Athens annual homecoming parade is receiving a route makeover come this October.
Ohio University President Roderick McDavis recently approved a new parade route recommended by both a university committee and Athens officials.
Discussions began after Athens City Council expressed concern about the safety of the current route, which wound through areas heavily populated by bars and narrow streets.
The new route puts parade participants on Factory Street before going right onto Union Street, right onto Court Street, left onto Park Place, right onto University Terrace, and ending at the Ping Center parking lot, according to a news release.
Athens city officials said the new route will help better control crowds, with wider streets and room for temporary fencing near major intersections.
"We believe the new route will be just as lively and fun as the old route for spectators, but safer," Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl said in the release.
Five alternative routes were reviewed before an ad-hoc committee of Athens officials and University representatives approved the new route.
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