ADRIAN — The biggest news out of the Feb. 3 Adrian City Commission meeting was the change in the city administrator’s job, with former administrator Greg Elliott leaving and police chief Vince Emrick filling the role on an interim basis. However, some other items were discussed as well.
Fee House discussion: Adrian resident Don Taylor addressed the commission about the historic Fee House, which was bequeathed to the city upon its most recent owner’s death. The house, on South Main Street, was the home of Harry and Harriet Fee, both of whom had a major impact on the city’s development.
Taylor encouraged the city to think about turning the home into a historic showcase, rather than selling it. He said the home could become a destination and help encourage visitors to Adrian.
“Obviously, this requires significant financial resources, but I urge you to think big,” he said.
Sports dome entrance concerns: Speaking on behalf of residents in the Canterbury Street area, city resident Sue Allshouse expressed concern about traffic going to the site of the new Adrian College sports dome. She said the access at the corner of Canterbury Street and Stratford Avenue is supposed to only be used by construction vehicles, but that has not been the case.
Dangerous house concerns: City resident Gail Dunaway expressed concern about a vacant house on Comstock Street where there was an explosion recently. She said that only 25½ feet separate that house from its neighbor to the north, and only 17 feet separate it from its neighbor to the south, so neighbors are concerned about their own safety. She also thanked Adrian police for their professionalism when responding to a recent call to check on the well-being of a neighbor.
Clear communications: City commissioner Bob Behnke commented that he has received many questions from downtown area property owners who received a mailing about the upcoming public hearing on the city’s downtown development plan and extension of the downtown Tax Increment Financing district. Although the letter contained all the information that the city is legally required to distribute, Behnke suggested that including a “frequently asked questions” list in plain English would have gone a long way toward eliminating confusion.
