The Oxford Community Development Authority board voted April 6 to decline participation in a proposed lease agreement for a piece of property in the northwest downtown parking quadrant, according to OCDA Executive Director Michelle Bishop.
The property in question, which contains 15 parking spaces currently used by the public for free, is located between the Healthy Smile Center (9 N. Washington St.) and Sisters? Hair Care (19 N. Washington St.). The parcel is owned by local developer Charles Schneider.
On March 23, the Oxford Village Council voted to accept a five-year, $1,000 per month lease agreement for the 15-space parking area.
However, council’s acceptance was contingent on the OCDA agreeing to pay 50 percent of the $1,000 monthly rent. The village would pay the other half.
Bishop said the OCDA board felt paying rent was too much to ask in addition to the proposed agreement’s other conditions such as the village’s agreement to cover the insurance liability, handle maintenance and upkeep of the property and forgive the property taxes on it.
Bishop said the board also felt the $1,000 per month in rent would be better spent on a long-term, permanent solution to the parking shortage in the northwest quadrant.