Community

Parking Meters May Return to Bellaire

Carri Graham

Bellaire officials learned the village is one step closer to receiving a $400,000 grant for an extensive paving project, and they're also considering reinstalling parking meters in the downtown area.

On Thursday, Bellaire Fiscal Officer Marla Krupnik informed members of the street committee that the village's application to Ohio Public Works Commission has made it into the final round, giving the community a "good shot" at securing the funds. She said the village scored No. 1 in Belmont County in points.

The grant, along with a $400,000 interest-free loan, will go toward an estimated $1.08 million paving and catch basins project. The project includes the paving of 11 streets - 47th, 46th, 38th, Monroe, Trumbull, the 33rd block of Franklin, 36th, Washington, Folk, 21st and 33rd streets - and the installation of 25 catch basins that will keep water off the new pavement.

Krupnik said she and grant writer Phyllis Barnehart worked on the application for the past eight months. The funds will be awarded Dec. 6.

"This is big news for the village," Councilman and street committee member Robert "Bubba" Kapral said.

Regarding parking meters, the village has been without the devices since 2020, when council decided to remove them due to some malfunctioning issues.

Councilman and committee member Mike Doyle said they are in the process of gathering the information needed to move forward with the project. He said they are working to acquire prices on new parking meters and also determining how many old meters they have that are in functioning condition.

Doyle said the parking meters will be installed from 34th Street near the park to Crescent Street. He said they are looking to install between 15 and 20 meters in the business district.

"We're looking at two-hour meters in the business district. In front of some specific businesses that are time-oriented, we're looking at 15-20 minute meters and there's been some talk about some eight-hour meters in some outlying areas," he said, adding that the installation of meters will aid in eliminating the "15-minute" parking signs.

Doyle said the idea was prompted by local business owners.

"We're doing all this research in response to concerns and inquiries from several local businesses," he said, adding that some businesses have expressed concerns about motorists parking for long periods of time in front of their business.

Officials noted the meters will also help to generate funds for the village.

Committee members are hoping to have the meters installed by spring, pending the availability of new meters.

Additionally, Kapral encourages residents to check out the village's Facebook page, "Bellaire Council," which regularly posts updates, alerts and happenings.

Doyle said residents with questions or concerns regarding their water bill are urged to call the water department at 740-676-6537.

The committee is also looking into other grant opportunities for curbs and sidewalks.

"We want to continue to improve Bellaire's infrastructure and build up the downtown area," Doyle said.