As we approach the Relay for Life, it does bring back memories of the battle, the battle to save friends with cancer, and the dilema in the 1980's of when the cure was worse than the disease itself.
That same problem is now very real for businesses on East Main. They wish there was a 911 to call for help. Where is the access they were promised? At the beginning of the project there was a coordinator employed with DOT who was to coordinate with business to assist in minimizing revenue loss and aid in directing traffic to the businesses. I understand this person was terminated to save cost. Whose cost? The cost to these businesses of that decision seems huge.
I wonder whether after Fox, the contractor for the city, completes their project in 2 days whether one lane one way will be allowed on Main Street to get some traffic through.
It is time to review the cure. Can some CPR or aid be given so that the patient does not die during the cure? What can the city do now to help these businesses?
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I think the city owes them some sort of help. The city wants to sit back and point the finger at the contractors and take no responsibility for what goes on during this project. pleeease.
ReplyDeleteAs I read how Ringhands feed the road crew lunch I wounder who else was involved? Why is it that the small guy has to strive to be the best when the lager fish can just do what they want.Don,t forget it was a small group of men that started this great country, and WHAT now we have to sit back and just watch what we have worked so hard for.Just get shoved over and Play dead I think not.
ReplyDeleteNow that R.T. Fox has finished its work on E. Main St., all of USH 14 is in the hands of WisDOT and its contractors. Any concerns or complaints should be directed to Tara Seaman, the WisDOT engineer supervising the project. That is the reality of the situation. Sorry, folks.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that Huml, a subcontractor for the state's contractor, will soon begin to remove the old roadbed on E. Main St. from Union St. to Water St. This will not be done one side at a time. They will be removing the whole roadbed and curbs and gutters as they work there way down the street, as they did on Union St. and E. Main St. from Water St. to CTH M. Huml also will work on the storm sewers. Access to driveways will be maintained, and residents should call Tara immediately if it is not.
Then Rock Road, the state's prime contractor, will build a new roadbed, as they did on Union St. and E. Main St. from Water St. to CTH M. These other parts of the project look pretty good now, with their new roadbeds and curb and gutter. But getting to that point is unpleasant, to say the least.
By the way, businesses are lining up for an opportunity to feed a lunch to the construction workers. The lunch at Ringhand's also was sponsored by Radio Shack and Allen Realty. Romano's provided the first lunch, and they are one of the businesses hardest hit by the project. I guess it all depends on whether you want to have a positive attitude or not.
Bill Connors
Evansville City Administrator
I understand both sides of this issue. There have been many project changes since this project began. I feel the pain of the construction as much as businesses involved. No access to our homes, having to live in the filth, the noise, interruption of services.
ReplyDeleteMean people who drive by to take "the tour" they speed by stirring up more dirt and dust.
You can expect that as the weather gets hotter so will tempers.
Ringhands shopping center has had adequate access at all times.
I can not see that they have been at all harmed by the construction. If anything they have benefited from it. With the Citgo gone most of the beer and wine business has gone to them.
The frosted side is, we are half way through.
If we can stay focused on the completed picture or at least until we can actually drive on it then we will all be better for it.
Funny that these business that we frequent every day are offering lunch to the workers and nothing to the people that keep them in business before and after they are gone and that are suffering through this at the same time?
It would not be in the best interest of the city to have any of the businesses on Hwy 14 to close the doors for good, so the question is:
1- Is there a emergency fund for these businesses either thru the city or the county?
Or would it be considered as collateral damage.
It is not in the best interest of the city for any business to close its doors, but the city has no fund to help businesses harmed by the construction project.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that in the early days of the project, Ringhand Meats sales did increase, probably because Citgo shut down. But the good access for Ringhand Meats is caused by the good fortune of being located on the only possible "local" detour route in the city. It is the product of geography, not any conspiracy by the city.
Bill Connors
Evansville City Administrator
My apology if I implied intentional wrong doing on the city's part regarding Ringhands. That was not what I meant at all.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to point out that Ringhands is not suffering now nor will they suffer in the future from the construction.
As a PS there is another detour that could be used. I use it quite often, Bullard to Terriorial to M.
Maybe the idea of an emergency fund could be explored for future construction projects.
Thank you, Mrs. Steinlein, for clarifying your comments. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it would have been poor form for the City of Evansville to promote the use of Town of Union roads as the "local" detour for the highway project in Evansville. The Water St./N. Water St./E. Countryside route was the only alternative on city streets.
Next time, the city needs to make sure people know just how disruptive the project is going to be. We tried, but obviously some business owners did not get the message until it was too late.
Bill Connors
City Administrator
I agree, the information that the residents recieved is that it would be minimal interuption. This could not be further from the truth of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is my personal feeling that the city is taking heat that should probably be directed elsewhere.
We should have a coping blog...
tips and ideas to beat the stress!
The problem that I have read about ringhands so caled Plaza is that Ringshands is not the only store in the strip. sure the beer sales are up , why not its summer. and the Pigs prices are a little lower. What about the other four stores in that lot How are they getting,getting along with this has anyone even wondered, I drive buy ab=ne the back end of that parking From the wok down is empty
ReplyDeleteTo Mrs steinlein I have read all your comments> some good some bad but i give you a thumbs up you do care. but you seem to not want the city , to grow Why or am I wrong . Let me know, cause I am from a small town and 25 years ago it was 4500, people now 35.000 and things have move along just fine, and yes we had to go with the flow of growing pains :)
ReplyDeleteTo anon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me address your comment on my position of city growth.
It is a double edge sword for me.The town I grew up in is dying a slow horrible death. The house I was born in is nearly fallen down.
Times changed and the industry left taking jobs with it.
It is to far away from any other city to commute.
I would not wish this for Evansville.
I do think the growth if managed well would benefit all of us that are here now.
However there are differences of opinion to what managed growth means.
I would like to see more affordable stores. (I would also like to see a lower tax bill for it)
I do like the hometown/smalltown appeal of Evansville and do not want to see it lost in the growth process.
So even though I would like Eville to grow I still want to keep it small, friendly and lively.
? mrs steinlein Can u have your cake and eat it to?.I must stay Anonymos its not that i do not want people to know who, but from past dealings with city officals and many members of the city council and chamber . We have to be
ReplyDeletecare full. right know the city is a bee hive getting poked with a stick. when we first came here we felt not welcome. mostly by the old city adm. not Mr Connors he seems to be between a rock and a hard place my heart gose out to him ( a hard jop he has.and P.S your comments are great to read. but one ? How long have You been In evansville.and do you think growth small town can be on the same page can be on the same page . the builders seem to be doing very well . is that not growth. and should growth not incourage new Stores or are the folks here in evansville always going to spend in janesville or madison I feel that a small town would not like to hike to one of the other towns to get what they want or need I am confused :}