Ravenna

When surveying citizens in downtown Ravenna last week, a few themes became apparent.

Public safety is a concern. Bench removal at bus stops has angered some, and placed blame on others. Low-income and special-needs housing has also brought a new crowd of residents to the downtown area.

Storeowners expressed worry over the bus stop issue, because their older customers are now forced to stand for long periods of time, and also because they are taking blame for the bench disappearance.

 

[rpavideo width=”300″]RPA_Barie_Shook_MTN2[/rpavideo]Dan Kitts

Dan Kitts, a part-time employee at the Triangle Pharmacy, thinks the bench removal is unfair to his elderly customers.

“A lot of the elderly people now have to stand there, sometimes up to 20, 25 minutes,” Kitts said. “It’s very concerning to me.”

 

[rpavideo width=”300″]RPA_Barie_Shook_MTN[/rpavideo]Mike Butts

Mike Butts, owner of a local bakery, is disheartened by attention paid to the heart of Ravenna.

“As a downtown business owner, I feel that downtown has been neglected,” Butts said. “It’s been overrun with undesirables.”

Butts blamed the blight on the emergence of low-income housing near downtown.

 

[rpavideo width=”300″]RPA_Barie_Shook_MTN3[/rpavideo]Joe Malas

Joe Malas, a longtime downtown resident and volunteer at Catholic Charities, is worried about vandalism and public safety.

“Working two jobs here in Ravenna, the safety has been a concern downtown,” Malas said. “It’s been a little bit of a problem.”

Despite the issues, Malas commended the police force for their efforts.

“We have a great police department, and it’s coming to a head,” Malas said.