Council Approves Major Change to St. Joe Avenue
By: Robert Lowrey
Updated: March 18, 2013
But it did not come without some debate.
In a 5-4 decision, city council members approved a grant that would make changes to St. Joe Avenue.
One of the most debated changes is to make the four lane road into a three lane road with bike paths and a safe zone for parked vehicles.
"If the road is going to be safer and cause less accidents, then I don't think there is anything that is more important than that," said Sandra Pettit in favor for the change.
But not everyone agreed with the changes. An informal vote found people attending the meeting were split even in support and against it.
"The most dangerous intersection on St. Joe Avenue is on Highland," said Larry Koch, against the change. "And this project does not touch that intersection."
In total, the grant allows for $750,000 to be spent on the changes.
The city would be required to pay for twenty percent of the funding which comes to $150,000 the city is contributing.
The other $600,000 would come from the federal government that requires all the money be used specifically on this project.


