There is a roadblock keeping Ohio University from extending Bobcat Lane, the strip of street that runs from the Peden Stadium parking lot and dead ends in front of Baker University Center, into Richland Avenue. But that block is more than just the physical curb owned by the city.
Revisiting a debate that has quietly stirred since the opening of Baker Center in 2007, mayoral candidates Randy Morris and Paul Wiehl have taken different sides when it comes to connecting the roadways.
Bobcat Lane would provide access to Baker from Richland, eliminating the need for car traffic to go around Bicentennial Park to get to OU’s student center. However, this project, formerly valued at $7.4 million, cannot be completed without the city’s approval.
The university conducted a study with an outside consulting firm in 2009, which showed the lane could safely be opened, according to Associate Vice President for Facilities Harry Wyatt.
“In addition to being safe, the study also indicated that the lane would improve traffic at the intersection of South Green Drive and Richland Avenue,” he said. “It would also improve traffic flows during events.”
But Wiehl, the Democratic incumbent, blocked the opening of Bobcat Lane earlier in his tenure and continued his opposition at the OU Student Senate-hosted debate this past Tuesday.
“Opening Bobcat Lane would create another bad situation for pedestrians,” he said. “No different than what’s going on at the crosswalk at Porter; we have lost line of sight issues there.”
Morris, the Republican challenger, supports opening Bobcat Lane and said it would support the city’s first responders who would otherwise have to travel a longer route in the case of possible emergencies.
This road ought to be opened,” Morris said. “I don’t think the reasons for not opening Bobcat Lane hold water. If you’re going to respect first responders and police, we need to respect their safety.”
Pedestrian safety should be a joint concern for city officials and the university, Wyatt added.
“We have a wonderful collaboration between the university and the city,” he said. “This is just one issue that we haven’t come to a good resolution on yet.”
jj360410@ohiou.edu
