The special legislative session allowed a discusion and second reading of the ordinance to allow the state to take some on-street parking spaces for better traffic safety and more lanes in Main Street.

A few downtown business owners and a church representative were in the audience, including Bruce Arnold - who got some support on that side for his argument to have only two traffic lanes instead of the planned four, with a center lane for turns. 

He said the wider lanes and calmer traffic would be safer for driving and parking. 
 
But engineering chair Dave Tatman feels there's little possibility for that, considering the amount of effort already put into the current plan, and the funds available...but not for long. 

City engineer Tom Day pointed out that ODOT must go by the numbers, and that much of the $1.25 million is covered by grants - which can't be used for anything else. 

He also said two lanes of traffic would not carry the amount of traffic on that federal route.    

Tatman says the legislation is still on a fast track - the ordinance to give up the parking places for traffic improvements is expected to be passed next Monday. 

Council also discussed a slightly different schedule for closing streets...for a slightly different Feast of the Flowering Moon...and, where council chambers might be now that the courts have vacated city hall. 

Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils