There's renewed interest in a plan that could change the look of Main Street in Cortland. The city council recently voted to apply for a grant that would study the impact of changing the road to two-way traffic. Philip O'Driscoll spoke with some officials and residents about what the idea could mean for the city.

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- For many decades Cortland's Main Street was a two-way thoroughfare through the heart of town. But for the last several years it has been one-way only. Mayor Brian Tobin says turning back the clock has been discussed, but it won't happen without some thought.

"One of the things that we have not done is a traffic study, as in what happens with the traffic patterns.  So if we make it going from one way to two way how do cars move about," Cortland's Mayor Brian Tobin said.

Cortland's City Council voted last week to submit an application for a grant that would fund a study. Some in the community are hoping a change would keep more people downtown.

"The emphasis on one way streets is to move people as quickly as possible to the destination.  For us we really are focused on downtown being the destination," Downtown Cortland Partnership Executive Director Adam Megivern said. 

And beyond that, it could make it easier for cars to actually get there. Motorists looking to access Main Street from its southern end at Main and Tompkins must drive a block past it, make a left, drive three blocks north, make another left heading back to Main, before making the final left onto Main Street.

That manuvering is something Cortland residents are used to.

"Just now I had to go all the way around the block to get to the post office, to go this way," said Kay, a Cortland resident.

"By making it two way as well -- that will generate more business on Main Street like people coming from Watkins Glen or from Ithaca they will take that turn they will turn left and hopefully stop at our beautiful restaurants and small shops," Timothy Bennett, a business owner said.

But one concern for some residents is the possible loss of parking spaces.

"If you look around there's three to four I'd say, spots per business where if they change it to the side there would maybe be only two to three -- so you may lose a parking space," Bennett said.

For now Cortland will wait to hear back on the grant.