Ridgway riverfront master site plan started
RIDGWAY - Landscape architects from Hebert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) sat in on the Ridgway Borough Council meeting on Monday night as their hands-on involvement in the Ridgway Riverfront Master Site Plan has started.
Nichole Mendinsky, Tracy Strickland and Jennie Ryan-Gisewhite introduced themselves to borough council and will serve as master site planning consultants for the Ridgway Riverfront Master Site Plan.
Prior to the borough council meeting, the three ladies took a tour of the entire community and the project site and also were present for a Planning, Grants, and Recreation Committee meeting.
Mendinsky described the group as being “ecstatic and excited” about beginning the process for this project.
Mark Moore of Prospect14 gave a presentation regarding the ground lease agreement for a solar farm for one of the properties in the township.
The purpose of Moore’s presentation to council was to provide a brief introduction on passive funding opportunities the borough of Ridgway has.
Following his presentation, the matter was referred to the Property Maintenance Committee to learn more about this opportunity.
Bill Granche, a local volunteer at the recycling center where the compost facility is located currently, expressed the need for more volunteers to help at the recycling center.
Granche has been present at the center each Tuesday since the new changes for borough residents to discard recyclable items has been implemented.
Hours of operation for borough residents drop off their recyclables is Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Borough Manager Mike Handley praised Granche for “stepping up to the plate” to volunteer his time at the recycling center.
A borough resident inquired about what the status was of the building where the old community hospital used to be located and what the area may turn into.
The resident stated that they grew up right across from the hospital.
Borough Manager Handley said borough council had no knowledge of the building being sold, but said that the community would be quite aware of a change of use if that occurs.
Ridgway Mayor Ray Imhof said that planning for the bicentennial celebration is going well and that the opening of the time capsule at the Ridgway Municipal Building on Sunday, June 23.
He also said that good conversations have been had at the “Coffee with the Mayor” sessions with the community.
Chief of Police Shawn Geci shared with borough council that they have recently participated in positive persuasion and investigative interviewing training.
Next month, Geci said that members of his department will participate in crisis intervention training.
The newest part-time officer hired by the police department is in uniform and has started his skill training.
Borough council approved a dedicated loading and unloading zone on 9 South Mill Street for deliveries for different businesses in town.
This item was listed on the agenda due to eliminating safety concerns with vehicles parking on the street and disrupting the flow of traffic.
With this shared use loading and unloading zone, no parking spots will be affected in the area.
Borough council approved “no parking” additions on Taylor Avenue due to traffic safety concerns, most notably during sporting events.
In a previous Fire, Police, Property and Equipment meeting, a letter of correspondence was reviewed regarding a request by Liz Boni, one of the organizers of the Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous for use of a large warehouse near the event site.
After reviewing the letter, the committee had no recommendations, but were open to permit opening the warehouse for overflow parking.
Borough council held further discussions and reviewed video of the warehouse and referred Boni’s request back to a committee level.
Two ordinances were adopted by borough council for the shared positions between the Ridgway and Johnsonburg Borough for the positions of a code enforcement officer as well as a community economic development coordinator.
Lazy River Canoe Rental was approved as the Ridgway Mills Campsite concessionaire for the 2024 camping season Monday night.
Frank Quattrone was appointed to serve on the Borough Planning Commission due to a conflict of interest with a current council member that served on the Borough Planning Commission.
Quattrone will serve the rest of the current term, which expires in March of 2026.
The next borough council meeting will be held on Monday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Ridgway Municipal Building. Those who choose to attend are asked to enter through the Vine Avenue entrance.