Ward 1 residents sound off

Huntsville comp plan garners interest from community

Kelly Prew with Ben Bell

Nearly 150 people gathered at the Walker Education Center on Thursday to discuss a number of topics that do and will affect the city of Huntsville in the next 20 years, and the conversation at times got frothy.

Some of the hot button issues thrown about during the Ward 1 Congress of the Huntsville Horizon Comprehensive Plan included everything from incentives for economic development, city street and thoroughfare improvement and possible inadequacies of the number of police and fire personnel.

In an issue spurred from how Sam Houston State University will grow in future years and how it will become “seamless in the community,” several citizens spoke about the need for sidewalks, better driveway access to businesses on major roadways and city services.

“If we’re going to have some of these new businesses and entertainment (venues), it takes firemen and policemen,” Jack Wagamon said. “This is not about not growing. If we’re going to grow, let’s not do nothing for policemen.”

Dick Lindeman talked about the Department of Homeland Security’s standards for cities to have 2.2 uniformed officers per 1,000 residents.

“For our size, we would need 70 or 80, and we have 24,” Lindeman said. “By that criteria, we need 2.5 times as many policemen and firemen.”

Former Walker County Judge Charles Wagamon said ethe standards would be the one factor that could change the face of the entire community.

“If the city does nothing but fix that problem, this study will be worth every penny,” Wagamon said.

Other topics that drew public response filtered from questions about traffic flow problems in the city, whether it be overflow from congested areas running through neighborhoods, making streets safer for pedestrians or working with the Texas Department of Transportation for better traffic light timing.

“Part of our traffic flow problems come from the state because they regulate light timing,” Ralph Pease said. “I think it’s the city’s job to point this out to the state.”

The meeting, facilitated by consultants from Kendig Keast Collaborative, was divided into two groups and two discussion sessions, which included land use, future growth patterns, housing neighborhoods, parks and streets, sidewalks, trails, the local airport and overall transit. Both groups entertained both topics in 40-minute sessions.

Transportation issues were discussed, from both the perspective of local residents and Sam Houston State University students in attendance. Then folks began discussions on what provisions would be made for pedestrians.

Christopher Whitaker, SHSU student body president, spoke for the students.

“There are serious pedestrian issues at Sam Houston Avenue and intersections with Avenue J and Avenue I,” he said. “My worst fear is a student being killed crossing these busy intersections.”

Residents concurred with Whitaker, naming a number of problem pedestrian areas citywide.

SHSU student life chair Justin Berry mentioned how a shuttle service could better improve quality of life for students.

“I agree with the shuttle service idea,” he said. “It would help a lot of local residents too. Sometimes our cars break down and money is tight, and a shuttle service could help out.”

Berry also brought up the issue of traffic lights and student access to the downtown area.

“There is a courthouse traffic light that never changes (University and 11th Street), and eventually backs up. Timing on lights is a little bit off.”

Karl Davidson brought up the possibility of a grant already in existence that would implement an attractive pedestrian system between SHSU and the downtown square, via University Avenue.

If the shuttle system were an option, talk swirled around who would pay the bill. SHSU senior Evan Dierlam suggested the city look to grant funding for a shuttle service.

Berry suggested possible satellite parking and shuttling.

The issue of affordable housing also grabbed residents and students, who agreed Huntsville has a variety of people who need different levels of housing.

“As the student population grows and the state continues to reduce funds, it is more difficult to build dormitories, and students quickly fill these spaces and professors and students alike are commuting because of this,” Whitaker said. “This hurts Huntsville revenue and growth.”

Todd Armstrong spoke for residents who might need low-income housing assistance as defined by the state, whereas another group might need aid in setting up residence in the $80,000 to $100,000 range.

Other topics that stirred the citizens in attendance included the issue of mass transit, beautification and preservation and building better bonds between the university and the city. Some asked consultants what the next step might be, to include who will pay for the changes that could be 20 years into the future.