by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Kentucky Avenue “is not safe,” insisted a Sewanee resident at the Oct. 23 Sewanee Community Council meeting. He lives on Kentucky Avenue, just a short distance from Tennessee Williams Center events, but always drove because he and his wife were afraid to walk on the narrow street with no sidewalks, no shoulder, and blind curves. Council representative Michael Payne brought the need to address danger to pedestrians on Kentucky Avenue to the Council’s attention.

Nationwide, pedestrian deaths were “at an all-time high,” Payne pointed out. On Kentucky Avenue construction vehicle traffic increased the danger to pedestrians, with construction vehicles typically 9-feet wide and Kentucky Avenue just 18 feet wide. Adding to the risk, motor vehicles typically traveled 30-40 mph, and not infrequently 50 mph, ignoring the 20-mph speed limit. Council representative Laura Willis concurred. Motorists used Kentucky Avenue to bypass University Avenue, Willis said.

On Payne’s suggestion, an ad hoc committee consisting of University, council, and law enforcement representatives will look into reducing the risk to pedestrians. Payne acknowledged sidewalks were “expensive” and proposed considering hard rubber “speed humps” like those in frequent use in Chattanooga. The Monteagle Assembly recently installed speed bumps a local resident said.

Taking up the ongoing parking-shortage dilemma, the council reviewed what worked and what was learned from the strategies employed during the recent Family Weekend. “It was a good test of the system we’re working towards,” said Provost Scott Wilson. Sewanee hosted 2,500 guests. The lessons learned included the need for “more reliable and more frequent” transportation to and from periphery parking lots; blocking the Fulford Hall parking lot the night before events to guarantee availability the following day; and the need for another “low-speed vehicle” to transport people to and from periphery parking. Law enforcement officer Chip Schane cited the effectiveness of cones in preventing parking in bike lanes and suggested “more permanent” barriers. “It’s a work in progress,” Shane said.

“We’re working toward more permanent [parking] solutions,” Wilson said, “but those involve an approval process from the road commissioner, TDOT, and other regulatory agencies.”

Several residents complained about missing events because there was so little ADA compliant parking, stressing the hardship of walking long distances with a walker. The law required nearby ADA compliant parking, one resident said, and suggested bike lane traffic only be allowed during non-event hours. Another resident pointed out the University Avenue bike lanes were not wide enough for ADA compliant parking. Wilson said the solution under consideration provided for several ADA compliant spots. The law prohibited parking in bike lanes, Payne said, noting Sewanee had frequent bike travel before formal bike lanes existed. “Why do we need bike lanes?” Payne asked. Council representative Marilyn Phelps insisted cyclists on sidewalks endangered pedestrians. Council representative John Solomon and others pointed to vastly improved visibility on University Avenue since pedestrians were not crossing from between parked cars. The measures taken were “good for the short term,” Solomon said.

In regular business, the council approved two Community Funding Project grant requests, one conditionally. The council will award $3,642 to St. Mark’s Community Center to pay for installation of a sewage grinder pump. South Cumberland Community Fund donations paid for purchasing the pump. The council approved, conditionally, $5,000 for the cleanup and Phase 1 restoration of Woodlands Park, which would include a pavilion and barbecue grill. Phelps noted all the labor would be done by volunteers, with the funding paying only for supplies. Playground restoration will come later. The Vice Chancellors’ office also pledged $5,000 to the restoration effort. The Community Funding Project will withhold support pending Facilities Management approval, since Woodlands Park is on University property. The council administers awarding $10,000 annually for Community Funding Project grants to enhance the quality of life in the community. A new grant cycle begins in January.

Wilson reminded residents those with action items for the council should contact their council representative to be added to the agenda. Wilson welcomed and encouraged community involvement.