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COLUMBUS — The City Council heard concerns for safety regarding a request for an extra street closure than usual for the Magnolia Days Festival in May. Despite sharing those concerns with the presenters, the Council moved to deny the request along with other actions at the March 11 regular meeting.
The Chamber of Commerce explained their request for an extra street closure was based in their concerns for the safety of attendees. They proposed that the city close Milam Street from Spring Street to Walnut Street from Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. through Sunday, May 19 at 8 a.m. in addition to the closures already regularly scheduled on an annual basis.
The Council heard the Chamber’s concerns, followed by Columbus Police Department Chief Milton “Skip” Edman expressing his concerns about the proposed closure. Edman’s concerns were with the amount of manpower already required to commit an undertaking as large as the yearly event. He also expressed concern over the parking situation, citing that closing the road and making attendees park further away would cause them to have to walk further, still endangering them by having to cross more roadways.
The Council shared that they too are concerned with the safety of those in attendance, but agreed with Chief Edman that they felt there was no need to change the current closures as there have been zero reported traffic incidents during the Magnolia Days festival.
City Council voted that proposal down, but they did accept the standard closure: Spring Street from the corner of Milam Street to the attorney’s office at 415 Spring St. starting at 7 a.m.
At 5 p.m., Spring Street will be closed from Milam Street to Front Street until midnight.
Travis Street from Walnut Street to Spring Street will be closed starting at 7 a.m.
At 5 p.m., Travis Street will be closed from Walnut Street to Washington Street until midnight.
In other news, council members expressed their doubt that the contractors in installing the traffic light on Fannin Street will be able to hit the end-of-March deadline initially given to the Council.
More improvements to Midtown Park are planned for the near future as the City has completed the demolition of certain playsets and toys previously available at the park. Once funding is secured for the new playground equipment, delivery will take around 12 weeks prior to installation. Council expressed concern that the new equipment may potentially not be ready by the start of summer break for Columbus ISD schools.
Council also resolved to join with a group of communities to seek legal consultation in regard to utility rate negotiations with AEP. The proposal by AEP to raise rates was suspended as the community group seeks legal representation to negotiate.
The City would also like to remind residents that they can request to receive their utility bills through email by setting up their account by calling into City Hall at 979-732-2366. Bills can be paid online, in person or over the phone.
The next regular City Council meeting will be Tuesday, March 26.
