Monday, February 15, 1999
Group to present alternate to 12th St. widening
Beauty, traffic given emphasis
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Members of a group opposed to the widening of 12th Street said they'll be looking for open minds — and not necessarily a vote of support — when they appear Tuesday before city commissioners.
“I just hope everyone will keep an open mind,” said Connie Hammond of Citizens Unit ed to Re-think 12th. “I'm not trying to force an issue. I'm trying to get them to understand our position.”
The group is working with an urban designer who will present plans for improving traffic flow on 12th Street, between Interstate 75 and Greenup Street — minus the 44-foot, tree-lined median that the Kentucky Department of Transportation has proposed for one of Covington's main entryways.
The group's proposal emphasizes new turn lanes along Twelfth Street and, to beautify the area, calls for placing utility lines underground, planting trees in the area and rehabilitating more buildings. The cost is about $9.5 million — $3 million less than the state's plan.
“We're going in there to make them listen to us,” Mrs. Hammond said. “We hope they'll reconsider.”
The question is whether the group's efforts are a bit too late. Members came together about a month ago, trying to save the several blocks of homes and businesses that would be affected by the widening.
Meanwhile, state officials have been talking about widening the thoroughfare for years. The state highway department is favoring a proposal to construct a 44-foot wide raised median and to have one eastbound lane and one westbound lane on the street. Lanes would be wider than the present ones to make traffic flow less congested. On-street parking would be available.
“The project is inevitable,” Commissioner Jim Eggemeier said. “They're going to go ahead and do it, and Covington should work with the highway department to have the best possible design.”
But city commissioners are promising to grant the new group's wish and to listen to their presentation with an open mind.
“We are listening to what they have to say, and we will go from there,” Commissioner Jerry Bamberger said.
City commissioners do not have to vote in favor of pro posals pitched by either the state or Citizens United to Re-think 12th. But they could if they wanted to take an official stance.
City Manager Greg Jarvis doesn't see that happening.
“It'll be up to the board,” he said. “I'm sure they'll listen to what (the group has) to say.”
Tuesday will be the second time that Citizens United to Re-think 12th presents its proposal. The commission's session is 7 p.m. at the City Building, 638 Madison Ave.
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