The Great Bend City Council Monday night approved making Baker Avenue a one-way street going north between 11th and 12th streets to allow parallel parking on both sides of the block. 

This would help create more parking for the new Justice Center at 12th and Baker.

“Basically, we have been looking at this since the start of this project. Through the construction of the new Great Bend Justice Center, it has been noticed that the need for parking will increase in this area,” said City Administrator Brandon Anderson. “To alleviate this, having the ability to parallel park on both sides of Baker will help us attain more spots, but will leave only one lane for passage.”

Hence, “for the safety of all concerned, we believe this is the right thing to do,” he said. 

He said Police Chief Steve Haulmark has visited with three of the four residents on the east side of Baker and has received their blessing. The fourth resident could not be contacted.

The northerly direction was picked to make this as convenient as possible for those living along the street, Anderson said.

The city will now start a public information campaign to notify the public of the change, as well as installing the proper signage to allow for enforcement. 

The center houses the Police Department and Municipal Court and is set to open by mid-September.