Chillicothe — Council and their audience saw a slide show on the “exterior streets and intersections” portion of the ongoing plans to renovate Yoctangee Park.
Councilman Jeff Creed directed the review session that focused on a presentation by planners from American Structurepoint. (Read the first part of this story in “Chillicothe Council Partly Reviews Traffic Plans Around Renovations to Yoctangee Park.”)
Ben Daughters, president of Downtown Chillicothe Inc., read a prepared statement with six main concerns for the downtown. He shared his statement with me, below.
Tony Lenhart of American Structurepoint gave the slide show – filled with bullet points, roundabout plans overlaid on current aerial photos of intersections, and statistics showing public perceptions and safety.
An online copy of the presentation was suggested, but so far I am unaware if it is available yet. Below are some of my snapshots of the show.
Ben Daughters, president of Downtown Chillicothe Inc., read a prepared statement with six main concerns:
City Council Members, American Structure Point, and fellow community members:
Good evening!
My name is Ben Daughters, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak this evening. Thank you, City Council, for organizing this meeting and taking the time to listen to our community. My wife and I own a restaurant on 2nd St in downtown, called The Pour House at Machinery Hall, and I currently have the privilege of serving as the board president of Downtown Chillicothe, Inc. I’m here tonight not to speak on behalf of my business, but rather on behalf of Downtown Chillicothe. Downtown Chillicothe, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Main Street Program and Heritage Ohio. Founded in 2018, our mission is to preserve the historic charm of our downtown while fostering economic development. We work on issues like promoting our downtown district, shaping its physical space, and addressing legislative concerns. Our board consists of 20 volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds, from business owners to local leaders and concerned citizens. We advocate for over 125 property owners, 300 businesses, and more than 100 residents, and we’re committed to advancing the downtown ecosystem for everyone’s benefit. I’m here today to share some important concerns from our community. First, we want to express our appreciation to Governor DeWine and the Ohio State Legislature for their investment in our region. Their support through the ACGP Funding is a generational opportunity to drive growth and pride in our community. We also thank our State Representatives, County and City leaders, and everyone working behind the scenes to make this investment a reality. We all agree: this is a huge moment for Chillicothe! With that said, as we look toward proposed changes to Water Street, it’s only natural to approach them with an open mind, but also with a sense of responsibility. Change often brings concerns, and it’s important that we listen to those concerns before moving forward. I’d like to share six of the most common ones we’ve heard from the community regarding proposed changes: 1) Parking Utilization: Parking in downtown has always been a challenge. While most view a bustling downtown as a good problem to have, many business owners and customers worry about any reduction in parking. Any move that reduces parking could be seen as a threat to business success. We all agree that parking must be a part of the solution, not the problem. 2) Traffic Flow and Safety: When 2nd St. transitioned from one-way to two-way traffic in October 2021, many were initially concerned. But with thoughtful planning and community input, we saw a significant improvement: traffic slowed, pedestrian safety increased, delivery vehicles do not impede the flow of traffic, and the aesthetic appeal at the intersection of Paint and 2nd St was dramatically improved. With Water Street, we have similar concerns—specifically, pedestrian safety and walkability, the potential impact on deliveries to businesses, and the ability for motorists to navigate the downtown. There are also concerns with how traffic control changes like roundabouts might affect traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Many fear confusion at roundabouts and worry about accidents, as well as safety concerns of pedestrians navigating a continuous traffic flow. We want to ensure that whatever changes are made, improve the experience for drivers and pedestrians, keep our businesses running smoothly and enhance the walkability of our downtown. 3) Connecting the Park to Downtown: A major concern in the downtown right now, is the physical divide between North and South Paint St. due to 4 lane vehicle volume and the speed of traffic on Main St. While the improvements to the park will undoubtedly attract more visitors, there’s a risk that Water Street could become another divide, preventing foot traffic from flowing freely between the park and downtown businesses. We must ensure that improvements benefit both the park and the businesses that make up the heart of our downtown. 4) Business Disruptions: We also need to be mindful of the construction process. Downtown businesses are the backbone of our community, and any prolonged disruption—especially following the challenges posed by ongoing COVID recovery —could have serious consequences. Limited access, blocked storefronts, and delays in deliveries could strain already vulnerable businesses. Small businesses in particular, cannot afford months of lost revenue. 5) Preserving Historic Charm: One of the things that makes downtown Chillicothe special is its historic character. Changes that disrupt the aesthetic appeal or historical integrity of the district could harm the very thing that makes it attractive to visitors and locals alike. We need to ensure that any changes complement the downtown’s unique charm, not detract from it. 6) Lack of Stakeholder Input: Finally, there’s a sense of frustration among many business owners and stakeholders about the lack of communication in the design process. Many of us, my wife and I included, have risked everything to open businesses in this downtown because we believe in its potential. When changes are proposed that might impact our livelihood, and we feel decisions are being made without our input, it creates fear and uncertainty. It’s important that candid communication flows freely and stakeholder feedback is incorporated into the plan. As our downtown continues to recover from the impacts of COVID, the ACGP is a crucial opportunity for growth and continued revitalization. But to succeed, we must ensure that changes are made with all stakeholders in mind. Our downtown is a vibrant, historic district, and it’s essential that we protect and enhance its character while positioning for the future. Downtown Chillicothe, Inc. is eager to work with all parties involved to find solutions that work for everyone. We are committed to putting Facts before Feelings. Let’s keep the lines of communication open, listen to each other, and work together to make sure that these changes benefit our community as a whole. Thank you again for your time, and we look forward to collaborating with you as this project moves forward.
Downtown Chillicothe, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Main Street Program and Heritage Ohio. Founded in 2018, our mission is to preserve the historic charm of our downtown while fostering economic development. We work on issues like promoting our downtown district, shaping its physical space, and addressing legislative concerns. Our board consists of 20 volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds, from business owners to local leaders and concerned citizens. We advocate for over 125 property owners, 300 businesses, and more than 100 residents, and we’re committed to advancing the downtown ecosystem for everyone’s benefit.
