heart of Yoctangee Park
- Is far enough from Memorial Armory that the proposed modernistic styling does not compete with it
- Will not build on park greenspace, since it would replace existing building(s)
- …Which are considered an eyesore
- …At an entrance to the park that could use improvement
- But the site can still drive visitation to the park
- …And is close enough to do the same for the downtown
Glass said that this potential change of plans requires “due diligence” – an AEP electrical transmission line runs over the site, and there is an ODNR deed restriction on it – in addition to the fact that the county is now talking about a different city-owned property.
He said the state has already given funds to demolish the building there soon, and do “brownfield” remediation since it was a minor industrial site.
The proposed Welcome Center was not an original part of the ACGP application that includes renovation of the old Armory, new “Pavilion” building for the Chillicothe Farmers Market and other activities, revised park roads, revised city streets around the park, and more.
The Welcome Center was also largely funded by different state funds, but was allowed to share design costs with the rest of the park plans. Glass said its funding is now completely separate from the larger plans.
I had heard that the Pavilion itself may be relocated from near Memorial Armory, to the parking area south of Baseball Diamond Number 1. Proposed plans show altering the road and parking there, along with longstanding plans for an amphitheater against the hillside near the 40 and 8 fish stand, and possibly a splash pad. But, Glass could not confirm that.
Hear Glass in his own words in the below video interview, and find my other stories on the ACGP plans for Yoctangee Park on the Scioto Post.
