City officials are taking a closer look at a proposal to remove a mid-block crosswalk on Pennsylvania Avenue after mixed feedback from local business owners and community members.

The ordinance, introduced following concerns raised by pet shop owner Fred Watson, would eliminate the crosswalk located in the 200 block and potentially replace it with five to six metered parking spaces. City staff believe the change could improve safety and parking availability in the area.

According to city police chief Joseph Sproveri, several factors support the crosswalk’s removal. The addition of the roundabout at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street reduces the distance between existing crosswalks, making the mid-block crossing less necessary. In addition, the current crosswalk has been flagged as not meeting recommended sight-distance standards, raising safety concerns for both drivers and pedestrians.

Illegal parking near the crosswalk has also created visibility issues, further increasing risk. Removing the crossing, Sproveri said, could reduce liability for the city while allowing for better-managed parking.

However, not all stakeholders are convinced. During the meeting, council member Phil Gilbert reported visiting multiple downtown businesses and found that several owners were unaware of the proposal. Some expressed surprise or opposition, citing concerns about accessibility and the need for safe loading and unloading zones.

Questions were also raised about traffic visibility near nearby driveways, the impact on occasional bus drop-offs and how new parking spaces would be configured. Council members emphasized the need for clearer communication, additional input from affected businesses and more detailed plan, including visual layouts of the proposed changes.

Council ultimately voted to table the ordinance until next month. The delay will allow time for additional consultation with business owners and for staff to be provided with more detailed information, including potential parking layouts.