2003

Council accepts report from U.S. 301 Task Force

Slugline Publication Date Section(s) Page Byline 301 task force report to council Wilson Daily Times May 20, 2003 Local News a3

By Margaret J. Stair Daily Times Staff Writer Wilson City Council voted unanimously Thursday to receive the report of the U.S. 301 Task Force and meet with the group's leaders to discuss ways to implement the recommendations. "About 85 percent of it is in my district, and I support it 100 percent," said Councilman Bill Pitt. Hattie Ellis, chairwoman of the task force, asked council to respond with a schedule and budget for carrying out the action plan by June 26, which is the task force's next scheduled meeting. She also asked for help in finding other public and private resources to carry out the work. For instance, council could help persuade the N.C. Department of Transportation to do the part of the work that is its responsibility, as U.S. 301 is a state-maintained road. "Implementing the action plan would demonstrate to the community that council is interested in improving the 301 area," said Ellis. The recommendations are: * Creation of a permanent advisory board with access to city support staff to oversee implementation of the plan. * Attracting to the area service and retail businesses, such as banks, grocery stores and medical offices. * Revitalizing Fikewood Shopping Center, which is now mostly vacant. * Creating a uniform street lighting standard. * Having DOT make U.S. 301 a five-lane road with curbs and sidewalks with a 5-foot

landscaped strip between the sidewalks and the road. * Closing drainage ditches and routing stormwater through underground pipes. * Rezoning areas to encourage businesses that would be compatible with residential areas. * Improving relations between tenants and landlords. * Increasing home ownership. * Hiring enough housing inspectors to enforce existing housing standards in the area. * Building a digital "upcoming events" information sign at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. * Installing a cul-de-sac where Ward Boulevard meets Lipscomb Road to keep drivers from using a residential street as a shortcut to 301. * Building "new generation" recreational facilities, such as skateboard parks, and air conditioning the Reid Street Recreation Center. * Expanding the U.S. 301 study zone from N.C. 42 to Wiggins Mill Road. * Improving drainage in Hominy Creek and Toisnot basins. * Having DOT begin work on an already approved Transportation Improvement Plan project for Black Creek Road. * Doing a market survey of the area that could be used to recruit businesses. "When we appointed this task force, we had no idea there would be so much interest and participation," said Mayor Bruce Rose. "It's a good plan. I think it's something we can go with. We won't put it on the back burner." City Manager Ed Wyatt said that his staff would probably have a plan for carrying out the improvements to street lighting by mid-summer. He said Charles Pittman, director of public works, can address how to get DOT to do its part. "From the staff viewpoint, we're very enthusiastic about being able to step up to the bat," Wyatt said. Councilman A.P. Coleman expressed confidence that the plan is doable. "When we built Buckhorn, I learned that we can do anything this city wants to, if we make it a priority," he said.

Among other business, council rezoned the former site of Sallie B. Howard Charter School on Lipscomb Road from multi-family residential to intermediate business.