Bluffton council approved a recommendation to pave the village-owned parking lot directly north of the fire station on Main Street.

The  recommendation came on Monday from council’s streets, lights, alley and sidewalk committee (Joe Sehlhorst and Jerry Cupples). 

The project will go on the village’s 2020 paving schedule at an estimated cost of $23,750. The 1,136-square-foot parking lot has space estimated for 34 vehicles.

A need for additional North Main Street parking comes from a growth of businesses in that location.

Several businesses have expanded in the fire department neighborhood in recent years. Those businesses include Tommy Tire, Spectrum Salon, Boutique 415, Polished, Gallery 323 and most recently the Et Cetera Shop. In addition, Bluffton Slaw Cutter and East of Chicago Pizza are located there.

Joe Sehlhorst said that the expansion of North Main Street improved parking is needed for customers and workers in addition to use by the fire department.

In addition to the parking paving project, the committee recommends adding a crosswalk across Main Street in the area of the fire station.

Several additional items were part of the committee’s meeting, which was held Nov. 13. Those items may be viewed in the council package attached to this story  (page 7 of the packet).