Major changes to Yoctangee Park were previewed at the Ross County Commissioners’ meeting on Monday.
In my previous story I covered the proposed new buildings and renovated armory being funded by the Appalachian Community Grant that was unveiled four months ago. That leaves the vehicular issues.
Members of the planning company American Structurepoint gave the presentation.
I have repeatedly heard criticism against the rendering of the proposed roundabout at Water and Paint streets that was released in the May 1st event. But the planners insisted that not only do they still want to build it, but have three others in mind.
American Structurepoint pointed out that there are two types of roundabouts. Most people think of the larger ones on highways and in suburban areas – they are designed to optimize traffic movement, but may be difficult for pedestrians.
But what they are proposing is the smaller, pedestrian-friendly type designed for downtowns. They said they are safer because pedestrians need to look in only one direction and have a refuge halfway across the street, a “splitter island.”
This proposed main roundabout would be in conjunction with a “road diet” for Water Street where the number of lanes are reduced, allowing for angled (and thus increased) parking.
In one of their draft maps, other roundabouts are shown at Water and Mulberry streets, Water and Walnut / Yoctangee Parkway, and Yoctangee Parkway at Mill Street. American Structurepoint said cost estimates and funding would determine if those are built.
A draft plan for Yoctangee Park renovations and surrounding streets, showing the proposed roundabouts and altered city streets. (It is overlaid on an older draft plan where the proposal to remove the section of road between the armory and lakeside road is not shown.)
They pointed out that the City of Newark built roundabouts at the four corners of the Licking County Courthouse square in 2022, and they have worked well.
A photo of a downtown roundabout at courthouse square in Newark, Ohio, at an intersection of streets with widths similar to Paint and Water. (From Newark’s website)
American Structurepoint also explained a major change to a road inside Yoctangee. To prevent the park from being used as a shortcut, they propose to drop the section of road between the armory and lakeside road.
They also made a count of parking spaces in the park, and want to increase them. While the large gravel parking area below Riverside Street would be converted into part of the amphitheater and more parkland, more parking spaces would be created in paved parking lots along the redesigned road there.
Part of their planning process involved designating zones in Yoctangee Park, such as the tree-tilled central part that would best be left alone, and the activity-zone ballfields on the southeast and northwest sides.
Michael Salvadore of American Structurepoint emceed the online presentation of some very rough renderings from the fast-paced two-year timeline. (They pointed out that the maps they showed did not all match because of the rapidly evolving draft phase.)
They said they will present to Chillicothe Council soon, since this is a city project even though the county is the conduit for the funds. They also want more community input, and plan to reuse the city’s recent planning website “Choose Chillicothe” to help with that.
They also hope to start to “move earth” before the end of the year, even though the plans will be far from finalized. The Appalachian Community Grant funds must be spent by the end of 2026.
Among questions after the presentation, there were other brief discussions:
- They are not focusing on connecting to the proposed “Riverside District” between Riverside Street and Race Street, the former location of the city maintenance building and Mountaineer Appliance.
- There are frustrating restrictions on creating better and additional access points to the park annex because of safeguards for the floodwall.
- A possible water feature like a splash pad is proposed near the Mulberry Street entrance.
Other projects in Ross County are also funded by this grant – among them Bainbridge and Frankfort.
Much was presented in the short timeframe, and emcee Salvadore gave me a long interview. Hear him in his own words in the video available in my previous story.
American Structurepoint has a website and is on Facebook, X / Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Find more in the article on the Scioto Post, including a video interview.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
1 of 1 Ross County Planner Devon Shoemaker, and Michael Salvadore of American Structurepoint.