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City's applies for grant for no input from northeast Carbondale

A city official admitted Tuesday night that the city could have missed out on important input from homeowners in northeast Carbondale regarding grant applications for housing improvements.

The grant funds the city's housing rehabilitation program, which helps remodel homes of low-income residents in the northeast area of the city.

Councilman Steve Haynes said he was concerned the city did not do a good enough job of notifying residents with low income, who likely would qualify.

"So we missed comment from people it could affect," Haynes said.

Assistant City Manager Don Monty admitted Haynes was correct, although the city did publish the required notice in the Southern Illinoisan.

But Councilwomen Maggie Flanagan and Corene McDaniel said they both tried to get the word out about the program.

"I personally made a few phone calls," Flanagan said.

The city voted to apply for the grant at the City Council meeting and if the state approves the application, the city will not be able to use the money until summer 2005.

The grant would come from the state's Community Development Assistance Program. Carbondale has applied for the grant every year since 1994 and currently uses the money to fund the city's housing rehabilitation program.

However, Monty said the funds from the grant, which the city received last year is now being made available to homeowners.

"We're right now coincidentally submitting applications through November 1," Monty said. "The reason we did that was because we wanted to give people more time to comply."

Furthermore, Paulette Thornton, who has participated in the program, said David Chamness and Jeraldine Brown of the housing rehabilitation program were a great deal of help.

Thornton's family has owned the same house on North Connors Street since 1925. After her father died, she could not afford to fix the house.

"I went back and forth about what to do," Thornton said. "It probably would have taken me five years."

Moreover, improvements can be seen in the area, said Thornton. She said she sees older people who now have central air in their homes thanks to the program.

"I remember growing up here," Thornton said. "With this program, I really see an improvement."

The council also discussed traffic and pedestrian safety issues at the intersection of East Walnut and Cedar View Streets.

Flanagan asked the city to look into the possibility of placing a traffic signal at the intersection after she noticed some dangerous situations.

However, a report by Ed Reeder, the Director of Public Works noted there was not enough warrant for a traffic signal to be placed in the area.

Although she felt the analysis was technically correct, Flanagan said she still was concerned about pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the intersection.

Furthermore, Councilman Chris Wissmann said he sees risky behavior in the area and Councilwoman Sheila Simon said some of the recommendations in the report are unrealistic for pedestrians and bicyclists.

"I don't disagree with the conclusion, but I hope as council we can keep our eye on it," Simon said.

Although Wissmann offered alternatives such as a cross walk, Mayor Brad Cole said putting in a pedestrian crosswalk as an alternative to a signal is not a safe option because it gives people a false sense of security.

Additionally, Cole said because East Walnut Street is a state highway the final decision would be up to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Pedestrians and drivers, Cole said, both need to be aware of their environment.

"Somewhere along the way, our schools stopped teaching kids to look both ways before they cross the street," Cole said.

 

 

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