Plans for a traffic signal at Sixth Street and Congressional Drive are moving ahead.
Commissioners on a 4-1 vote approved a benefit district that will pay for the costs of the traffic signal and other improvements near the intersection that will become a major entrance for a new Wal-Mart store.
The Wal-Mart and related development will pay for two-thirds of the estimated $330,000 cost. The property owners of the other three corners of the intersection will pay for the remaining one-third.
Cliff Cohn, an owner of the Prairie Commons Apartment Complex at 5121 Congressional Circle, objected to being included in the benefit district. He said the costs to pay for the traffic signal would require an increase in rents at his complex, which primarily serves low-to-moderate income elderly residents.
The city's legal staff argued that Cohn had signed in the mid-1990s an agreement not to protest a benefit district. Cohn, though, argued that the agreement not to protest did not include traffic signal projects.
City Commissioner Mike Amyx sided with Cohn, and voted against the benefit district, although he said he supported the need for a traffic signal.
Comments
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SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
I'm excited about our city's new Wal Mart!
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Oh my gosh $330,000!!! Where are all the roundabout haters? Don't you see how much traffic lights are? Plus the electricity to run it and maintenance! All the gas wasted sitting at the most horribly timed lights in the world I think sometimes! Oh my gosh, where are all those people worried about the cost of the evil roundabouts or are they better referred to as "too much trouble going around when on the cellphone"?
toefungus (anonymous) says…
Why in the world would you put a low to moderate income development in a new area with rising property values and surrounding development? At least a good thing is they will be able to cross the street to get to a store they can afford to shop in, and maybe the shorter trip will reduce gasoline usage enough to pay for the rent increase.