Uptown Maumee experiences plenty of traffic from commuters, shoppers, and diners, and city officials are evaluating options to be more accommodating.
The public service department concluded in May a traffic study would be beneficial, and proposals have been sent to engineering firms for consideration. The study would examine traffic along Conant Street from the Anthony Wayne Trail to Broadway Street, and Gibbs Street to Allen Street.
Public Service Director Joe Camp said he hopes to make a recommendation to city council in October. He met last month with several business owners in the affected areas to gather their suggestions and concerns.
“I felt it was important to have the business community involved and give input on what they want to see,” Mr. Camp said. “Some people have stated there’s a lack of parking, some said we don’t have uniform traffic control, or we want some additional left-hand turns.”
Nancy Gagnet, president of the Maumee Uptown Business Association, said she believes a traffic study would “absolutely be a good idea” to ensure everyone is getting the best experience uptown.
Mr. Camp said the city would like experts to evaluate the current parking inventory, and look at occupancy on an hourly basis for city-owned and maintained lots.
“We want them to consider additional on-street parking along the 100 block of West Dudley and potentially the 100 block of East Wayne,” Mr. Camp said. “We also want them to look at providing a dedicated left-hand turn at Broadway and Conant to see if it’s justified.”
Mr. Camp said he hopes to have preliminary results before the end of the year.
Monnette’s Market purchasing land in the 200 block of Conant for a new store is one of the driving forces behind the study.
Most residents who spoke at a 2018 public meeting were supportive of selling land to the local produce supplier, but some were concerned about adding more traffic to an already busy area.
Monnette’s general manager Kyle Ryan said they recently received approval for on-street parking and a curb cut, which should help traffic flow.
“We have to go in front of the design review board one more time,” Mr. Ryan said. “The outside of the building hasn’t changed too much, so that should go relatively quickly.”
Mr. Ryan said Monnette’s will meet with the board in October and then hire a contractor. He said construction on the new facility will take 6-10 months.
Plans call for the new store to be open by next spring or summer.
First Published September 24, 2019, 1:20 a.m.
