Laserfiche WebLink
Mvt)u�es <br />�. TFo A%sJ1Ec4TWSk/. <br />�.. _ <br />e�ia r� <br />Vel <br />Department of Engineering <br />-' r. ' City 'of South Bend <br />City-County Building <br />South Bend, Indiana <br />'... <br />ATTN: Rolland Farrand <br />RE: Effects of Chapin Street Widening on theHistoric West <br />Washington Street district " <br />i' <br />Dear.Mr. Farrand: <br />, <br />The Historic Preservation Commission of St. Joseph County is <br />generally against the outlined plan of widening Chapin Street <br />(between Western Ave..and Washington St.) for the following . <br />} <br />- reasons: <br />1. Widening the street from the present 44 feet to the proposed <br />52 feet and increasing the traffic flow will cut a portion* <br />of the present Historic District. Pedestrian crossing.would <br />► <br />be impeded lessening the possibilities•of preserving the` <br />residential aspects of the neighborhood., <br />" 2'. Removing the trees along the parkway would"increase the noise <br />and dirt levels along`the street as well ar decrease the esthetic. <br />view. <br />3. Although vehicle safety may be improved-pedestrian safety. <br />could be jeapordized by the resulting narrow sidewalks and <br />the close proximity of high speed traffic. <br />There appears to be no method of lessening the impact on the <br />'District o'f'�this project with the exception of replanting trees ` <br />along the `�esidentlal portion and providing pedestrian crosswalks. <br />Without stop lights at intervals along the section-or some other <br />pedestrian protection there seems to be little chance of'pro- <br />viding pedestrian safety or keeping the District from being <br />severed. <br />' <br />- A possible less expensive alternative plan to widening would be <br />-: <br />to ban parking along the street at all times. This action would <br />remove the objetions outlined above.. The,sidewalks and trees <br />-. <br />`. <br />could remain and the effect on the District would be .lessened. <br />:The Commission realizes that certain objectives could be-gained <br />by thea project. These being increased traffic flow and possible <br />improvement of the physical appearance of certain portions of <br />. <br />the street. However, itis felt that the disadvantages_ outweigh <br />the possible gains. <br />