It’s Dixie Highway’s turn for attention
With more than 600 invitations mailed out, the public was not short on numbers or suggesting ideas to improve Dixie Highway at the Jan. 22 Planning Commission meeting.
Some of the major ideas included, signage issues, speed limit, removal of abandon structures, excessive berm and tree heights now blocking buildings and signs, grant writing, and pedestrian traffic.
“I thought it was positive, lots of good ideas,” said Sam Moraco, planning commission chairman. “We’re going to get going on it right away. I’m going to start meeting with people next week. Hopefully the people who want to get involved can get involved.”
Moraco said more than 20 people gave their contact information.
“When the people are involved, it’s so much easier than saying ‘Oh it’s government again.’ I thought it was a good meeting with lots of nice, inexpensive ideas that we might be able to work on with this economy the way it is,” said Planner Joan McCrary. “The enthusiasm of people in this down economy was really interesting too.”
Township Treasurer and Planner Curt Carson said people with “passion” are what they need. He said hearing a lot of the same a topics reinforces the areas they need to attack first.
“What I thought was a really neat concept, was you don’t think of Dixie Highway being a walking/ biking type of a thing, but my subdivision is exactly one mile south of Dixie Highway,” he said.
“Over 40 percent of the people, adults and kids in that subdivision walk or bike up to Dixie Highway on a daily basis, spring through the fall.”
Though it’s a good idea, he does admit it may not be the best use of funds at the current moment, however, he said they have to look everything they can do to promote business.
“Let’s let the business succeed,” Carson said. “Let’s do what we need to do for them because they’re the ones who are creating the jobs, growth and wealth.”
Many members of the township board were also present at the meeting.
“I think the members of the township board that were there plus the planning commission got an ear full of what the business people and residents are looking for and it was really enlightening,” said Dave Wagner, supervisor. “I thought it was great.”