WEST CENTRAL NEIGBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Minutes of June 15, 2009, Meeting

 

 

SPECIAL GUESTS

 

·                  AEP

o       Representative from AEP/I & M  discusses City’s plans to break with AEP

o       Representative provides the history of the City and AEP’s relationship beginning with the 1974 public referendum to enter into the lease agreement

o       AEP pays $2.1 million in taxes and $1.74 million per the lease payment

o       City has option to purchase facilities or extend the lease for 15 years

o       Lease set to expire on February 28, 2010

o       IURC has to approve any agreements

·                  Restructuring of Calhoun Street

o       City Officials (Shan Gunawardena-Tom Cain) (supported)

o       Benefits

§         Calhoun Street Enhancements – will create additional North-South artery which is needed due to closing of Harrison Street

§         Project was discussed when Grand Wayne was constructed since Harrison was blocked

§         Will require 3 ft off east side and 7 ft off west side

§         Lane will be created for delivery vehicles and trees will be removed

§         Mudrack Tree Service will access tree condition

§         ¾ of buildings are not retail businesses

§         Problems with infrastructure which need to be addressed

o       Resident (Jim Sack) (opposed)

§         Discussed closing of Swinney Park Pool because no money is available to fund

§         Questions how city can close pool yet afford $1.1 million for two-way restructuring

§         255 signatures were presented to Mayor Henry in opposition to the project

§         Congestion anticipated by downtown development has not occurred

§         Sewer problem needs to be addressed which has not been done yet

§         Fort Wayne does not have another pedestrian-friendly area other than Calhoun Street

§         Focus is wrong – should be on pedestrians but goal is to get traffic through more quickly

§         Will encourage more traffic and eliminate 6,000 sf of space

o       Motion by B. Codding to take a position; C. Amiker seconds; motion passes 14 to 10

o       Motion by T. DeLong to support two-way project but at the lesser amount of $23,000 and not the $1.1 million; no seconds; motion fails

o       Motion by M. Shank to support project as presented by the City;  L. Jackson seconds; motion passes 17 to 6

 

REPORTS

·                  No reports

o       Due to special presentations on two topics which were provided first, reports were delayed until the end of the session at which time no time was left to give reports

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

·                  Thieme Drive – J. Stark met with city officials and presented the tentative plan discussed in a previous meeting

·                  M. Walsh moves to accept the proposal officially; L. Codding seconds; motion passes

 

OLD BUSINESS

·                  None due to lack of time

 

NEW BUSINESS

·                     None due to lack of time

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

·                     Reminder of June 27th yard sale

 

ADJOURNMENT

·                     Motion to adjourn was made,  seconded, and passed 

 

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

______________________________________

Charlotte A. Weybright, Secretary

West Central Neighborhood Association