Security expert: More parking next to courthouse 'ill-advised'

NEWARK – An Ohio Supreme Court security expert said four designs to add parking next to the Licking County Courthouse are "ill-advised" and provide opportunities for terrorist attacks.

John Groom, security services manager for the Ohio Supreme Court, offered his views almost a year ago, but Licking County Juvenile Court Judge Robert Hoover recently released Groom's opinion, as well as his own, as public discussion of parking intensifies.

"Extraneous vehicular traffic and parking near the building serve to provide an opportunity for terrorism through the deployment of car bombs and explosive devices," Groom wrote, after visiting the courthouse on Sept. 8.

"Therefore, from a security perspective, it would be ill-advised to recommend placing more parking in close proximity to any courthouse, especially if the ingress and egress of said traffic is uncontrolled."

Newark Development Director Mark Mauter shared one idea for additional parking at the Aug. 1 meeting of the Downtown Newark Association.

He said a circular, one-way drive all the way around the courthouse, accompanied by 76 parking spaces, deserved consideration.

"It's got a lot of merit, getting more cars off the street, Mauter said. "A ring of parking around the courthouse building. It's been discussed among the (city) administration and county commissioners for probably a year-and-a-half. Parking is still an issue with county and city employees parking in front of businesses."

Mauter is a member of Newark Development Partners, which has hired OHM Advisors, an engineering, planning and architecture firm, to perform a downtown parking study.

But, Groom said the design showing a drive and parking encircling the courthouse was the worst of the four options, because of security issues.

"This design subjects the courthouse to additional vehicular traffic on all sides of the building, and due to its circular layout, provides the greatest amount of building exposure for attack."

Hoover said he wanted to publicize Groom's opinion because the security concerns were not part of the public conversation, and he opposes any increase in parking.

"I feel very strongly about it," Hoover said. "I love the courthouse and I love the Square. It's very beautiful what's been done and they want to improve the area by putting in parking? I just do not think the public is going to favor that circle."

Hoover said he parked in the Second Street Parking Garage, and walked to the courthouse for a time during construction on the courthouse, and judges David Branstool and Tom Marcelain have been walking from the parking garage for some time.

"I never found a problem parking in the (garage) spaces down below, and on the top floor, of the parking garage, spaces are always available," Hoover said.

The four parking concepts are old designs, from more than a year ago, or maybe two years ago, according to Fred Ernest, executive director of Newark Development Partners. Some of the concepts may have already been dismissed, Ernest said.

The parking concepts add 85, 66, 76 and 38 spaces. Groom said all four expose the exterior of the courthouse to increased threat. The concept adding 38 spaces was the best, Groom said, but recommended it be altered.

Groom suggested moving the parking as far away from the building as possible, possibly to the area where the gazebo sits.

Newark Development Partners just recently sought the input from OHM Advisors, and scheduled a public meeting on parking solutions for 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Doubletree by Hilton.

"Nothing has been decided, and we're considering a lot of other things to getting parking solved. It's all about trying to find solutions."

Mayor Jeff Hall said it's a good time for a public discussion, as the county nears completion of its courthouse restoration project. The county owns the courthouse building, while the city owns the grounds around the building.

"It's getting close to the time of putting the center of the Square back, and time to make a decision if we put it back the same way or different," Hall said.

In February 2016, city officials discussed the possibility of removing the gazebo on the northeast corner of the Square, and putting it in another location.

Two of the four parking designs appear to put parking on or very close to the existing gazebo location.

One piece to the parking puzzle, Ernest said, is parking enforcement. NDP plans to create a Special Improvement District for downtown, with property owners paying a fee that can be used for parking enforcement, as well as other services.

The current two-hour limits are not enforced, city and police officials have said, because law enforcement needs to spend its limited resources on so many other areas and issues.

The city's utility upgrade and streetscape project took away some spaces, the mayor said, to increase pedestrian safety. Many spaces are available at the parking garage, he said.

"Giving up a few spaces to make it safer seems to make a lot of sense," Hall said. "A walk from the parking garage is nothing for a city. That's a short, short distance, and it's free.

"I don't know any downtown area you don't have to walk, unless it's dying or dead."

City Councilman Jeremy Blake, D-2nd Ward, who represents part of the downtown area, said he opposes adding parking alongside the courthouse.

"I'd like to keep the Square as much greenspace as we can, and, most definitely, keep the gazebo there," Blake said. "Most people would favor as much greenspace as possible.

"It's a beautiful building. It's the center of the city and county. It should be treasured, and seen as a place for families and gatherings. A natural setting, with trees, the way our Courthouse Square has always been."

Jeff Rath, R-3rd Ward, proposed a shuttle bus from the parking garage to the Square and back.

Doug Marmie, R-6th Ward, said he wants to hear everybody's opinions before he makes a decision.

"Initially, I'm always in favor of additional parking, but I'm always concerned about safety," Marmie said. "If it's a safety concern, why do we have parking down there already?

"It needs to be a collaborative effort. I think we can come up with something that will satisfy everyone."

There are about 15 spaces next to the northeast corner of the building, used by law enforcement for transfer of prisoners, and judges or their staffs.

Carol Floyd, D7th Ward, said, "I'm conflicted about the whole thing. I've always liked the courthouse grounds. Unfortunately, we do need more parking. But, terrorism is something we do have to consider."

kmallett@newark

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