The June 18 City Council approved a set of ordinances related to expansion of 11th Street traffic access for the Prosperity Park development. The ordinance package had originally been set aside from the consent agenda for debate at the request of Ward 6 Alderwoman Jennifer Notariano, who last week expressed concern for potential worsening traffic conditions along 11th Street.
“It’s been explained to me, the special needs and circumstances of the two entrances onto 11th Street, and their potential impacts,” Notariano explained. “So I support this, and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.”
The exact nature of the businesses requiring the new arterial access remains unclear, but Ald. Notariano was apparently informed of their needs by the crews involved in the traffic variance requests. With Notariano’s approval, all present members of the council voted for the Prosperity Park ordinances.
Ward 6 town hall meeting called
Ald. Notariano later announced that she would be hosting a town hall for residents of Ward 6 later this month: Saturday, June 28, beginning at 10:30 AM, at South Side Christian Church located at 2600 S. MacArthur Boulevard.
The purpose of the meeting, the Alderwoman explained, was to address community worries about rising hazards with traffic conditions throughout the ward.
“A few months ago, earlier in the spring, a resident of Ward 6 was hit by a car,” she told the council. “That sort of goes into traffic concerns that a lot of my neighborhoods have been bringing to me. So I wanted to get everyone together, hear them out and see if we could talk about some solutions.”
The Ward 6 Alderwoman also invited city officials to attend, in the hopes that some of the discussion might be fruitful for wider city planning.
Week of Juneteenth celebrations continue
Alderman Shawn Gregory of Ward 2 expressed his thanks to city officials who attended Saturday’s Juneteenth parade and celebration in Comer Cox Park, which opened up the week-long festivities for the national holiday. Despite the heat and humidity, with gray skies constantly threatening rain, crowds filled Comer Cox throughout Saturday afternoon to enjoy local food, music and entertainment.
“We appreciate everyone coming out, everyone who was able to make it,” said Gregory. “We had a grand old time.”
Ald. Gregory also reminded the public that Thursday, Juneteenth, finishes off the city’s observance with that evening’s Levitt AMP concert on the Y-Block.
