Committee asks city commission to explore reopening closed alley behind Columbus Avenue businesses

A committee member raised a public-access concern about a privately closed alley between Columbus Avenue and a rear parking lot, saying it has impeded visitors with ambulatory issues. "My wife's family makes a visit on a weekly basis to mister Smith's coffee... I was wondering, has the city ever inquired or worked with the owners of that property to see if we could get that alley back open?" the member asked.

The Chair put a motion to ask the city commission to look into options for reopening the alley and the committee recorded a second. The Chair then called a voice vote: "All in favor of that motion, please say aye." The motion carried on a voice vote, with the committee asking staff to refer the request to city leadership for follow-up.