Introduction … Elon Board
Sept. 4 2008
Hi, I’m Keegan Calligar, and this is my first blog post! I am starting this blog for my fall 2008 Reporting for the Public Good class at Elon University. I will be using this blog to post stories that I write, as well as videos that I will be posting on my YouTube site.
I am a Junior, majoring in Journalism, and excited to become a better writer this semester. Below, you will find a piece I wrote after attending the Town of Elon Board of Alderman Agenda meeting on Tuesday, September 2. Make sure to check this site and my YouTube site frequently for updates!
Elon Board Discusses Sidewalk Expansion, Library
by Keegan Calligar
September 4, 2008
Elon residents can expect construction in the future, as the Elon Board of Aldermen discussed Tuesday plans for new pedestrian and bicycle paths, as well as plans for an Elon community library.
Jesse Day, a regional planner for the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, a group comprised of various governments that worked with the town to develop a plan, showed a PowerPoint presentation that explained the Town of Elon Planning Board’s new Bicycle, Pedestrian and Lighting Plan.
The Town of Elon has been developing plans with Elon University and the Twin Lakes Retirement Community for the last year.
According to the plan’s executive summary, “The primary purpose of this plan is to identify and prioritize key opportunities for improving Elon’s bicycle, pedestrian, and lighting systems over the next 20 years. Implementation of proposed improvements will help encourage greater citizen participation in active transportation and physical activity on a coordinated network of alternative transportation facilities.”
Day explained that the system’s goals include building wide sidewalks for pedestrians, bike paths, a hybrid of the two called shared use passages and efficient, lighted pathways.
Day said that implementing the system will “certainly improve quality of life,” for Elon residents. He noted that “transportation is a big user of energy,” and said that the sidewalks and paths will promote walking, thus reducing car emissions and helping the environment.
Additionally, expanding pathways for pedestrians and bikers will improve safety for Elon residents. According to Day, between 2001 and 2006, there were nine crashes between vehicles and pedestrians or bicyclists. By establishing areas for walking and biking, the board hopes to eliminate such accidents.
Ball Park Ave is close to where the town is considering building a library.
The costs of construction will vary by project. According to Day, construction of sidewalks will cost $2.6 million over 20 years, and the establishment of shared use passages will cost $2.8 million over the same time period. He said that funding will come from a variety of sources, including grants, property taxes and impact fees.
The board also discussed plans for a new Elon library. Currently, the board is deciding between two locations for the new library: town-owned Beth Schmidt Park on Cook Road and a 13-acre piece of property, commonly called Firehouse Field, owned by the university.
The university will either give the town the deed with restrictions (the land would be reacquired by the university if used for anything other than a library) or a long-term lease for a very small fee. Thus, the cost of construction will be virtually the same at both locations.
Alderman Davis Montgomery said that he has toured other local, recently built libraries and has found pros and cons of both locations. “We’re blessed with the problem of having two excellent sites to choose from,” he said.
He noted that the town was concerned with the state’s existing plans to expand upon the road near Beth Schmidt Park. He explained that the road is being built closer to the actual park, and said that it could pose safety concerns for residents if the library is built there.
He also expressed concerns about using up the town’s available resources. He said that the board has to consider “what’s going to serve the town in the long term.” If the town were to use the Beth Schmidt Park property, “We would lose the opportunity to do anything else with that property,” he continued.
Ken Mullen, the assistant vice president for business and finance at Elon University, said that the school plans to develop the land at Firehouse Field, regardless of whether or not the library is built there.
He said that the university wants to “create a more vibrant downtown,” including possible stores and restaurants. When asked about a loss of recreation space if the library is built on the field (many intramural sports teams practice at the location), Mullen said that the university is exploring other locations for the teams. “There are certain available properties to develop for that,” he said.
The board did put the non-binding sidewalk and bicycle path issue on the agenda for next week, when the board will decide whether or not to accept the plan. It did not put the library issue on the agenda.
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