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18th Street CorridorI don't understand the interest in an 18th Street corridor from 24. It goes over a rough railroad crossing, up, over, and down an old bridge at an ackward angel, by several old businesses that aren't that nice looking, over another elevated railroad crossing, and finally enters a residential area of narrow streets. It finally dumps out east of the Downtown Shopping Area and west of the East End Shopping Malls. Its a "tweener" and with Market and Broadway both being oneways it is very inconvenient for Downtown shopping. I think traffick flows will have to change along with widening of the street. Homeowners parking along 18th Street aren't going to like those changes very much. I would think that developing the Burlington entrance would be far better for the Downtown Area and as much of it is already 4 lanes it would be much easier to upgrade. Eastend shoppers can still come in east of town where a widened and improved road already exists. I know there is big money involved in developing the Eastend as opposed to Burlington but I see this as asking for trouble from homeowners. Maybe I am totally wrong but I don't think so.
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I Agree
I don't see the reasoning of using 18th Street as a gateway to the downtown and east end. I think that the cost to improve 18th Street to accomodate the increase in traffic flow and to improve and negotiate both sets of railroad tracks, would be far more expensive than creating an exit off the HHIC to Burlington Avenue.
I think the plan for 18th Street is funnel traffic down Erie Avenue to the downtown district. Still you will have traffic increasing down a street where there are many youngsters and a neighborhood that does not have the best curb appeal in the city, although it is does seem to be improving.
I thought that the widening of 600E (Cass Station Rd) was done to allow access to the east end from the HHIC? If this is not going to be used as such, then why did we waste the funds to improve that county road?
James Delp
james_delp901@comcast.net
www.myspace.com/rich1121
Exit Stage Right....I Mean Wrong
I happen to agree with both of you on this issue.
The 600 East Project was marketed as the corridor to the East End from the HHIC. Now everyone claims it was never meant to connect the HHIC to the East-end. Huh?
Did we have millions of dollars burning a hole in our pocket that day? Or is it a convenient back-step for those that are pushing the 18th street exit? One thing's for certain...It's one of the two.
600 East is the logical East end connector. It now has wide enough roads to accommodate larger traffic loads, and has the most direct route, without many interruptions in traffic flow. With the addition of a traffic light at 600 E. and Old 24, this corridor would be rather flawless as a connector for commercial, and consumer traffic to the East end from the HHIC.
Now I know that I'll be deemed an obstructionist (again), that is anti-east end. That's the furthest thing from the truth. This has nothing to do with Downtown vs. The East End. It has to do with the preservation of the quality of Life for the people living in the neighborhoods adjacent to this proposed 18th street connector project.
Imagine living on a quiet street one day, and having a high volume commercial route in your front yard the next.
It would wreck their property values, of which are volatile at best, and strip away any, and all chances for improvement within the area. This will foster an atmosphere of less assessed property values, less capitol investment in the properties, with an increase of slum and blight as more people move away from the area.
The Burlington exit makes the most sense. As it is already a commercial corridor. To funnel traffic into downtown through Erie Avenue, is foolish. Why on earth would you funnel traffic down a street that ends at an intersection of two one way streets???? (5th and Market)
I maintain the fact that all GOOD urban planning ALWAYS will funnel incoming traffic into the city core, as to distribute the traffic to all other areas. This style of traffic planning solidifies proper growth within the city core, and without a vibrant and healthy core, the community growth will stagnate.
I say continue the improvement on 600 East. Add proper traffic lights if needed, and add adequate way-finding signs when needed...and call it a day.
The Burlington Exit, or an 18th street to Burlington Exit, makes the most sense for most of the community.
Let's not take a step back into the future.
Kado Downs
http://logansport.myminicity.com/
http://twitter.com/kadodowns
Another thought here
Since this is becoming an issue for getting traffic off the HHIC to spend money here, but what about the development of the Cass County Indsustrial Park? How can we have access to that area off the HHIC. Has anyone considered upgrading Old Kokomo Pike Road? At least from the HHIC to the industrial drive that connects to the Old Kokomo Pike Road. I know there are a lot of people out here that would not like to see this but this is a viable access that is in dire need of being upgraded. I realize that traffic still could continue on to where the HHIC currently ends then make a left turn, but this could be a secondary route into and out of the industrial park.
As far as the 18th street gateway, I think the greater problem is going to be dealing with the railroads that have the right of way at those 2 crossing. The old yards at 18th street, that crossing is so rough and is used very little by the railroad, but the single track used by CSX is used constantly. There are trains moving across that set of tracks constantly. I don't think they are going to want to shut down that track for any period of time so the city can build an accessible gateway which will cost millions to do.
Also I think the 18th street bridge would need to be upgraded and widened. Several businesses and homeowners may need to be relocated to make this gateway possible. This is the least eye appealing gateway that could possibly be considered.
James Delp
james_delp901@comcast.net
www.myspace.com/rich1121
Main Street
Main Street still connects to Hwy 35 and it brings you to Burlington Avenue. The drive down East Main Street is eye appealing and there are places where business could build and those businesses that exist would have improved traffic. The only draw back is large truck traffic would have problems, but this ok with me if there was a limit of large truck traffic at a point. There are signs out here that direct drivers from 35 to use Main Street as an access to the downtown area. Main Street is in need of resurfacing but that would cost less than what is planned for 18th street.
James Delp
james_delp901@comcast.net
www.myspace.com/rich1121
It is good to see Logansport
It is good to see Logansport folks questioning the 18th corridor proposal. Both 600 East and Burlington Avenue to include Main Street (if necessary), are common sense and economically feasible alternatives to what is being proposed here. Travelers wanting to enter Logansport can get to the downtown via Burlington Avenue and the east end retail areas on 600 East. Signage on the HH once completed can direct traffic accordingly just as they do on interstate highways througout the country. One would have to think that areas around the HH will develop at some point in the future. Why not wait and see where this goes before making decisions on what the infrastructure needs to look like? With the economic climate the way it is, especially in Logansport and surrounding areas it was troubling to read in Sunday's PT that Congressman Donnelly has already been approached and may be pursuing funding for this project even before the public has had a chance to see what is being proposed. Not sure what kind of funding dollars are being looked at here, but if the Federal government is eager to offer financial assistance to Logansport, I can think of a number of projects and people who could use the money. I encourage my fellow Logansport residents to attend the meeting this week and let their feelings be known. If this project is not tabled soon it will continue on and reach a point where nothing can be done to stop it. I plan to be there to let my opinion be known - hopefully someone will listen and it won't be one-sided like so many recent project proposals have been. For whatever reason, government officials at all levels have turned a deaf ear to those that elect them to office.
I've heard a little
I've heard a little about this 18th St. project and all I can say is, "There they go again." It's an absolutely absurd idea, when you have a great start with 600E and a freshly paved Logansport Road to connect the by-pass to the east side. I'm sure regardless of what the citizenry of that town say, the decision has already been made.
Afterall, WHO wouldn't want to be a part of all these projects and growth? Maybe the growing list of industries that have or are about to leave town. Joe Bowyer is right on the money.
By the way, nobody has been able to answer this question. Most towns have four side; why does Logansport have three sides and an end?
18th street
Mayor Mike Fincher
I forgot to mention the tracks. the first set of tracks are heavey traveled. I go that way a lot and don't rmember have them be any problem. The N/S tracks however are different I have sat ther for what seems like 4 hours usually only 10 to 15 minutes. We are looking at several options.for instance going over or under the tracks. It is done in other communities. There is also a safety factor according to what information 3300 kids in school buses cross those tracks each day school is in session. That does not include as I understand it after school activitives. Another reason to take a serious look
My Thoughts on Tonight's Public Meeting
I was very impressed with the turnout tonight. we estimated nearly two hundred people were in attendance.
I'm actually feeling a little better about the proposed corridor. As it was clarified tonight.. the 18th street corridor it is not meant to be the main entrance into town, only an additional entrance into town. The Mayor assured everyone that the main entrance will be the Burlington Ave. exchange. And he also mentioned that upgrades for Burlington avenue are already in the works.
This was just the pre planning stage of the project. And sometime in January, there will be a public planning meeting to allow for public input of the design elements of the corridor.
My main concerns still stand. The project must be sensitive to adjacent residential neighborhoods. The project must be an addendum to the aesthetics of the community. Commercial truck traffic must be prohibited, and rerouted to 600 east. The Burlington Exit must be given equal attention. And the project must be pedestrian friendly.
All of these elements seem to be the main concern of the design company in charge of the overall plan.
So for the time being, I choose to stay positive about the corridor....but, that can change at any second...lol
I'd love to get some feedback from others that were in attendance at the meeting.....What did you think?
Kado Downs
http://logansport.myminicity.com/
http://twitter.com/kadodowns
18th street
Mayor Mike Fincher
let me give some history on this topic, but before I do I want to remind everyone about coffee with the mayor we have often discusseed this issue at the coffees. Anyway when teh HHIC was laid out it bypassed the east end of the towns business district those in charge at that time did get or were not involved in the design process. that being said there was a N/S exit planned off the Heartland in the neighborhood of the Herd's Seeder company. Then congressman Chocola found an earmark to put a study together for that corridor. It was decided that the cost would to prohibitive it would have meant a bridge crossing teh Wabash River Pottawatomie Road and the Railroad if memory serves me that bridge would have been somewhee around $75 million plus we would have had to medigate several weatlands and there were other costly eviromental issues so it was put on hold for a while. While that was going on Jim Weaver and I went to Washington to discuss the interchange at Burlington Ave. Burlington Ave will be the primary evtrance in to town and we are working on the design of that as well anyway we still have to make it convenient for the tarveling public. If Main Street is used and we bypass 18th street they will go to D/T then be forced to travel back to the east. If any of you have ever done much traveling you know if itisn't convenient it usually isn't the way we go. That is what make 18th street an option. Take in too account the new Ivy Tech it will be inviting as well i believe (know) there will be an increase in tax base around the campus and we need to enhance that with easier access to the Ramada Inn the Holiday Inn Express and other motels on the est part of town. We are forced to do things this way because of not being involved in the past concernig the location of the highway. It is very difficult trying to explain this over the internet and i hope I have cleared it up a little. We will have meeting in the future and I encourage you to atttend. Thanks
600E (Old Cass Station Rd)
Mr. Mayor
Are you saying then that 600E is not an option to the east end business district? If this is the case then why did we put the money into upgrading that county road? With properly placed signage directing traffic this is much better and cheaper option.
James Delp
james_delp901@comcast.net
www.myspace.com/rich1121
my opinion
Our family lives on U.S. 35 between Logan and Walton. And this is how our family deals with getting into town to do our shopping and such. If we are planning on paying bills, shopping, working, etc. on the east end of Logansport (for the areas from Eastgate Plaza and heading east)then we take the 600E (Cass station Road) route. If we are planning on going into the west side of Logansport we take the Main/Burlington route(for any areas from China Lane and heading west). And if we are just going to the middle of Logansport such as 6th Avenue and up through the Eastgate Plaza then we get into town through the 18th street route. So actually within a weeks time we might enter Logansport through all 3 routes several times depending on which side of town we want to get to.
For example lets say we want to go to D&R Fruit Market, Big Lots, China Lane, and Walmart. We decide which place we want to go to first then work our way to the opposite side of town. So we might switch it up and go into Logan using the 600E route and go to Walmart then Big Lots, and then China Lane, then D&R last, then head out the Main/Burlington route, or the Hwy 24 west/35 south route. But we always end up going in one side (east,middle, or west) and coming out a different side. But all 3 of those routes are very important to us.