Is Calhoun St. project a good idea?

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - On Tuesday, Fort Wayne's City Council preliminarily approved a million-dollar contract to widen Calhoun between Washington and Berry Streets by adding a delivery and turn lane. That will turn the now one-way street into a two-way street.

Many have criticized the plan, saying it will ruin the look of that part of downtown.  Others wondered if it was wise to spend that kind of money on a project right now.

So NewsChannel 15 took viewers' comments, concerns, and questions straight to city leaders to get some answers.

Is there really enough traffic in that area to warrant this project?  Bob Kennedy, Fort Wayne's Director of Public Works, says it's not just about traffic but about circulation. Because of the library and the Grand Wayne Center expansion, Clinton and Fairfield are the only Southbound streets.
That hurts tourism, it's a burden for visitors, and it's impacting business expansion downtown.

"Once cars get on one way streets they're before you know it out of the whole downtown area," explains Kennedy.

Urban designer Tom Cain says, " If you were to try and imagine yourself trying to get from the National City Bank Building over to the Wells Fargo building you would have to drive three blocks out of your way just to get there."

Kennedy and Cain echo the thoughts of 2nd District Councilwoman Karen Goldner who on Tuesday told NewsChannel 15, "It's very difficult to maneuver downtown if you're not very familiar with it. I think that there's just the user-friendliness of making downtown easier for people who aren't familiar."

Many of our viewers expressed concern that Calhoun Street is going to lose some of its downtown feel, but Cain says that's just not the case. "The floral displays, and the artistic features, we are already going to re-use sculptures that are already on the site."

What about business in that area?

Restaurants Pint & Slice and the Dash Inn will lose two and a half feet of sidewalk.  The other side of the street will lose five and half feet.

But the city says the big planters will be removed and trees will be planted on the curb, giving the businesses more useable room on the sidewalk. "We'll use that zone of trees and planters and lighting fixtures and other features to be the buffer between vehicles and what happens on the sidewalks, says Cain.

So what about the money?

The city says it will all be paid for with a bond for public infrastructure projects. Bob Kennedy says, "Only 3 million of the 30 million are going into supporting business corridor-type projects like Calhoun Street."

City council approved the project more than three years ago. From the beginning, it has faced a lot of criticism for its cost and purpose.

Opponents have given City Council signed petitions against the construction, but those who voted in favor of the contract are standing by their decision.

Council will have a final vote next week. Construction is expected to start in late August.