JACKSON EAST MAIN EXTENSION DISCUSSED

JACKSON - The Jackson Board of Aldermen will make a decision on the exact location of the East Main Street extension before the end of the year, said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander.

Construction of the extension from Ridge Road to Interstate 55 will probably not begin for at least another 5-10 years.

Sander's comment to property owners and other interested citizens came during a public hearing held Tuesday prior to the regular meeting of the Jackson Board of Aldermen. The meeting was moved to Tuesday because of Labor Day.

The public hearing was held to gather input from property owners and citizens on the location of the corridor.

The city is proposing that a 9,500-foot-long corridor one that would vary in width from 80-200 feet be reserved for the future extension of a four-lane, East Main Street to I-55, where it will link up with an interchange.

At this time, only one house is located in the path of the corridor. Sander said establishing a corridor now for East Main will prevent any future housing development from occurring on the right-of-way.

Alderman LeRoy Brown noted the East Main Street extension is part of an overall capital project plan to prepare for the growth of the city. "We're looking at 15 years from now and planning for the development that is going to occur along that corridor," he said.

Several property owners expressed concern about the location of the proposed corridor in relation to their property, and asked if it could be changed. Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen noted the corridor was first suggested about 6-8 years ago; he did not rule out the possibility that it could be changed.

"This (corridor) route is not a done deal," the mayor added.

Developer and attorney John Lichtenegger asked the board to establish the exact location of the corridor as soon as possible so that property owners and developers can go ahead with their plans.

Lichtenegger said he plans to develop the McCrate property, which is in the path of the proposed corridor, starting some time next year. He said he needs to know the exact location of the corridor.

"Let's set this (corridor) in stone right now," he urged.

Sander said additional information on the corridor route may be ready by the board's Sept. 20 meeting.

In other business, the board approved a permit for a block party on Sept. 19, from 4-9 p.m., in the 300 block of Cathy Drive, and gave first reading of an ordinance to establish a sanitary sewer district in a new development on Bainbridge Road.