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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />th <br />Mr. Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, 13 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. <br />Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana, advised that 6,000 cars travel on Chapin Street and <br />13,000 cars travel on Western Avenue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dieter asked Mr. Gilot about traffic counts in other areas such as <br />Michigan Street and Main Street. <br /> <br />Mr. Gilot advised that there are approximately 200 signalized intersections and this <br />intersection is in the top 30. <br /> <br />Mayor Luecke advised that this bill is appropriate in maintaining the bridge and <br />providing a safe crossing across Chapin Street. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he would like to see upkeep on the bridge in the <br />future. <br /> <br />Mayor Luecke stated that the Kroc Center and Housing Authority have offered to help <br />shovel snow during the winter. <br /> <br />Oliver Davis asked about ADA requirements. <br /> <br />Mayor Luecke stated that if one of the approach ramps was crumbling and needed to <br />replace that approach ramp, then that new ramp would have to meet ADA specifications. <br />He stated that maintenance does not trigger that requirement. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand if she <br />was aware of the case that was given in the committee meeting. <br /> <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand stated yes she was aware of the case; it <br />took place in 2001 in the City of Indianapolis. <br /> <br />The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill: <br /> <br />Ms. Angela Watson-Washington, 1229 Echo Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she <br />is speaking in favor of the pedestrian bridge. She stated that the bridge has three specific <br />points to keep in mind. She stated first the safety measure, in addition to the <br />improvements that were made at the intersection of Western and Chapin. There is an <br />historic value, as a life time member of South Bend that bridge has been there almost as <br />long as she is old. She stated that there are some sociological benefits that she wants the <br />Council to consider for the community for the area residents and for the future patrons of <br />the Kroc Center. She stated that the bridge also visually represents a connection to new <br />opportunities that the Kroc Center is going to offer. She urged the Council to vote <br />favorably on this bill. <br /> <br />Ms. Gladys Muhammad, 808 N. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, thanked Council <br />Member Henry Davis, Jr. for putting children first today. She stated that she is speaking <br />in favor of repairing the bridge. She stated that she wishes it would be a brand new one, <br />but will settle for repairing the existing bridge. She stated that she feels “it is going <br />nowhere to somewhere.” She stated that it is a bridge out of poverty, and an opportunity <br />for the children in public housing to cross over that bridge and go to the Kroc Center to <br />have those benefits that others in the community have often been entitled to. She stated <br />that it is the difference between open swim and swim lessons. She urged the Council’s <br />favorable consideration. <br /> <br />Mr. Randall Byrd, 425 Alonzo Watson Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is in <br />favor of this bill because it will allow for safe pedestrian crossing to the Kroc Center. He <br />stated that the bridge will get a lot of use. He urged the Council to vote in favor of this <br />bill. <br /> <br /> 10 <br /> <br />