MEDINA — Medina City Council members were receptive to a proposal from Medina Creative Housing to open a cafe, bike rental and gift shop at the city-owned property at 406 S. Broadway St.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to collaborate,” Council President John Coyne said.

Medina Creative Housing is a nonprofit organization that provides housing and employment to people with disabilities. The group already operates a variety of enterprises, including coffee roasting, lettuce growing, property maintenance and most recently — a dog day care and grooming service.

Councilman Paul Rose, at large, said, “You’re providing meaningful employment to folks who may not have it and that’s a beautiful thing.”

The city bought the house and barn on South Broadway to complete the extension of the Roscoe Ewing bicycle trail from Guilford Boulevard along Champion Creek.

The city planned to raze the barn and build a parking lot close to where the trail comes out on South Broadway.

Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty, executive director of Medina Creative Housing, said at Monday’s Council meeting that her goal was to open the planned cafe, bike rental and gift shop in late spring or early summer of 2014.

She said as much as the original structure would be preserved as possible.

The lower level of the barn would house a bike rental, and the upper level would be the cafe. The house would contain a “Made in Medina” gift shop.

The gift shop would feature products produced by Medina Creative Housing’s clients, such as coffee beans, lettuce and dog treats. DePasquale-Hagerty said she also would open the shop to other small, local businesses.

DePasquale-Hagerty is working on securing a grant for the project.

Councilman Bill Lamb, at large, protested razing the barn, arguing it had historical value as the only example of a “bank barn” — a barn built into the side of hill — within city limits.

Lamb applauded the Creative Housing proposal and thanked members of the city administration for finding a way to preserve the barn.

Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell is backing the proposal. In a letter supporting the project, he wrote the “proposal for a bike rental and cafe/food service facility fits well within the City desire to provide amenities adjacent to the trail.”

Contact reporter Kiera Manion-Fischer at (330) 721-4049 or kfischer@medina-gazette.com.