Calhoun Street Debate Continues
By: Kristin Mazur
Updated: August 6, 2009
"”I think what theyre doing is a little ridiculous. They could spend the money in other places” says Ryan Hadley, owner of the Ryan Hadley Studio on S. Calhoun Street.
Hadley is extremely against making a 2-block stretch of Calhoun a 2-way street.
“Keep everything the way it is” adds Hadley.
Across from Hadelys studio is the Pint & Slice. Its not only on opposite sides of the street, but also on opposite sides of the Calhoun Street debate
“The 2-way street is a must” says Pint & Slice owner, Andrew Thomas.
Thomas says widening the streets and adding delivery lanes would make his life a whole lot easier.
“We definitely need some more space” says Thomas.
He gets about three deliveries a week. But deliveries arent the only problem he faces with the current street setup
“People dont stop and notice the businesses. They dont appreciate the buildings and what the block has to offer” says Thomas.
At the City Council meeting tonight, similar debates took place.
“This is an extremely poor use of those funds” says Councilman John Shoaff.
Yet Director of Community Development, John Urbahns thinks “its an extremely appropriate investment in downtown and the City of Fort Wayne will move forward.
The ordnance to approve the contract between Hipskind Concrete and the city did pass tonight with a 5-to-2 vote.
The final vote on the project will take place next week.
