As the World Turns

 

 

"You don't need a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows."

--Bob Dylan

 

 

From another correspondent...

 

"I don't know who keeps bringing up the idea of two-way streets for Spring,
Market, Elm, Bank and Pearl....

 

The traffic has moved very well for 30 years the way
the streets are now...

 

Get the People in the community
and the business community as a whole involved with their opinions...

 

Do they really have some concrete reason as to why it is better than the traffic pattern we now have in the city."

 

______________

 

I've heard the discussion of the merits of two-way versus one-way streets for a number of years now.

 

 Although my memory is not faultless, I believe I remember a time when Elm Street was two way. (my grandfather lived on Elm Street, and I spent a lot of time there. I listened to the adults discussing it) Similarly, I believe I remember Market Street as two way. I don't think I remember Spring Street as two way.

 

I have a hard time believing that the conversion of one way streets to two way streets is a panacea. Likewise, I can't believe that the conversion would be a problem for the City either. I've seen any number of befuddled drivers practicing the ultimate in traffic calming--putative one ways--as they make the incorrect assumption that an unfamiliar New Albany street is patterned after most streets they have encountered in their lives, as they turn the wrong way onto a one way street.

 

Too many accommodations have been made to the automobile. Downtown New Albany is a part of the city predating the car. Ironically, it is the part of the City most encumbered by hoop-jumping on behalf of the car. A vibrant, functional, walkable city allows automobiles into its space on its terms, not on the interlopers' terms. For too long the car has held the upper hand in the ordering of our downtown.

 

 

Some of those who have crafted the recent and recognized rebirth of our city have asked that two way traffic be the norm. Just as in the past, those holding the high cards, called the turn to one way streets, now we must let those holding the hot hands direct us forward.

 

I'm sponsoring a resolution to forgo studies to tell us that one way streets should yield to two way traffic. We paid for a study in 2007. Let's follow that study which said that Pearl, Bank and market Streets could be immediately converted to two way traffic. Mr. Rosenbager, at the last Council meeting , stated that given intersections could be studied for a "couple grand" apiece. Two intersections on Spring Street, at Vincennes and at State Streets, and two intersections on Elm Street, also at Vincennes and at State Streets may need additional study to allow for their conversions. If that's the case, we may be facing a cost of something considerably less than $20,000; a far cry from the $60,000 figure suggested by some.

Can't we direct that additional spending in a more productive direction?

 

Implementation of the two way conversion itself, will cost something. Much of this cost will be covered by federal funds, we are told.  New signs will be needed. The existing street lights will need to be adjusted for two way traffic. New striping of the streets will be required. We don't need to spend new money on a study to reiterate what we've been told before, and what many of us know to be true.

 

If we need additional input into the decision to convert or stay with the status quo, let's use the charrette as our method of gathering information and forming consensus. We have the expertise to chart our own course and make our own decisions on this rather simple matter. 

 

Let's today, make our own way.