Friday, November 26, 1999
Sidewalks have lots of support
Highland Ave. grant sought
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT WRIGHT — City officials, residents and business people say sidewalks proposed for a section of Highland Avenue would encourage use of the Fort Wright Nature Centre, and improve safety along the busy state route.
Fort Wright City Council is applying for a federal Transportation Enhancement grant to pay for about 3,000 feet of sidewalks that would serve more than 600 homes, and connect an existing network of sidewalks, said City Administrator Larry Klein. The deadline to apply for the grant is Dec. 15.
If the sidewalks are funded, they would run at least 15 to 20 feet from the road, Mr. Klein said. They would start on Highland Avenue at Werner Drive, go southeast to the Fort Wright Nature Centre, wrap around the parking lot and a ridge, and continue south on Highland Avenue, or Ky. 1072, ending at Reeves Drive.
The 55-mph speed limit up Highland Avenue's hill, com bined with the 25,000 cars that travel the road each day and the trucks that use the state route as a shortcut to northbound Interstate 75 and Cincinnati, make it a hazard for bicyclists and pedestrians, Mr. Klein said.
“Besides encouraging people to walk to our nature park, the sidewalks would make it safer for the people who walk along Highland Pike,” he said. “I've seen people walk on Highland at all times of the day.”
If approved, the federal grant would cover 80 percent of the project's $125,000 cost, and the remaining 20 percent would be paid by local govern ments, Mr. Klein said. Fort Wright has pledged $12,500 toward the project, and Kenton County officials are expected to vote whether to provide in-kind services worth $12,500, when the fiscal court next meets on Dec. 7.
Advocates of the nature center also hope to work with the city to design sidewalks that fit in with the park's rustic character and encourage visitors to stop and enjoy the scenery.
“It could be a real nice, interpretive walk with panels,” said Mike Strohm, vice chairman of the Kenton County Conservation District.
“The executive board (of the Fort Wright Garden Club) has discussed the project, and we're very much in favor of it,” said club president Eileen Hastings. “It'll make the nature center a lot more accessible, especially for people at the top of the hill.”
Mrs. Hastings said the sidewalks also would make it safer for children to ride their bikes to the nature center, and for joggers to run along Highland Avenue without having to dodge traffic.
Steve Adkisson, president of the Fort Wright Business Association, agreed.
“We're wholeheartedly behind (the sidewalk project),” said Mr. Adkisson, who owns the Adkisson Insurance Agency in Fort Wright.
“There are a lot of younger people who don't drive, and their parents are afraid to let them go down that stretch of road,” Mr. Adkisson said.
“A lot of people from the residential area also enjoy walking. But on Highland (Avenue,) you're basically walking along an interstate road without a sidewalk.”
Cop charged in jogger's death
'Ramping' blamed for fatal crash
Two children killed on Ky. 17
Airport garages tracking license plates
Holiday warning: Beware mall music
Shoppers advised to remain on alert
Safe shopping tips
Go online to shop out-of-town
Rudd Farm lights up one last time
Grand homes dress in wreaths and bows
Cards with a cause
Christmas festival has Welsh flavor
Holiday workers make the best of it
'Pretty slow' day for crime
Stealth politics waged on Internet
GET TO IT
13 (children) turned out lucky
City parks want some 'Friends'
Colerain awaits buyout verdict
Eastgate Bigg's recalled turkeys
Guadalupe festival is outreach to Hispanics
Officer charged in bar scuffle
Sidewalks have lots of support
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren picks Franklin for sewer link
