This is part III of a multi-part series. Read about Ashland’s South Street and its potential here.
LEBANON, Ohio — In 2015, the city of Lebanon began a project to transform one of its downtown streets — a project that would require the city to listen to local business owners and even fine tune its plan to fit the community’s vision.
Like potentially Ashland’s South Street, the process of transforming Mulberry Street in Lebanon into a unique gathering space was one that required collaboration.
Lebanon’s original plan was to close a portion of Mulberry Street and forge a state-of-the-art entertainment district for community members. The block between Broadway Street and Mechanic Street was to be laden with bricks and converted to handle foot-traffic as opposed to vehicular. (This is not the plan for Ashland’s South Street.)
Scattered storefronts lined the block, and some raised concerns about whether or not this project could negatively impact these businesses.
The construction period alone would alter business for a short duration.
“The plan was always to limit the number of months that the street was closed, and to try and get as much work completed in the winter and spring months to avoid the peak season for most of the businesses,” said Scott Brunka, city manager for Lebanon. “We communicated this plan to the downtown businesses early on, and they were supportive of the proposed construction schedule.”
Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer said the city wanted to be sure its revitalization project would not harm the local business community. The city tactfully gathered the opinions of businesses owners that would be affected by the finished entertainment district.
After much deliberation, Lebanon chose an alternative method to closing the street. They installed bollards at each end of the block, allowing the city to close Mulberry street down during special downtown events.
“There was a lot of discussion about what to do,” Brewer said. “We got some public input by all of the businesses that would be impacted by it and we decided as a City to not close it down – which I think was a really good decision on our part.
“We wanted to hear how business owners really felt about things.”
Jayme Kuenkel, co-owner of The Wellness Lounge on Mulberry Street, operates a charming nutritional shop that specializes in inspiring health with organic foods and oils. She moved to Lebanon seven years ago.
Kuenkel spoke about the transformative development and how downtown Lebanon has evolved.
“Five years ago, downtown was totally different,” Kuenkel said. “There wasn’t anything to do down here; nowhere to eat down here. It’s getting progressively better.”
When questioned about the city’s decision to keep Mulberry Street open and install removable bollards as an alternative method, Kuenkel praised the outcome.
“I like the decision they made because on a normal day, people can still drive down the street and park in front of our shop,” Kuenkel said. “I like that they did this instead of closing it altogether, because I feel like it would make it harder for people to get to us.”
Kuenkel also noted that parking would be an issue if the block was closed like the city originally intended.
Angela Kovacich, owner of Mulberry Street Books, was less opposed to the idea of closing Mulberry Street. She explained that her store experiences an increase in business during festivals and other events when the street is restricted to foot traffic.
“Some of the restaurants don’t do incredibly well during the festivals,” Kovacich said. “I always do. Coffee sales will really go up and everybody likes to get a little trinket from the bookstore or a book by a local author.”
Kovicich also mentioned that numerous business owners raised concerns about closing the block.
“I know some of the business said that they didn’t love the idea, but I am not opposed to it,” Kovacich said. “I think that would be nice. I think it would give downtown something fun to do.
“We could put a bench out there and the kids could scribble on the sidewalk with chalk.”
Kovacich said the most common complaint she heard involved in the discussions for the street plans was the need for additional parking spaces. Closing Mulberry Street between Mechanic Street and Broadway Street would further hinder the already limited parking situation.
Lebanon hosts a number of downtown festivals, so parking spaces have been at a premium for community members, business owners and residents alike.
Oley Snowden, owner of Cin City Collectibles and Lebanon Candy and Sports Cards, was thankful for the city’s decision to maintain the functionality of Mulberry Street. He was also quick to express his disdain for the events held in front of his businesses.
“That would eliminate a lot of parking spaces,” Snowden said. “There’s not enough parking to speak of as it is. I’m fine with the way it is.”
Linda Nienaber, executive director of Main Street Lebanon, responded to the city’s parking concerns.
“A lot of these businesses have residential on their second floors, so those cars that are parked there all day long are the people that live there; they’re not customers coming and going,” said Nienaber. “If the road was closed, they would be parked somewhere else.”
She believed it could have actually hindered other area businesses more than the ones that would have lost the nearby spots.
“It’s not affecting those businesses because people are already parking somewhere else,” she said.
The parking issue plagues the thoughts of several community members.
Evelyn Osborne has lived in Lebanon all her life. Osborne and her husband frequent Flavors Eatery on Mulberry Street, a Californian restaurant that focuses on organic food and beverages.
Osborne asserted her admiration for Lebanon, stating she could not imagine any other place as her home.
“We enjoy coming down to the festivals. We usually go to the Country Music Festival, (but) during the bigger events, the parking is terrible,” Osborne said.
Lebanon’s original proposed entertainment plaza would have been fashioned into an outdoor space featuring WiFi connection for community members to use.
Because of the concerns raised by staple businesses on Mulberry Street, Lebanon decided to alternate their plans and install bollards instead.
Reflecting on the matter, Mayor Brewer is content with the decision they made.
“You can see how many stores, restaurants, candy stores, all of these things. It’s one of the main reasons why we didn’t want to close it off full-time because it would truly, negatively impact the marketability and peoples’ businesses,” Brewer said.
