Chestnut Street proposal postponed

A proposal to temporarily close Chestnut Street as a way to improve enforcement of parking regulations on the street has been parked once again.

Lincoln University has previously requested the street be vacated to allow for a pedestrian plaza on campus.

During the Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee meeting Thursday, committee member and 4th Ward Councilwoman Carrie Carroll made a motion to approve the measure of a temporary gate on the street that would block traffic for certain hours of the weekdays.

But before the committee could vote on the motion, city attorney Drew Hilpert said he received a call from Mayor Eric Struemph who was speaking with Lincoln University President Kevin Rome, and Struemph was very interested in vacating the street instead of any temporary closure.

The city previously discussed vacating the street, but several nearby residents had expressed opposition to the proposal. City staff also has said the street may be needed as a potential detour during the Lafayette interchange project, scheduled to begin next year.

Scrivner said he was surprised the mayor would be having a meeting with Rome on the subject and not discuss it with the committee.

"I'm a little stunned to be honest with you," Scrivner said.

The committee took no action, with Carroll's motion dying for a lack of a second after Scrivner withdrew his support.