Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety (PBPWS) approved a request made by R. Yoder Construction for staging during the renovation of the Plymouth Public Library.
The parking lot on the southwest side of the library will be used during construction. North Center St. will be made one-way North during the project.
Project Manager Erik Parcell was present to answer questions.
Mayor Mark Senter asked the reason for justifying a one-way on Center St. “It’s just limited access for parking and staging on the property.” He added, “It’s just a really small area there – so between subcontractor parking, material storage, and then also needing a place to put dumpsters – and I do have exterior work through the Spring 2023 as well. We’ll be on the renovations side on the outside. So, that’s the reason for looking to close that down.” answered Parcell.
Member Jeff Houin asked if the same closure this year created hardship through unexpected problems and if public feedback was given one way or another.
Street Superintendent Jimmy Marquardt and Plymouth Police Chief David Bacon did not receive negative public feedback.
Marquardt requested that traffic be detoured west on Washington St. to Walnut St. then south to Garro St. then east back to Center St. He did not want traffic detoured to Michigan St. He also requested that R. Yoder Construction be held responsible for signage and that the parking lot be secured with fencing, provided by the construction team.
City of Plymouth Attorney Sean Surrisi noted that Brandon Richie, who sits on the Plymouth Board of Zoning Appeals and is the Communications and Marketing Director at the Library raised concerns about the parking that has been utilized since the pandemic to accommodate curbside requests.
Richie requested that the city provides a space for the same use in the parking lot to the north of the library.
Construction is anticipated to start in January 2023 and conclude in April 2024. The board approved the request with the addition of one or two spots in the parking lot between the church and the library to be used for curbside pickup.
Any further changes need approved by Marquardt and Police Chief Bacon.
