A resolution to establish a plan for Clark Avenue and Chestnut Street is expected to be discussed Thursday morning, after the Jefferson City Council opted not to take any action Monday.
Just before the council meeting Monday, Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner handed out copies of a draft resolution meant to address issues associated with a proposal to vacate Chestnut Street.
The council had put a bill to vacate Chestnut Street - from Dunklin Street to Atchison Street to allow Lincoln University to create a pedestrian plaza - on the informal calendar at the Oct. 19 meeting, after 54 people spoke on the issue. Of those who spoke, 36 were in favor of vacating the street and 18 were against. Of the 36 in support, a majority were either students or employees of Lincoln University, while a majority of those opposed were residents of the neighborhood.
Scrivner said the intent now is to let that bill die on the informal calendar, instead using the resolution to address issues brought up at the Oct. 19 meeting. At the pre-meeting, held just before the actual City Council meeting, council members indicated a desire to discuss the resolution at the Public Works and Planning Committee meeting Thursday morning before taking any action.
The resolution states staff will:
- Engage in discussions with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and incorporate the Clark Avenue interchange and corridor improvements in its planned 2016-2017 study;
- Allow closure of Chestnut Street, between east Dunklin Street and Atchison Street, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday "so long as Lincoln University is agreeable to installing a barrier to traffic approved by the city's public safety department and to open and close the barrier at the appointed times;"
- Enact safety measures deemed appropriate to improve safety in the areas where traffic would likely divert to if Chestnut Street is closed;
- Work with Lincoln University on a plan to enhance public safety on the campus, including a plan to address enforcement of the no parking zone on Chestnut Street. (Though there is no parking allowed on parts of Chestnut Street near the Scruggs University Center, cars are often parked there. The city has difficulty enforcing parking regulations along the street with the largely student population.)
The resolution also states "nothing in this resolution would prevent the council from re-opening Chestnut."
The resolution is expected to be discussed at the Public Works and Planning meeting at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at City Hall.