By SEAN RICE
srice@dailystandard.com
Celina’s administration is looking into the possible purchase
of a small piece of land to make Pullman Bay Park a safer and
more convenient place to visit.
A Celina City Council committee discussed the idea at a meeting
this week, held in the Pullman Bay Restaurant at freshman council
member Chris Mohler’s request.
Mohler informed his colleagues local realtor Randy Evers said
he may soon attempt to sell several lots near Pullman Bay Park
on behalf of a local trust holder. Evers contacted Mohler to
offer the city a first chance at the property.
Committee members looked at maps of the four lots that may become
available, pointing out the parcels through the restaurant window.
A house sits on one of the lots.
Safety-Service Director Mike Sovinski said he thinks the city
would only have need for the land just south of the the restaurant,
which could provide a new driveway access to the park from Lake
Shore Drive.
Mohler pointed out that pulling into the park from the entrance
on Market Street near the railroad tracks can be a nightmare.
And he said some city residents could even be unaware of the
entrance to the small parking lot.
“It’s a nice little park, and it would be nice if
you could get to it,” city Recreation Director Jeff Fortkamp
said.
“This could offer us safer access point to the park,”
Sovinski added. He also pointed out that the area could be developed
if the city misses this opportunity, while the price tag may
be low.
Mohler said he has no knowledge of the asking price, or if the
owners want to sell the lots separately.
Former council member Ed Jeffries attended the lunch meeting
and expressed his support of the idea, which he said should
carry a relatively small cost compared to the public benefit.
“It’s almost a necessity,” committee member
Angie King said.
The building and grounds committee members asked Sovinski to
investigate the possibilities of purchasing just the single
.15-acre lot for the driveway or splitting a purchase with the
owner of Pullman Bay, who could also have a use for the land.
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