Grid Control, Vol. 11: HWC Engineering meets with St. Marks, city officials nowhere to be found.

Earlier today, John Manzo of St. Marks United Church of Christ indicated that HWC Engineering had contacted him and wanted to meet to discuss the church's thoughts about one-way civic communications.

Grid Control, Vol. 9: "This was supposed to be discussed with us," but Dear Leader doesn't ever discuss, does he?

As John reports, HWC followed through. Film crews from WDRB and WAVE were spotted downtown around lunchtime, having taken their news gathering cues from ... well, we know where this whole business started, don't we?

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So, in following up from yesterday, a couple of us met with the engineering firm, HWC today. To their great credit, they are NOT Ding and Bat. They seem to be willing to help at least not make this as bad as it is.

My annoyance is that we made a considerable investment to make the front of our building accessible. The money could have been used elsewhere but this is where we did it. Had we any clue of what being discussed, this project might not have taken place.

There are two things that disturb me greatly.

The first, is that the placement of the bus stop is in the worst possible location for us. While I know there is not a grand conspiracy against the downtown churches, if there was, they couldn't have pulled it off better. Again, I am not suggesting there is a conspiracy, it's just maddening on how this was planned.

Secondly, the lack of communication. Someone needed to talk to us before this transpired. Since my post yesterday, I greatly appreciate HWC's willingness to talk to us. The head of the company reached out to me yesterday and fulfilled the promise that their Senior Project Manager would come by church today to discuss it. This I greatly appreciate.

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Previously:

Grid Control, Vol. 10: City officials predictably AWOL as HWC Engineering falls on its sword over striping errors.

Grid Control, Vol. 9: "This was supposed to be discussed with us," but Dear Leader doesn't ever discuss, does he?

Grid Control, Vol. 8: City Hall characteristically mum as HWC Engineering at least tries to answer the cross-hatching question.

Grid Control, Vol. 7: What will the Board of Works do to rectify HWC's striping errors on the north side of Spring Street, apart from microwaving another round of sausage biscuits?

Grid Control, Vol. 6: Jeff Speck tweets about NA's grid changes, and those missed bicycling opportunities.

Grid Control, Vol. 5: Egg on HWC Engineering's well-compensated face as it botches Spring Street's westbound bike buffer cross hatching.

Grid Control, Vol. 4: But this actually isn't a bus lane, is it?

Grid Control, Vol. 3: TARC's taking your curbside church parking, says City Hall.

Grid Control, Vol. 2: Southsiders get six more parking inches, but you gotta love those 10-foot traffic lanes on Spring.

Grid Control, Vol. 1: You people drive so freaking horribly that someone's going to die at Spring and 10th.

Grid Control, Vol. 9: "This was supposed to be discussed with us," but Dear Leader doesn't ever discuss, does he?

Last week we briefly surveyed the half-block-long yellow curbs.

Grid Control, Vol. 3: TARC's taking your curbside church parking, says City Hall.

 ... (Reporter Chris Morris said City Engineer Larry) Summers said that area is now for TARC buses to pull over and pick up passengers instead of blocking traffic to do so since Spring will just be one lane in each direction. He said he would look into it, but did not make any promises that changes would be made ...

I saw John Manzo's post at Fb just minutes after listening to the testimony of an attendee at last evening's Floyd County Democratic Men's Club quarterly meeting, where Mayor Jeff Gahan rose to announce that his many expenditures accomplishments these past 100 six years are testament to the power of unity and all stakeholders working together.

Delusional or disingenuous? Pick one answer -- and you can't be wrong, either way. As a case in point, just this one little bit from the pastor's post:

"This was supposed to be discussed with us before all of these things happened."

Gahan?

Discuss things?

It's highly unlikely.

If the pastor insists on doubting Dear Leader, Gahan may become disappointed in such a lack of faith devotion. Shining Star of Our Civic Future may be compelled to pack the St, Marks board with sycophantic bobbleheads for hire, annex the church, then quick-claim-deed the property so that requisite luxury apartments can be constructed.

Because: The solemnity of unity, and all the stakeholders obeying together. Here are John's words in cut 'n' paste format.

I would like to thank TARC and the City of New Albany. After (we made) the front of our building completely accessible to our church members and to the many people who utilize our church for all sorts of community services, the city and TARC have made the front of our building a no-parking zone and a bus stop.

This, of course, cannot be changed now because they already milled the road and it would be an additional cost and inconvenience. This was supposed to be discussed with us before all of these things happened, but the engineering firm seems to have approached its job like Ding and Bat.

This, of course, is in addition to the too many times that access to downtown churches has become difficult because of Sunday morning downtown events that regularly block roads.

I have no idea why churches choose to fled the downtown (when) the city cherishes our presence so much.

Maybe, just maybe St. Marks can coax a statement of bureaucratese from HWC Engineering, as NAC has managed to do with regard to botched cross hatching on the north side of Spring Street.

But an admission of error on the part of City Hall?

Ain't happening. Gahan's toxic combination of agoraphobia and narcissism seldom produce repentance.

Previously:

Grid Control, Vol. 8: City Hall characteristically mum as HWC Engineering at least tries to answer the cross-hatching question.

Grid Control, Vol. 7: What will the Board of Works do to rectify HWC's striping errors on the north side of Spring Street, apart from microwaving another round of sausage biscuits?

Grid Control, Vol. 6: Jeff Speck tweets about NA's grid changes, and those missed bicycling opportunities.

Grid Control, Vol. 5: Egg on HWC Engineering's well-compensated face as it botches Spring Street's westbound bike buffer cross hatching.

Grid Control, Vol. 4: But this actually isn't a bus lane, is it?

Grid Control, Vol. 3: TARC's taking your curbside church parking, says City Hall.

Grid Control, Vol. 2: Southsiders get six more parking inches, but you gotta love those 10-foot traffic lanes on Spring.

Grid Control, Vol. 1: You people drive so freaking horribly that someone's going to die at Spring and 10th.

Grid Control, Vol. 3: TARC's taking your curbside church parking, says City Hall.

The question: "Why are the curbs in front of the churches painted yellow?"

This answer: Blame it on the buses, not the denomination.

At yesterday's BOW meeting, Ms. Watson missed the opportunity to ask exactly what City Hall would be doing to ensure the safety of parishioners who'll be crossing Spring Street from parking at the funeral home lot.

But we mustn't be churlish.

At least the newspaper finally is taking an interest.

Road work in New Albany taking shape, by Chris Morris (Hansonizing the News)

Spring Street conversion delayed

NEW ALBANY — There was hope that New Albany city engineer Larry Summers would reveal the date for Spring Street to be switched from one-way traffic to two-way at Tuesday's Board of Public Works & Safety meeting.

However, Summers said he is not ready to make that announcement just yet.

While the road has been paved, and permanent markings painted on the road, a delay in receiving a part has delayed the conversion date. While some had hope it may be converted before the end of the month, early July may be more realistic.

"There is a back order on parts to make the conversion. We have to get that issue taken care of first," Summers told the board Tuesday.

Striping on the south side of Spring is currently underway and traffic signals are being replaced or reworked for two-way traffic. Bases for new signs are also being installed.

"It will be important to inform the public as quickly as possible," Board President Warren Nash told Summers when a date is picked for the switch over. "It might be worth putting it on the website that a change over is coming."

Summers said the public would get plenty of notice. Spring will be the first street converted to two-way and will be followed by Elm and Market streets. Bank and Pearl streets will follow.

Market Street paving should be completed today. Milling and paving Vincennes Street, from Main to Charlestown Road, is currently underway. The goal is to have that stretched finished before July 14.

There seems to be one issue with Spring Street's new striping. Ruth Watson said parking in the front of St. Mary's Catholic Church, at Eighth and Spring streets, has been taken away by the conversion. She said with four masses on the weekend, and weddings, church goers are always parking in front of the church.

Summers said that area is now for TARC buses to pull over and pick up passengers instead of blocking traffic to do so since Spring will just be one lane in each direction. He said he would look into it, but did not make any promises that changes would be made ...

Previously:

Grid Control, Vol. 2: Southsiders get six more parking inches, but you gotta love those 10-foot traffic lanes on Spring.

Grid Control, Vol. 1: You people drive so freaking horribly that someone's going to die at Spring and 10th.

Now, for something completely different: "Easy ways for churches to be more bike friendly."

Because you'd think that many churches -- especially those located in more densely populated urban areas -- would be on the front line of street grid reform. Some are.

Because social justice issues.

Because physical health along with the spiritual.

But hey, I'm just the village atheist.

HOW (AND WHY) TO MAKE YOUR CHURCH BIKE-FRIENDLY, by Sarah Joy Proppe (Strong Towns)

Spring has finally sprung! Suddenly our streets are filled with bikers emerging from their winter hibernation. All around the Twin Cities, Nice Ride Minnesota stations are popping up. I love that the bicycles are the same bold and vivid green of the tulips and daffodils pushing forth from the thawing earth this time of year. Next month is National Bike Month. To get in the spirit, I would like to suggest some easy ways for churches to be more bike friendly.