Compromise paves way for work in Whitehouse

12/13/2006

A compromise was reached in the Village of Whitehouse that quelled some safety and parking concerns and paved the way for a four-street resurfacing project to begin next summer.

Plans regarding Providence Street, between Waterville Street and Stiles Road, sparked controversy when a Whitehouse councilman who lives on that street felt a new pavement striping design didn't leave enough room for residents to safely stand at their mailboxes or ride bicycles.

Councilman Bill May said the initial plan called for 12-foot wide parking spaces on the east side of the street next to the soccer fields. Mr. May said such a design would push southbound traffic to the edge of the street's west side, where all of the two dozen or so houses on Providence Street are located.

The plan was tabled during a public service com-mittee meeting on Nov. 28 for some sort of compromise to be worked out.

Last week, village council approved a new design that calls for 10-foot wide parking spaces on the east side of the street, as well as a four-foot wide buffer zone for residents on the west side to safely retrieve their mail or ride a bike.

The north and southbound traffic lanes will both be 13 feet wide.

Mr. May said he thinks the people who attended last week's council meeting were satisfied with the compromise.

"I'm satisfied with it. It's time to move forward," he said.

The other issue regarding the Providence Street project focused on the removal of parking on the west side of the street.

As it stands currently, people may park on either side of the street unless there are soccer games being held, during which parking is permitted only on the east side.

The new Providence Street design eliminates parking at all times on the west side, forcing residents or guests to park across the street.

"I guess there are some people who will still be uncomfortable over this, but I think the project is fine," Mr. May said.

Whitehouse Administrator Dennis Recker said the new striping design allows for more handicap parking near the soccer fields, as well as a safer area for children to be dropped off and picked up.

The other streets to be refurbished are St. Louis Street, between Indianapolis and Providence streets; another portion of St. Louis Street, from Providence to Waterville streets, and Temperance Street, from Oakbrook Drive to Centerville Road.

Mr. Recker said none of the other three street sections will have changes made to their striping plans. He said all four streets will have layers of asphalt removed and new ones laid, as well as have chipped or cracked curbs repaired.

The project is likely to open for bidding in early June and construction is scheduled for July.

Mr. Recker said the project is expected to cost $245,000, with just over $120,000 to be paid through state Issue 2 grants and loans.