Converting One-Way Roads One Of Several Planned Projects For South Downtown Abilene
By: Katie Thompson
Updated: June 12, 2012
If there's one thing you notice repetitively in downtown South Abilene, it's the one-way and do-not-enter signs.
But you may see soon see a plan to change the streets in that area to two-way, as part of a restructuring for downtown South Abilene that is years in the making.
"A study found that one-way street conversion wasn't necessary in our south downtown area and that converting them would provide additional access opportunities for economic development in that area," Explains Assistant Director for Abilene's Planning and Development Division, Ed McRoy.
The development plan for south downtown is much more than just changing streets. It's an overall effort to completely revamp the area, to encourage investors and promote economic development .
But for now, that's where it will start.
"We'll have to go through and look at the traffic patterns in the area and have some professionals go in and look at the impacts that has," Said McRoy.
"We will look at sign placement, and all of those things traffic engineers do to make sure that we can do this effectively and safely"
But you may see soon see a plan to change the streets in that area to two-way, as part of a restructuring for downtown South Abilene that is years in the making.
"A study found that one-way street conversion wasn't necessary in our south downtown area and that converting them would provide additional access opportunities for economic development in that area," Explains Assistant Director for Abilene's Planning and Development Division, Ed McRoy.
The development plan for south downtown is much more than just changing streets. It's an overall effort to completely revamp the area, to encourage investors and promote economic development .
But for now, that's where it will start.
"We'll have to go through and look at the traffic patterns in the area and have some professionals go in and look at the impacts that has," Said McRoy.
"We will look at sign placement, and all of those things traffic engineers do to make sure that we can do this effectively and safely"
Comments
All this fuss about development, but have you seen all the closed shops and vacant storefronts downtown?? If they can't make it, who can? There's little downtown to bring in a crowd, hence no $$. Developement won't work until you get businesses downtown...don't you think? duh!!
Here's a great new business idea which will bring in much tourist dollars...a small waterpark! This will bring in hundreds of families all over West Texas, which will save people mileage instead of driving to Dallas! The WT Fair lacks excitement and fails to bring in tourists, so do something about it! Abilene doesn't keep their grass mowed either...ugly town!
money c.
June 12, 2012 at 6:47 pm
