The city of Grove City has the opportunity to expand Windsor Park.
At the July 21 Grove City Council meeting, council passed an ordinance to appropriate $380,000 from the general fund to purchase 10.47 acres of property located east of Broadway and north of Ventura Boulevard. Councilman Larry Corbin and his wife Susan sold the property to the city. Corbin excused himself from council chambers when council discussed and voted on the measure.
Council President Ted Berry said the property was appraised at approximately $420,000, but Corbin agreed to the lower amount.
Councilman Gregory Grinch said, "The deal represents a real opportunity for the city."
Grove City Mayor Ike Stage explained that Windsor Park has not expanded since the 1950s. The park, which surrounds the Evans Senior Center, is approximately 26 acres and is the busiest park in the Grove City system. Its amenities include a few tennis courts and multiple baseball diamonds. With the purchase of the Corbin property, the city could expand the park and add more baseball diamonds and other park amenities. Stage said they plan to add restrooms, which would also require a tie in to the sanitary sewer system.
Stage explained that the property interfaces with Broadway, a main connector in Grove City. The city now plans to add a new entryway into the park from Broadway to give the park presence in the Town Center.
Stage said the expansion project is expected to take two to eight years to complete.
In other news
•Council passed two resolutions to seek funding for road projects.
One resolution authorizes the city administrator to file an application with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to help get federal funds for Interstate 71 and State Route 665 interchange corridor improvements. City Administrator Sharon Reichard said it would cost approximately $28 million to improve the interchange alone.
The other resolution authorized Reichard to seek financial assistance from the state capital improvement program for the I-71 and 665 interchange and the reconstruction and widening of White Road.
There is no word at this time as to when the city will find out if the funding has been approved.
•Council approved an ordinance to accept the Grove City thoroughfare map, which identifies present and proposed streets as thoroughfares.
The ordinance states that the map is a flexible planning document that will serve as a guide for the city to evaluate future development and growth.
•Jack Perigo, from the American Legion Post 164 in Grove City told council that the post wanted to erect a 42-inch monument in the Grove City Cemetery.
The monument would replace an older monument and would cost the legion about $6,000. City officials would like to see the display in place before Memorial Day in 2009.
The American Legion is accepting donations for the monument. To make a donation, contact the American Legion at 875-5106.
