Lack of sidewalks sparks safety concerns

“It’s definitely not the safest it can be, that’s for dang sure,” Martin later added.

Shelby Municipal Utilities Director John Ensman said that he agreed.

“I walk out there from time-to-time, as well,” Ensman said. “So I know what you are talking about. There’s quite a bit of traffic out there. When you do walk, you’re always getting off to the side of the road. Sidewalks are probably a needed item out there.”

Martin said trucks are “flying through” that area.

As for a lack of sidewalks, “not just Technology Parkway, but all of those streets,” he continued. “There’s quite a few streets around there that are lacking in sidewalks.”

A cost and who would pay for them is not known, Martin said. But “the safety of that area can be improved greatly,” he said.

Ensman said that the city’s street levy fund collects for sidewalks, too. And city Project Coordinator Joe Gies said the money from that fund could be used for sidewalks if City Council desired that.

But “it is not going to pay for all of that,” Gies said.

As a first step, Martin suggested having a plan and suggestions. “All it takes is one person getting hit or clipped,” he said. “Those trucks come through there, and they come over that hill. There’s a visibility issue, as well.”

In discussing the matter with Ensman at the meeting, Martin is open to “all suggestions and all thoughts.”

“If Glenwood (Drive) was done and Technology was done, I think it would greatly improve the safety of that area,” Martin said. “There are so many people who walk and run around there.”

“Obviously a lot on Glenwood would be on some homeowners, right?” Martin asked Gies in reference to potential costs, a point Gies said was correct.

Martin also asked why sidewalks are not on Glenwood