The City of Kosciusko Board of Aldermen took the next step toward a proposal that will turn many streets in the downtown area into one-way roads.
The proposal calls for converting many roads into one way, while adding bike lanes and more defined parking places. Streets to be changed include Washington, Jefferson, Natchez, Jackson and Madison streets. Also the outer limit streets of downtown, including Huntington, Wells, Monroe and Adams, would also all get crosswalks.
“We have talked to people that have recently moved here and they all say our downtown streets are insane and many that come from out of town are totally confused,” alderman-at-large Tim Kyle said. “People have come to me with concerns about hurting response time for police and fire departments, but the chiefs believe that this will in fact help them respond.”
“We know that traffic here is not what it used to be, so this is not being done for traffic reasons,” Mayor Jimmy Cockroft said. “We have had a lot of interest in becoming a bike-friendly community and this takes another step in our goal of being able to bring bike traffic from the Natchez Trace to downtown.”
Before any work can begin, the city will still have to approve an ordinance, which will be presented by city attorney George Dorrill at its next meeting. See full proposal list and map at starherald.net.
“Our entire purpose behind this is to provide better safety, add a bike lane and provide better designated parking spaces,” Cockroft added.
Other actions taken by the board include
• approved a payment of $2,944.70 to Woody Sample for work at the airport;
• approved moving Jasmine Sharkey to a full time dispatcher, hired Justin Rinhack as a full time dispatcher and Sherry Kelley as a part time dispatcher for E911.
• hired Derek Cross as an employee with the solid waste department;
• appointed Alderman Kyle as the city voting delegate, and Alderman Henry Daniel as the first alternate at the Mississippi Municipal League conference.
