You simply cannot make up these things.
The question about the hazardous situation for walkers at Main and W. 1st, where each corner now is occupied by multiple thriving businesses (as well as the YMCA), and parking is scattered on all sides of them, was asked at the last merchant meeting.
David Duggins replied somewhat honestly (for him), by saying the city had no plan at all to do anything to remedy safety at Main and W. 1st.
With even more time to think about it, Team Gahan now has issued an improved excuse for inaction.
Crosswalks on Main Street - At this time crosswalks at corner of Main and First would present a safety hazard as there is no light or stop sign to protect pedestrians and signal a safe crossing. Pedestrians would be invited to walk in an unprotected area.
Wait ... but who other than the city of New Albany possesses the ability to install design elements to protect pedestrians?
In other words, it's Team Gahan's stretch of road to do with as Oz pleases, but there'll be no fundamental safety improvements -- and because there can be no fundamental safety improvements, there'll be no fundamental safety improvements.
This may be the most idiotic example of circular logic that I've ever seen in New Albany, and that's saying a lot.
By refusing to take action, and by deploying its inaction as the reason for it doing nothing, City Hall actually commits an "action," if only in a destructive breach, because it detracts from the value of these businesses and perpetuates conditions that are plainly unsafe.
This is true just as surely as if Main were a one-way street, though because there are no design elements at this intersection to slow traffic, it might as well be a one-way street.
Someone's going to get hurt here, and when it happens, Jeff Gahan will have the blood on his hands. Period.
I've been asking this question for months, but I didn't ask it at the merchant meeting. Rather, it was asked by a businessman who literally has invested millions in downtown New Albany.
And this is the best answer that Gahan's minions can provide. Think about that.
How do these people sleep at night?
Rumble strips and raised platforms don't require a traffic signal. Signage IN the street and complementary street design would do. Cheaply.
ReplyDeleteYep. But when they begin from the standpoint that nothing can be done ...
ReplyDeleteThey spent seven million dollars to light EVERY little boulevard tree a few blocks away on Main Street - and they can't afford a single flashing light over the very corner they've chosen for a billboard?
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, that intersection is part of the abandoned State 111 highway the City agreed to maintain - Maintentance was the reason why the City was paid the seven million dollars.
ReplyDeleteThere is a crosswalk on State St between the hospital and the medical building. There is no traffic signal or walk light there. And, it is in the idle of the block.
ReplyDeleteThere is a crosswalk on State St between the hospital and the medical building. There is no traffic signal or walk light there. And, it is in the idle of the block.
ReplyDelete