What's Going Down(town)

Groups rally to block city on changes to Calhoun
Link (JG)

“While the opponents had some concerns about the necessity of making Calhoun two-way, they were most bothered by the city’s plans to rip up some of the sidewalk and replace the street-side trees. To make room for delivery trucks, the city plans to eliminate part of the sidewalk on each side of Calhoun. Trees and planters then would be replaced by other trees and amenities.

The city previously has argued that many of the trees have to be removed regardless of the project because they have outgrown their space. The new streetscape would allow a greater growth area for the trees, allowing them to grow more quickly. The new plans would place them closer to the curb, maintaining or increasing the amount of usable sidewalk space on both sides, city officials said.

Jim Sack, a project opponent, presented a petition with more than 250 signatures of people who want to leave Calhoun as it is.

“They feel that street is one of the nicest in Fort Wayne, and they don’t want it destroyed,” he said.

Mac Parker, a longtime downtown attorney, also criticized the project because of concerns about removing the trees that add to the ambience of the street. He also said that because traffic routes have proven adequate to handle events at Parkview Field, another north-south route isn’t necessary.”

Council mulls more oversight of city’s awarding of contracts
Link (NS)

“A proposed ordinance to approve a construction contract for changes to a two-block downtown section of Calhoun Street brought several citizens before the council. The Calhoun Street Streetscape project, costing in excess of $1 million, as bid by Hipskind Concrete, would change the existing one-way section of Calhoun between Berry Street and Washington Boulevard to two-way and would add a turn lane, street-side parking for delivery vehicles and increase sidewalk width.

Jim Sack came with 255 signatures of people opposed, and said, “This project proposes destruction of the nicest part of downtown Fort Wayne at a cost of $1 million, plus interest on the bond.””

Calhoun Street widening; High Performance Government comments
Link (AFW)

“In case you’re not familiar with the project, this will remove the planters, trees and much of the sidewalk in the two block stretch on Calhoun Street between Berry and Jefferson Boulevard. This is one of the most beautiful pedestrian friendly stretches of our downtown. The plans, if I remember correctly, will provide for on-street parking and turn the stretch into two-way traffic.

This will be an interesting discussion, and the project will be funded with CEDIT Bond monies which will add interest and bonding fees to the cost.”