Calhoun Street $1 million needless change: Where’s the vote?
Posted by AWB in City & County GovernmentIf you’ve ever been on Calhoun Street and enjoyed a meal on the sidewalk in front of the Slice and Pint, imagine doing it after they allow trucks to park while delivering. Pizza, a and pint of beer while you inhale diesel exhaust fumes.
S-09-07-19
AN ORDINANCE approving construction contract #7203-2008, Calhoun Street Streetscape Conversion between Hipskind Concrete and the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, in connection with the Board of Public Works – Total cost of $1,006,300
Considering the budget shortfall we have coming next year, if we’re spending money it should have a rate of return or create jobs. Mayor Henry was recently quoted as saying Calhoun Street “is a personal inconvenience for me.” I guess that’s excuse enough to ruin a beautiful part of downtown. By the way, we changed it from a two-way street to what it is now, back in 1996.
One issue that has been brought up is the maintenance and watering of the flower planters. A group opposing the destruction of Calhoun street suggested allowing local Calhoun street businesses to “adopt a planter” and to maintain and water them. Signs could be placed on the individual planters akin to the “adopt-a-highway” program which would allow them to display their civic pride. One member of that group has already secured commitments from several business, and is certain they can have all of the planters adopted in short order.
From what we’ve been able to gather below are the current council positions on the destruction of Calhoun Street:
Tim Pape – supports
Karen Goldner – supports
Mitch Harper – no
Tom Smith – no
John Shoaff – no
Marty Bender – no (see below)
Liz Brown – unknown
Tom Didier – unknown
Glynn Hines – unknown
Yesterday afternoon we emailed Brown, Didier, Hines and Bender asking their positions. As of 2:30 today, we received one response.
As of right now my feeling is that we shouldn’t spend the money and leave it as it currently is, a one way northbound street.
Marty Bender
We need your support against this waste of money, and the destruction of the city’s most beautiful downtown streetscape. Below is the contact information for city council as listed on the city’s web site. Call them and express your views.
Liz Brown – At-large
260-485-1504
Liz.brown@ci.ft-wayne.in.us
John Shoaff – At-large
260-459-0221
jshoaff@proparkwest.com
Marty Bender – At-large
260-747-1955
martin.bender@ci.ft-wayne.in.us
Tom Smith – 1st district
No email
260-422-1307
Karen Goldner – 2nd district
260-471-5308 (home)
kgoldner@verizon.net
Tom Didier – 3rd district
260-489-4559
tdidiers5@verizon.net
Mitch Harper – 4th district
260-436-4824
mtchharper@aol.com
Tim Pape – 5th district
260-423-9411 (work)
pape@carsonboxberger.com
Glynn Hines – 6th district
260-447-7144
glynnhines@aol.com
You can also send an email to the council’s general email address, call the office, or, send a fax:
260-427-1445
Fax: 260-427-2979
citycouncil@cityoffortwayne.org
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The cost is higher. It is a bond, so add in interest. Then, you have the lost revenue to the businesses, perhaps smaller payrolls. The stores will suffer while the street is demolished and reconstructed. Figure $1.8 million as the real cost to the city, hard to tell what the cost will be to the businesses they are trying to “help.”
I read on the other article that Brown is voting for this? I thought she was a conservative? What the hell is wrong with her anyway. When’s the next election for city council, if she votes that was I’ll start a campaign against her starting the minute the vote is cast.