I fully agree with “Our View” Wednesday, Feb. 23 that the city should not spend $330,000 to match another “free money” grant, this time for the 5th Street project. The city previously spent “matching money” for the roundabout at the end of Main (and I understand the city’s bill was much higher than the $160,000 total mentioned in “Our View’’) without knowing the city’s financial health. I’ve been disappointed that our city engineer has been a cheerleader for both of these wasteful projects.
In addition to being financially irresponsible, the project is a bad idea. It’s purpose is to “make the area more friendly for pedestrians and bicycle riders and to narrow the road with islands and to slow traffic.” This is a main artery into downtown Columbus, not a park. Traffic needs to flow freely. I don’t see much pedestrian traffic or bicycle riders in this area in the first place, and it would not be a proper place for biking anyway. Regarding the proposed “islands” between lanes, Starkville did this on their business Hwy 82 and it has made it difficult for vehicles to get to businesses.
Instead of wasting money on this bad idea, let’s use some money to buy the police and fire departments needed equipment, hire more police, and raise some city employees’ salaries.
Not getting this grant will be a blessing in disguise.
Bill Ford M.D., Columbus
Editor’s note: After publishing the referenced Our View, we were reminded of the city’s Use Tax (internet sales tax) revenues, which must be spent on roads. The city currently has more than $700,000 of accumulated Use Tax.
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