Good riddance, say students

Colonel Gray students happy with decision to purchase home on corner of Queen and Pond

The student behind a petition that called for safety improvements to the Queen and Pond intersection in Charlottetown says she’s happy to see city council taking some action.

Chanuthi Kongahawattege, 16, and a group of friends gathered to say thank you to city council after voting 5-3 at its recent monthly meeting to purchase the yellow house on the intersection.

Chanuthi had put together a petition with 150 signatures and a number of comments asking council to make changes to what she called a dangerous intersection, citing a 2011 traffic report recommending the city remove or relocate the house to improve visibility.

The house extends past the intersection’s stop sign, with some residents and students saying the lack of visibility makes the area unsafe for pedestrians and motorists.

Chanuthi said she was excited to hear council decided to purchase the home.

“I feel like (the petition) made a big impact,” said Chanuthi. “I’m just glad it did something.”

Council will offer $140,000 for 426 Queen St. and will pay out $3,000 for the mortgage discharge fees.

An official said once the city is in possession of the property, council will determine the next step.

Chanuthi said she was inspired to start the petition after she was nearly hit at the intersection and then heard other students’ stories of close calls.

Friend and schoolmate Larissa Storey said many at the school felt the intersection was a problem.

“Once (the petition) was brought out, (people were saying), ‘yeah, that is a big problem intersection’ or ‘yeah, it is dangerous there’,” said Larissa. “People have all been thinking it, but no one was really saying anything.”

Student Hansinee Pamunuwegedari said she was proud of Chanuthi for starting the petition.

“I’m really proud because a lot of people were affected by it, but not everybody spoke up about it,” she said.

“There are a lot of Queen Charlotte students walking down here, too, so it’s really dangerous.”

MITCH MACDONALD/THE GUARDIAN Colonel Gray students Chanuthi Kongahawattege, second left, Larissa Storey, Christina Muise, Nithila Kongahawattege, Hansinee Pamunuwegedari and Mira Johnston thank Coun. Mitch Tweel, left, for advocating that Charlottetown city council purchase the home at 426 Queen St. in order to improve the safety of the intersection. Council voted 5-3 at its last monthly meeting to purchase the home.