Published: January 23, 2008 11:18 am      

Council: streets may close, lake study to continue

In a crowded chambers, Ada City Council entertained discussion on closing one block of east Main Street and one block of Francis Street.

The East Main Cultural Arts District committee requested the street be closed to vehicular traffic to better serve not only the community, but students of East Central University. Construction on the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center began a year ago.

Now that the university’s campus will cross Main Street, members of the EMCAD feel it would be in the best interest of the Ada community to close the streets.

East Central University President Dr. Richard Rafes presented the proposal to council on behalf of the East Main Street Arts District.

In his presentation, Rafes said the proposed plaza would provide an outdoor space for artistic fairs, performances and other community activities, create a safe pedestrian space and it would be free of traffic, provide a safe area for students to cross the street between classes and provide adequate lighting.

Rafes said in closing Main Street, the city and taxpayers would save money as the plaza costs less than street renovation.

When asked who would maintain the area, Rafes said ECU is more than willing to be cooperative in making that decision. He said the university could maintain and enhance the area through landscaping and keeping the property clean.

Handicap parking and a drop off area for those with difficulty would be to the immediate west of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, as the west entrance would be the handicap accessible entrance anyway.

A citizen who was present at the council meeting voiced concerns over Center Street and the condition it would be in once reopened.

Councilmember Barbara Young and Vice Mayor Roger Cupps said when Center Street was requested to be closed for construction of the fine arts center, the council had discussed refinishing Center Street and had already agreed.

Cupps said he had no problem with fixing the street if someone came in and built a $27 million arts center.

The same concerned citizen asked about traffic congestion around Willard School and how would it be affected if the two streets were closed.

Mayor Frank Stout said he had picked up his kids for the past year and hadn’t had any problem.

Council members and Rafes all stated that there was no destination on the particular block of Main Street and Francis Street.

“Main Street dead ends anyways,” Stout said.

Rafes said it would be the same distance if Center was taken to Tenth Street and back east to Francis rather than taking Main all the way to Francis. Once the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center is completed, cars will have no reason to travel the two specific blocks.

Young asked how the view of the Old Science Hall would be affected if the plaza were built. Rafes said it would not be affected anymore than it already is.

Rafes specified that the safety issue of students is a main concern of the university.

“There will be hundreds of students crossing that street each day,” he said. He continued saying that as alumni and as president of the university, safety is an issue.

Council Member Darrell Nemececk pointed out a block of Francis was already closed and vacated. The block he referred to would connect Francis Street between Main and 12th Street. He also said a portion of Tenth Street was also blocked off as part of the parking lot north of the Physical and Environmental Science building.

The discussion of closing the streets was concluded by Stout encouraging the public to contact their council members and express opinions on the subject.

Council revisited the Scissortail Lake feasibility study in other business. City Manager David Hathcoat gave a brief summary on the workshop and special meeting council held two weeks ago.

Hathcoat said the study would help council in presenting the lake proposal to the public.

“It doesn’t mean we will build the lake,” he said.

Young reiterated she felt it was the publics decision to decide on the lake and wants the public to be properly informed.

“It’s so important the public come and participate in the public meetings,” she said.

Cupps said the lake has been discussed for the past 50 years as an alternate water source, but was never presented to the public.

“As we move through this,” Young said, “everyone will get all the information they need. I don’t think anybody wants to stop this.”

With that statement, Young moved the council approve to continue with the feasibility study, which will only study how the lake would be paid for.

The council members present unanimously voted to continue with the study. Councilmember Dick Scalf was not present.