'A positive thing for the community': Ravenna leaders debate Guido's pitch for vacant lot

For two years, Ravenna has been debating the future of a downtown property where a building once stood.

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Now, Guido's restaurant is asking the city's planning commission for permission to expand its outdoor patio there.

Mindy Leonard, a manager at Guido's, said the eatery is proposing expanding its patio on the sidewalk in front of 218 W. Main St., where a former lawyer's office was demolished last year. The planning commission will meet June 27 to discuss the proposal.

Park proposal

Last month, Ravenna City Council's Community and Economic Development Committee discussed a proposal for the lot. In addition to the seating, the area would include a "multiuse, civic space," including a stage and park area. The outside wall of Guido's also would need to be repaired because it was tied to the building that was taken down, and a mural might be placed on that wall eventually, said Mike Bogo, deputy director of Neighborhood Development Services.

The existing on-street parking will remain.

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The project, for which there is no cost estimate, would be paid for using Revolving Loan Funds.

Bogo showed council a rendering of the park, which includes swings and a canopy over the stage. Council members suggested that rather than a permanent canopy, something portable should be used. The park area would be a "multiuse facility," Bogo said.

"I just want it to be a positive thing for the community when it's done," Mayor Frank Seman said.

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Guido's proposal

Leonard, along with two of her colleagues at Guido's, presented themselves to council as the "third generation" of Guido's ownership. They suggested adding six tables to the outdoor seating area, doubling the restaurant's outdoor seating, and also proposed having some of that seating extend around the corner along Park Way.

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Leonard said the move would shorten wait times for customers and bring more people downtown. Guido's also would be responsible for making sure the area is clean and free of trash, she said.

Councilwoman Cheryl Wood said she thought the Guido's proposal would reduce the cost to the city. She liked the idea of wrapping the patio around the building because it would mean "more eyes on that side."

Public seating?

Some are advocating for the additional seating to be used by all downtown patrons, not just those who are eating at Guido's.

Bill Barber said he would like to see the tables serve a dual purpose. Guido's customers, he suggested, could eat there when the restaurant is open, but other downtown visitors might want to sit there when the restaurant is closed.

"As the city starts to rebound, young families might want to use that space to sit down and chat," he said.

Bogo said he can see the merits of reserving the tables for Guido's, and of having the space open for public seating. But there's one factor that, for him, tilts the odds in the restaurant's favor.

"People, lots of people, every single evening," he said.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna leaders debate Guido's proposal for vacant downtown lot