by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Aug. 26 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council learned about the speed humps recently installed on two streets, a new student and employee shuttle service, and homes being used for student apartments. The council also heard an update on the stalled Sewanee Village Ventures (SVV) plan to construct apartments

Provost Scott Wilson said the shuttles would run weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on campus, with twice weekly trips to Monteagle and Winchester. He speculated insurance rules were why shuttle service was limited to students and employees. A resident asked if the University would be open to a private shuttle service available to everyone. “Sure,” Wilson replied.

Wilson also pointed to other new transportation and parking enhancements: bike lanes on both sides of University Avenue; parking on the west side; three ADA compliant parking spaces on the east side; expansion of the student bike lending system; bike stalls in some parking lots; and first-year residence assignments further from central campus to encourage students to walk and learn their way around.

Council member Ben Beavers said he usually biked in the traffic lane to avoid car doors opening on the side where parking was allowed. Wilson observed the risk would be worse if the bike lane was next to the curb and a car door opened — “There would be nowhere to go.”

The speed humps on Green’s View Road and Tennessee Avenue appears to be achieving the intended purpose of slowing traffic, Wilson said. Voicing pedestrian approval for the speed humps, a resident said he overheard the comment, “You can put as many speed humps on Green’s View as you want.”

Another resident stressed the need for speed humps on Kentucky Avenue where there were no sidewalks. “It’s not safe to walk,” he said. “I live in fear someone will be seriously injured,” agreed Traffic Committee Chair Michael Payne. “Kentucky Avenue is only 18 feet wide.” Robert Benton, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, explained a Student Security Grant financed the project, making it necessary to prove “student need.” As a result, some streets did not qualify. Payne said the committee would look at recommending other streets for speed hump installation.

Taking up students residing in University owned rental housing, Wilson said two dorms were offline for renovation. Three rental units were being used for student apartments, housing 8-10 students each. The homes had been designated Classical Studies, Creative Guild, and Fine Arts theme houses for “highly responsible” students, Wilson noted. “We have 35-40 more students in the entering class than we expected,” said Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen, “It’s a great problem to have.”

Updating the council on the proposed SVV apartments, Vice President for Economic Development and Community Relations David Shipps said, “The construction estimates we received were beyond what made sense given the vision for the project. We’re going to rethink the project with regard to other options.” Shipps speculated that might mean four or five buildings instead of six. He hopes to have the next “version of options” by the Sept. 23 council meeting.

Jimmy Davis, Business Service Director, reported on an environmental impact assessment being done at the airport to comply with FAA and TDOT regulations prior to tree removal to clear a flight path. The results of the assessment will be shared at a public meeting.

At the Nov. 5 General Election, area residents will vote to select one council representative for each district and two at-large representatives. Election Officer Ben Tarhan said council representatives whose term expires could not run for the same seat, but a district representative could run for an at-large seat and vice versa. Nominating petitions are available at the post office and Sewanee Market and must be turned in by Oct. 14.

Project Funding Committee coordinator June Weber said details on a new grant cycle would be announced in September. Unspent monies from the last cycle will rollover into the upcoming cycle making more funding available. The Project Funding program offers grants for projects improving the quality of life in the Sewanee community. Go to < https://new.sewanee.edu/office...; for more information.