ASHLAND — The city is getting a new public parking lot with up to 35 spots. In six years.
Ashland City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enter into a lease agreement for easement rights to a parking lot located between Schine Theatre and Farm and Home Hardware along Center Street.
Under the agreement, the city will lease the parking lot for $1 a year for five years. At year six, the city would have the option to purchase the lot for $1.
“So basically over a period of six years we would purchase it for a total of $6,” said Mayor Matt Miller.
In the meantime, the city would have access to a portion of the retaining wall that is crumbling. The north side of the parking lot abuts up against Town Run. A part of that retaining wall is in bad shape, Miller said.
The mayor also said the access to the parking lot would allow city crews to install a new sewer line that runs under the lot.
He said the project could cost up to $100,000.
“The sewer line is needed not just for our own sake, but also for the theater, of course, as that project comes to a close,” he said, adding the estimated completion date of Schine Theatre is sometime in March.
Council President Steve Workman publicly thanked the parking lot’s owner — RS Jerousek Holdings LLC — for partnering with the city.
“Who in Ashland can’t get excited for additional parking?” Workman said, chuckling.
