Was it any wonder that it was unanimous?
Everyone I've spoken to seem pretty pissed off about the change. I personally think it's ridiculous... but oh course they got what they wanted. Luckily it's just a tiny little street - but it is the one that leads into the Nelsonville Square.. that they pretty much have control over anyways.
Idiots...
Nelsonville Council votes to rename Hocking Street
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2013 3:00 pm
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Updated: 2:02 pm, Sat Jan 19, 2013.
NELSONVILLE — Hocking Street has been renamed Rocky Boots Way after a vote by Nelsonville City Council this week.
Kevin Dotson, president of Nelsonville City Council, said the street name change was passed unanimously among members on Monday. Dotson, who works at Rocky Rocky Boots Outlet Store, abstained from the vote.
Kevin Dotson, president of Nelsonville City Council, said the street name change was passed unanimously among members on Monday. Dotson, who works at Rocky Rocky Boots Outlet Store, abstained from the vote.
The name change will take effect 30 days after the vote. After
the 30 days is up, Dotson said a new road name sign will be installed.
The renaming of the street — which connects Canal Street to the
Nelsonville Public Square — was proposed in November by members of the
family that created the company that eventually became Rocky Brands in
Nelsonville.
Brothers Mike, Stuart and Jay Brooks originally proposed that
the name be changed to Wm. Brooks Shoe Factory Street at a Nelsonville
Street Committee meeting on Nov. 20. The brothers, who are all still
employed and involved with Rocky Brands (formerly called Rocky Boots),
then agreed to the shortened name for the street.
The renaming of the street was proposed in order to honor the
William Brooks Shoe Factory employees who used to walk the street from
the factory to the Public Square to eat.
The Messenger previously reported that the Brooks brothers plan
to make improvements on the street, including planting trees and
installing an archway that would direct people to the historic district.
The brothers agreed to foot the bill for power usage to light the
archway.
On Friday, Mike Brooks, who is chairman of Rocky’s board of
directors, said that the goal of the street renaming and archway is to
bring more visitors to the city’s historic district.
He said that the Rocky Boots Outlet Store sees about 200,000
customers a year and the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway next door has
between 35,000 and 40,000 visitors a year who all park on Canal Street.
He said the archway would be an invitation for those tourists to walk a
block over to visit the Public Square.
According to Brooks, Rocky’s customers sometimes travel 100 to
200 miles to visit the outlet store and that the business will provide
maps and encourage customers to see what else the city has to offer.
“We want to connect the dots,” Brooks said.
Brooks said the brothers hope to construct the archway this summer.
“We want it to be attractive and welcoming,” he said. Brooks added that the design of the archway has not yet been finalized.
The Messenger asked its Facebook fans what they thought of the
city’s decision to rename the street. Some supported the change while
others said that Hocking Street should remain unchanged.
Marc Riley posted, “Great, Rocky has more employees now than
they had when the factory here! They also do more for our community and
surrounding communities than any other business!”
“The roads in Nelsonville are horrible. The council should worry
about fixing them before changing a street name,” posted Patty
Maccombs.
Amanda Gretz wrote, “I do not care for Rocky Boots anymore.
Since they moved the factory and all them people lost their jobs, I will
not buy from them anymore.”
Billy Matters wrote, “A fitting tribute to a company that has supported the Nelsonville area for generations.”
sbrumfield@athensmessenger.com; Twitter @SaraBmessenger.
