03-26-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2001 football is proposed and also band practice. Mr. Hebard noted that the site design is basically developed to reduce congestion on the site surrounding the high school. Currently there is a significant amount of congestion at the intersection of Wall Street and Twyckenham Avenue. They have designed a bus drop off lane and a drop off plaza in the front of the historic main tower entry to the high school rejuvenating the main entrance to the high school. The buses will exit and head north on Twyckenham and they will not cross the traffic going south. Angled off site parking will be developed along Wall Street per the City Engineer's direction. The parking will be in the eastward orientation so that the cars would exit and head north on Greenlawn again reducing congestion at Wall Street. Additionally, they have created a number of drop -off and pick up points for students around the school. The northeast parking lot is slated for staff parking. This will assure that all the students won't be existing onto Wall Street into the neighborhoods at the close of school. This will also reduce congestion along Wall Street and the neighborhoods. A path sidewalk, eight (8) feet wide, will be developed creating access from the neighborhood at the north, looping around the track and coming back to the current stop light location at Mishawaka Avenue which will cross over to IUSB. The trees that have been removed on the park property will be replaced two (2) for one (1). Councilmember Kirsits inquired if the traffic light at Greenlawn and Mishawaka Avenue will remain as well as a safe pedestrian crossing at that location. He noted that without the cross street, the traffic might go through the light. Councilmember Kirsits further noted that the plan indicates that the median contains green space and he inquired if a pedestrian island was going to be created half- way across for people trying to cross at that location. Mr. Gilot advised that it is the City's intent to keep the traffic signal there for the purpose of pedestrian movements. There will be a push button to activate the light to stop the traffic so that pedestrians could cross. The presence of a grass median provides yet another safe oasis for people mid -way across and there will be a crosswalk between the walkway indicators. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. The following individuals spoke in favor of the bill: Mr. Chris Murphy, 1008 Victory, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that he is a freshman at Adams High School and supports the closing of Greenlawn because he is a member of the marching band and the basketball team. As a member of the band they use the practice field for marching drills and practicing. As a member of the basketball team they use the track for summer and fall conditioning. Without the closing of Greenlawn, all athletics, marching band, physical education classes, as well as the general public, will be affected. Mr. Murphy stated that every day residents of the area use the tennis courts, the track and football field for exercise. Busing of athletes and the band to other schools is more expensive and a waste of valuable practice time. Other schools have practice fields at their schools and he asked that they do not make Adams the only school without a practice field. Ms. Barbara Saunders Brownell, 1407 Sunnymede, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she has always supported the Park Department as the City parks are a breath of life to the community. Ms. Brownell summarized her involvement in various actions at the city parks. She stated that she also supports the school corporation's efforts to update their buildings. The school corporation needs a part of Greenlawn closed to continue the Adams High School project. Ms. Brownell stated that the plan seems to not only better Adams High School but enhances a part of Potawatomi Park that is underutilized. She noted that the traffic will be less busy on Greenlawn once people realize they cannot get to Mishawaka Avenue. The street will be used solely as a route to the zoo and park. She noted that the number of high schools in the corporation is the job of the school board. Adams High School needs a bigger building and the only logical place they can turn is to the Park Department which gave its approval. In conclusion, Ms. Brownell noted that it is essential that the City and the school corporation work together for the betterment of the education program for all students. Mr. John Phair, 1612 East Washington, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he supports the closing of Greenlawn and believes that Potawatomi Park will be better than before. A little used open I- I-