MEETINGS ON STREET PRIORITIES COMMENCE

Public transportation, widening Broadway, marking streets and traffic light safety were identified as several needs of citizens at the first Vision 2000 transportation meeting Tuesday.

Mount Auburn, Bloomfield and Hopper roads followed as the most urgent projects that deserve attention.

Public transportation became one of the hottest issues because the taxi coupon program isn't being fully utilized. Seven participants listed public transportation as the most urgent need.

City Councilman Melvin Gateley, who is directing the series of meetings, said he will use data from the first meeting at subsequent meetings.

"The priority of every transportation project identified in the capital improvement plan after 1995 can change if the public says it's important enough," Gateley said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has listed 40 transportation projects earmarked for capital improvement funding. Nineteen of those projects haven't been funded.

Citizens who feel strongly about a project should either show up at the meetings or make their opinions known to members of the planning commission or city council, Gateley said.

"Now is the time to say what you think needs to be done so the city council can have a feel for making a priority for some of these projects," Gateley said. "That is why these meetings are so critical."

Thirty-seven people attended the meeting at the First Baptist Church.

The 40- to 45-minute discussion culminated in a top-five ratings list of transportation problems.

Gateley added the points and compiled a list that will be used at the next meeting.

"Mount Auburn was mentioned six times, so that is obviously a street project that is on the minds of the people who showed up today," he said. Broadway was listed 15 times.

Three projects involving Mount Auburn Road are in the capital improvement plan.

The next meeting to discuss the same street projects and others will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1820 Perryville Road.