JACKSON CITY COMMENTARY: PUBLIC INPUT IS NEEDED ON PARKING SITUATION

The Jackson City Council recently voted to enforce the State of Missouri Model Traffic Ordinance later this summer and early fall. This enactment will greatly enhance the safety and traffic flow in the uptown business district of Jackson. The sight distances at crosswalks and street comers will be vastly improved and it will be much safer to walk or drive in our uptown business district. As a result of this needed safety improvement approximately 40 parking spots will be eliminated in the total uptown business area. This loss of parking is a concern to us all.

With the enforcement of this State of Missouri Traffic Ordinance, the City will be phasing in the enforcement of the two-hour parking zones on the uptown streets, and one-hour parking in front of City Hall. The local uptown churches are also being contacted about allowing citizen parking in some of their lots during business hours.

Now that these safety related parking changes are in the works, the Council and I would like to ask your opinion on some other issues related to uptown parking and traffic flow. Several months ago, a public hearing was held on the following ideas and issues: 1. Making the 100 block of South High one way (South only) with angle parking on one side. 2. Making the 100 and 200 block of South High one way (South only) with angle parking on one side. 3. Making Barton Street in front of the County Building one way (South only) to add more parking. 4. Making Barton Street a parking lot with no thru traffic. Many believe some of these changes would be good and many believe if the two-hour parking is enforced, none of these changes are needed. Even though a public hearing was held, and many opinions were given we would like for you to respond to the attached survey which will give us a broader base of opinions on what is best for Jackson.

Please return in person or by mail to City Hall, 101 Court St, attn: Mayor Paul Sander and Jackson City Council by July 21. Thanks in advance for your input. We value your opinion. We all share one goal, and that is to do what is best for Jackson.

The Council meets every Monday at 7:30 at City Hall. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome on how we can make Jackson an even better place.

City of Jackson Traffic and Parking Survey

Questions: Please answer Yes, No, or No Opinion

1. ____ The City should make the 100 block of South High one-way South only.

2. ____ The City should make the 100 and 200 block of South High one-way south only.

3. ____ The City should make Barton Street one-way South for additional parking.

4. ____ The City should close Barton Street to traffic and make it a parking lot.

5. ____ The City should leave the streets as they are.

6. ____ The City should enforce the two-hour parking uptown first, and re-evaluate the situation in the future.

Please clip the survey and return with your responses by July 21 to: City Hall, 101 Court, Jackson, MO 63755, Attn: Mayor Paul Sander and Jackson City Council.