Lock Haven okays warm-weather closure for Grove Street parking lot entrance to assist tavern

LOCK HAVEN, PA – City council Monday night gave its unanimous approval to a proposal to block off the Grove Street entrance to its E. Church Street municipal parking lot to assist a city business owner adversely affected by the yearlong pandemic.

Don Powers, owner of the Old Corner at Grove and Church Street, asked council for city permission to convert the parking lot entranceway off Grove Street to a dining area. He told council his business, because of its relative small size, has struggled due to COVID-related occupancy limitations.

Powers received city approval to take the approximate 20 by 20 foot lot entrance area, provide a 5-foot wide walking path and place up to four tables on the site and be in compliance with social distancing guidelines.

The council vote of approval asked that Powers receive written concurrence to his plan from the salon owner on the north side of the entranceway. Powers said he would abide by the request.

He later told therecord-online he hopes to have the new set-up in place and in conjunction with the city’s weekend pedestrian mall, set to resume for a second season in early May. He said the setup would remain in place throughout the warm-weather season.

Powers also plans to place additional outdoor tables on the sidewalk on Grove Street. With the expanded outdoor dining area, Powers said, he’ll be able to bring back at least one fulltime employee lost during the pandemic.

City Manager Greg Wilson said city police and the city public works department will coordinate proper safety measures while the temporary setup is in use. Motorists will still have access to the parking lot by turning off E. Church Street or by way of the alley between the salon and the rear of the Masonic Temple.

Powers later told therecord-online, “(City Manager) Greg Wilson and the current city council are the best thing to happen to Lock Haven in the last century.”