TOLEDO, Ohio — A plot of land in downtown Rossford won't be empty for long.
The city is planning to build a pocket park on Superior Street open to the public for recreational purposes.
It's part of the city's 2024 gateway revitalization project that focuses on improving the city's amenities.
"Green space, the environment, recreational amenities and beautification are really important to us and those are the reasons we're doing these projects," said Rossford Mayor Neil MacKinnon III.
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City leaders said the park will feature stamped concrete, turf, a water or fire feature and full utilities. The space will also accommodate food trucks and people will be allowed to socialize and rent lawn games.
The project is costing the city around $400,000 from its general fund, and MacKinnon said it's worth the cost as the city hopes it will address one of residents' main concerns in the area: limited seating options.
The mayor added that the park is intended to be an easy go-to location for people when they are walking around the city.
"We want to be more pedestrian-friendly, we want to be more inviting, we want to show off our hospitality, we want to show off our establishments, our restaurants," MacKinnon said.
John Alexander, the owner of Red's Irish Goodbye, a bar located next to the park, agrees it'll be a bonus for his and other businesses.
He said not only will it attract more visitors, but it will also give more seating options for people at the bar.
"We do have DORA, so they can DORA over here, come and get a drink and go sit out there," Alexander said.
According to city officials, construction is set to begin after Rossford City Council approves the ordinance accepting the lowest bid. It should be completed by the end of the year.