By DAVE SCHULTZ
The plans for the alleyways project being spearheaded by Bluffton NOW! received support from the city’s Common Council Tuesday night.
Mike Lautzenheiser, who is president of the downtown revitalization group, presented a request for $177,000 in funding for the alleyways project. Fundraising is well under way for the work, which will turn five one-block alleyways into all-pedestrian walkways or a combination of pedestrian and vehicular thoroughfares.
The vote to move the plans forward was 4-1, with Josh Hunt, Rick Elwell, Scott Mentzer, and Janella Stronczek voting in favor. The lone “no” vote came from Roger Thornton, who is in favor of the project but did not want the city to be on the hook for that much money at this point in time.
Lautzeheiser said the board of Bluffton NOW! was in favor of the plans that have been drawn up by the Engineering Resources design firm and wanted the city’s blessing to go forward.
“I can’t justify another $170,000 to the downtown,” Thornton said.
Thornton opened his comments on the request by repeating a concern he’s had during previous discussions of the project — who’s going to take charge of cleaning up the trash? “I do not hear anything about what I call the ‘custodial’ aspects of the project.”
Thornton’s concerns were noted by his fellow council members. Mentzer noted that the city’s involvement in the plan would be about 80 percent of the total cost.
“If this was any other project and we got an 80/20 match, we would be thrilled,” Mentzer said. Turning to Lautzenheiser, he said, “You guys have demonstrated that you follow through and you’ve earned my trust.”
Lautzenheiser and John Stauffer, Bluffton NOW!’s vice president, said plans have been prepared to take care of trash pickup in the alleys. They will return with details at another council meeting.
daves@news-banner.com
