Council OKs Carlisle parking deal

CHILLICOTHE – Officials approved an ordinance Monday evening that will allow a firm to manage 60 parking spaces for the Carlisle Building project for a period of 10 years on behalf of the city of Chillicothe.

Under the deal struck between the city and the Ross County Community Improvement Corp. — the firm overseeing the management and leasing of parking spots — the city will collect $3,600 annually. The 60 parking spaces in question are located behind the former municipal court building and next to the Peking Chinese restaurant on Main Street.

Adena Health System plans to occupy the historic Carlisle Building, which is set to open in October, and has long been cited as a catalyst to revitalizing downtown Chillicothe.

Council Clerk John Fosson said the CIC could choose to sign individual parking leases with residents of the Carlisle, if it wanted, as part of the agreement.

City Councilwoman Pat Patrick, who read a prepared statement, was the lone individual who voted against the move, adding that she was not in support of the ordinance because of its wording.

“I was elected to do things in the best interest of the citizens of Chillicothe whether they be short-term or long-term commitments,” the statement said. “By leasing the entire parking lot directly behind this building, we will be tying the hands of the future mayor and council. I and several other council members have seen some rough plans that include building an addition on the back of this building so that there would be enough space for this to become the remodeled administration building.”

The head of the city’s Downtown Development Commission, Tom White, spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and urged council members to pass the ordinance, saying the matter was about fulfilling an obligation the city had made.

“We’ve worked through a lot of challenges to get where we’re at today,” White said.