99-73 VACATING PORTION OF A STREET - 1100 AND 1200 BLOCKS OF WEST DECATUR STREET

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ti ' . Decatur City Plan Commission July l, 1999 Page Nine Mr. Shampine questioned whether the pedestrian right of way to be provided eases Mr. Smith's concern. Mr. Smith stated that the emergency vehicles would have to go around and it is too late to improve Forrest. Mr. James Midell, 8 Lake Crest Drive, was present and spoke against the petition stating that he lived on West Decatur Street for 23 years and is very much against closing the street. Mr. David Wright, 1375 West Riverview, was present and spoke against the petition stating that the railroad underpass on Decatur Street is necessary. He stated if the street is closed and Millikin University continues to develop there will be increased traffic in the area that will have to travel on Wood and Main Streets. Mr. Wright stated that the City is moving too fast to close the street and questioned if Millikin was given special consideration. Mrs. Gore, 1955 West Riverview, was present and spoke against the petition stating that closing Decatur Street would cause a delay in ambulance service. She stated that it is very important to leave Decatur Street open as Main Street floods, there are falling rocks on Sunset and there could be a train on Wood Street. Mr. Nichols sated that although there have not been any costs incurred by the City that might change if improvements are needed on Forrest or Main Street requires widening. Mr. Charles Tyus, 1303 West Riverview, was present and spoke against the petition stating that he has lived on the west side of Decatur for the past 25 years and uses Decatur Street as a through street which he considers a vital passageway. Mr. Tyus stated that he applauds Millikin University and the City of Decatur for fornung a valuable partnership to revitalize the west end of the community. He stated that the problem is that those most affected by the closing of Decatur Street are not being listened to. Mr. Tyus stated that one to two minutes could make the difference if someone's life is at stake. He noted that he is not the only person most frequently using Decatur Street to travel east. Mr. Forgey presented the recommendation of staff: The petitioner proposes to vacate Decatur Streets between Oakland and Fairview Avenues. The Millikin campus is relatively small and must expand in order to accommodate projected growth in enrollment and expansion of academic and athletic programs. The existing campus is also landlocked, with a cemetery to the north, railroad tracks to the east, and two busy thoroughfares—Fairview Avenue and Main Street—to the west and south, respectively. Criven the layout of the existing campus, further development south of Main Street was inevitable.