GIRARD — City officials are reviewing ideas to improve parking in the downtown area, including diagonal parking and one-way street sections.

Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said at Monday’s council meeting the idea of angled parking spaces on both sides of Liberty Street has been discussed for years. There is parallel parking now.

Grumley said the angled parking will increase the number of parking spaces.

Mayor Mark Zuppo said council’s economic development committee met this week and discussed possibly having a section of Liberty Street become one way with angled parking on both sides.

He said business owners also have expressed the idea of angled parking. Zuppo said he will discuss the ideas further with the downtown focus groups.

Grumley said it would help improve the flow of traffic downtown.

Councilwoman Lily Martuccio, D-at Large, said it is important that whatever is done is safe for pedestrians and motorists.

Officials also have discussed the idea of having more parking spaces downtown or more greenspace, which residents have told Zuppo they would like to have.

Zuppo said the city has property near Cafe Olgun off Liberty Street that could be used for parking or greenspace.

In other business, Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine said streets will need to be addressed as the harsh winter weather will cause damage. Grumley said Moser Road is in bad condition and will need patchwork.

He said each of the four ward council members and three council-at-large members should submit the three worst streets in their wards.

Ragozine said the city will seek Ohio Public Works Commission funds to help pay for street repairs. He said the final decision on which streets will be repaired depends on the funds available.

Ragozine said the city is looking to have a five-year transportation plan put together by the Ohio Department of Transportation that will address sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths and trails. He said there is no cost to the city for the plan.

Ragozine said having the plan in place will make it easier to seek funds from Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and Safe Routes to Schools grants.

Also, Trumbull County Engineer David DeChristofaro and Lauren Hill, director of government affairs for the engineer’s office, said the county plans to do work on two bridges on West Liberty Street that go over the Mahoning River and CSX and Norfolk railroad tracks.

In other matters, Zuppo said Recreation Director Mark Cardiero is planning for the100th anniversary of Liberty Memorial Park in conjunction with the city’s celebration of America 250-Ohio.

Zuppo said events such as disc golf tournaments, live bands and other performances, and a farmers market, are planned for Memorial Day weekend.

Cardiero plans to meet with local volunteer groups on the plans.