02/11/86 Board of Public Works Minutes

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0 REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 1986 Mr. Kleva advised that during the summer of 1985 Cole Associates, Inc., conducted a traffic study of five (5) locations in the vicinity of the IUSB campus. Those intersections were: 1. Greenlawn/Mishawaka Avenue 2. Greenlawn/Northside Boulevard 3. Ruskin/Esther 4. Hildreth/Esther 5. Vine/20th Street The intersections listed above are the access points to the campus. The intent of the survey was to determine where vehicular traffic was going. The study was conducted for an eighteen (18) hour period from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, with motorists being stopped and asked their destination. Seventy per cent (70%) of traffic coming into the core area from the five (5) points related to the IUSB campus and other locations in the core area which include Coca Cola Bottling Company, the Associates building and residents of the neighborhood. The remaining individuals utilizing these streets were using Greenlawn for a shortcut to other locations. Mr. Kleva advised that there is no traffic generator, i.e., shopping center, that would require the use of Greenlawn Avenue. He further advised that no one was observed pulling a boat for use at the boat ramp at Memorial Park. Mr. Kleva stated that the university recognizes that the closing of Greenlawn will cause some temporary inconvenience to some people using the street to get to other locations and noted that Greenlawn is a convenient way to get to other locations, but is not the only way to get to these locations. Additionally, there are alternate ways to get to the boat ramps without using Greenlawn Avenue. Mr. Kleva advised the Board that the vacation of Greenlawn is utmost in the minds of the University. Should that vacation not happen, the location of the library would have to be rethought. He reiterated, however, that the library is not the reason for the streets to be closed. The original plans for the campus were to develop to the east, but with the acquisition of the Associates building, the campus automatically skipped Greenlawn to those other areas. Mr. Kleva additionally noted that there are utilities that need to be relocated which will be done at the expense of the university. He further stated that the new library will encroach slightly on the right-of-way on Greenlawn. A new alley, replacing the alley proposed to be vacated, will be dedicated to the City. The first house west of the present alley, which is owned by the University, will be torn down and a new alley dedicated as well as a cul-de-sac being constructed at Hildreth prior to the closing of the street. In response to Mr. Leszczynski's question regarding the proposed timetable for the closing of Greenlawn and the re-routing of traffic, Mr. Kleva advised that if the vacation Petitions are approved, construction could begin this summer. Mr. Kleva additionally stated that a tunnel will be constructed under Greenlawn and would be utilized in light of the fact that the new library would have no service dock. Mr. Kleva advised the Board that the U.S. Army Reserve Center is located at the south end of Greenlawn and concerns have been raised in regards to the Reserve Center entrance which is located on Greenlawn. He stated that as plans are developed, the Center will not be cut off without access and perhaps some type of loop could be constructed to provide access to the reserve center without blocking traffic.