MOUNT VERNON — On Monday, council members heard the first details of what Jeff Gottke calls a “holistic guide for future development” of the downtown area.
“It’s a blueprint, it’s a guidebook,” said Gotte, vice president of the Area Development Foundation. “What we are asking you to do is buy into a vision for downtown. The blueprint can help leverage the process of what’s happening.”
Cautioning the council members not to get caught up in the details just yet, Gottke’s overview of the 10-year plan included how it came about, the geographic area involved, and a few of the design concepts shaping the plan.
The plan developed through public responses, ideas and comments gleaned from a public workshop, six stakeholder committee meetings, Main Street Mount Vernon, traffic consultants GDP Group, and design firm OHM Advisors. The purpose behind the plan is to create a downtown that has a look and feel unique to Mount Vernon, one that is busy throughout the day and evening with a mix of uses for everyone.
The vision covers an area extending north to the former middle school site, south to Ariel-Foundation Park, east to McKenzie Street and west to Lewis Street. Gottke said that South Sandusky Street doesn’t feel like it’s in the downtown, so the question becomes “how can we create that same feel on Sandusky Street that we have downtown?”
Public feedback showed an interest in maintaining historic character, improved safety and less vehicular traffic on Public Square, better connectivity, more retail, a pedestrian-friendly bridge over the Kokosing River on the south end, and overall beautification on West High Street.
Problems identified include heavy traffic in the target area, perceived lack of available parking, poor design and planning on West High Street, poor walkability, and poor-quality buildings. Positives include a growing energy on South Main Street and Public Square being the heart of downtown.
Demographics, including growth from Columbus, play a role in shaping the plan. Gottke said that 76 percent of households have no children; 56 percent of Ohioans want walkable communities, but only 20 percent actually walk.
“What that means to me is downtown housing,” said Gottke. “More people, more stores. Daytime things, evening things, college, retail — all of that will create vibrancy and growth and momentum.”
Design principles underlying the plan include creating aprons and green space, clearly showing pedestrians and drivers where to go, greenery in the right-of-way, and creating an inviting atmosphere using bricks and trees vs. seeing all concrete or asphalt. Infill — new construction in vacant lots — and highlighting natural amenities such as the river also play a role.
Gottke told council members that they should care about the plan because it’s the result of 18 months of local and collaborative effort, a “holistic feel and vision for downtown Mount Vernon.”
“A lot of other problems can be solved by creating a vibrant downtown,” he said, citing as an example the positive effect a vibrant downtown would have on a CEO looking to relocate to the Siemens campus. “This is a vision that creates a look and feel for downtown Mount Vernon.”
Gottke requested that council pass an ordinance to officially adopt the plan, saying that an ordinance is the most strenuous support council can put behind something and demonstrates a commitment to the vision. Council asked him to bring a draft ordinance to the next council meeting showing what such an ordinance might look like.
Gottke plans to present “Part Two: The Design” at the Mar. 25 council meeting and “Part Three: Implementing the Plan” at the April 8 meeting.
