Council votes to remedy west side traffic woes

Residents fed up with congested traffic on the west side of town might finally see some relief in the near future. The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved a preliminary resolution that would transfer $120,000 out of Westside Industries Fund to Monroe County to connect Profile Parkway with Wayne's Lane. Wayne's Lane is also expected to receive improvements, which officials hope will lower congestion near Curry Pike. \nCity Controller Tom Guevara said the connection of the two roads will "provide an additional exit point for individuals working in the west side industrial area, particularly those headed west on State Road 48." Guevara said by giving the county the funds to connect the two roads, it will allow the county to construct a new exit point from Park Square Drive, which would intersect with State Road 48.\n"By approving these funds, we not only benefit the westside industries," Guevara said, "but we also have the extra benefit of bringing up county funds so they can build a new access road for the residents of the Park Square addition. These improvements together will be a tremendous help in terms of improving congestion in the Curry Pike/State Road 48 area." \nCouncilman Jeffrey Willsey said he went out and drove around the area this past weekend. "It's obvious that the situation is under failure at certain times of the day," he said. \nCouncil member Patricia Cole echoed those comments and suggested the possibility of bringing in a consultant to look at the situation to help with any future plans.\n"I think this is a step in the right direction," she said, "but I think we're going to have to do more."\nThe council also voted in new officers, electing Chris Gaal as president, Anthony Pizzo as vice-president, and Jeffrey Willsey as parliamentarian by a 7-2 vote. Council members Jason Banach and David Sabbagh voted in dissent. Gaal presented outgoing president Cole with an engraved gavel as a sign of appreciation for her service.\nIn other action, the council voted 9-0 to grant Evergreen Place Apartments a tax abatement over the next 10 years. Evergreen, located at 318 South Washington St., provides affordable housing for elderly residents.\nThe council also gave support to a proposed amendment of the preliminary plan for the Woolery Farms housing development. If approved, the amendment would permit certain commercial activities on the site, located at 2200 W. Tapp Road. The council will take final action at next Wednesday's meeting at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 16 in City Hall, 401 N. Morton St.