Findlay Fails to Open Cory Street
FINDLAY - In a heated debate during the Tuesday, February 3 city council meeting, members of the public and council argued that the ongoing ‘restriction’ on South Cory street has been a significant safety and logistical hurdle for citizens of Findlay and the 'temporary' closure needed to end. A motion was proposed by members of council to end the restriction and immediately remove the barricade, opening up a larger debate on Findlay government procedure.
During the meeting, Council member Rodney Phillips pressed council and the Mayor’s administration to reopen the ‘temporary’ restriction of South Cory Street. The area was originally restricted on a temporary basis by the traffic commission last summer as a means to ‘improve’ public safety as Findlay Police Chief James Mathias requested the area closed due to safety concerns from the police department. While initially closed on a temporary, 90-day basis, the action was extended in August to last until December 30, 2025.
Ironically, this section of road, while initially requested to be completely closed by the administration, was subject to ODOT regulations due to taking funds for repaveing, which included environmental provisions to maintain bike lane access to the road through 2028. Many have speculated this is the reason the ‘closure’ is only a vehicle ‘restriction’, that still allows bike traffic and will likely be pushed for full closure after the 2028 deadline lapses. Members of council introduced a resolution to end the restriction. Councilmember Danny Delong voiced his frustration with the ongoing ‘restriction’ of the roadway as well.
“This resolution is that the traffic commission has gone beyond their authority,” Delong said. “Their authority expired as of December 31st, 2025. Yeah. Yeah. That was what your date was. According to Findlay ordinance 30502, you have 90 days to close that. And if my calculations are right, as of today, that's been closed for over 230 days. So, it's been closed way beyond the ordinance.”
Council voted to deny the resolution, continuing the ‘restriction’ of the roadway. Members of council that voted to deny the resolution, followed the Mayor's desire to let the process ‘play out’ through the normal procedure and allow the matter to go through committee.
The sentiment seemed to be selectively applied however, especially with regards to the resolution 2026-10, which has been pushed by Mayor Muryn for emergency approval despite having no necessity that would impact the preservation of public peace, health, or safety which would justify the removal of rules of reading.
The resolution would authorize the city to enter into an agreement with Heartland Forward, an internationalist organization with strong ties to the Rockefeller Foundation, and allow them to begin mass data collection from the city as part of their ‘30 by 2030’ initiative, which will be used to make the city ‘investment ready’ by 2030. Limited clear and direct information is available to describe how Heartland Forward evaluates a city as ‘investment ready' or how this information collected will be used in practicum.
Mayor Muryn has stated she feels the process is ‘behind the Eightball’, on getting the initiative passed. Despite this push, council actually remained consistent in allowing the matter to wait the additional 2 weeks to have the full 3 readings. Residents will have one more opportunity to comment on the matter before council votes on it next meeting.
