Downtown resident urges study of South Corey Street closure and fixes at nearby post office intersection

Tony Kensinger, a Ward 6 resident, told the council Aug. 19 that the temporary closure of South Corey Street between the Hancock County Sheriff's Office and the municipal building should prompt a broader look at nearby intersections and traffic patterns.

Kensinger said the traffic commission approved a data-collection period after recommending the closure in June, but he said no pneumatic tubes had been installed to measure before-and-after traffic counts. "Within a week, the street was closed to the public…There was not a pneumatic road tube placed to track the number of vehicles using this road or the surrounding roads either before or after the closure," he said. Kensinger also said delivery trucks and vehicles using a probate court parking lot continued to use the corridor and sometimes blocked emergency access.

Kensinger recommended the city use the closure as an opportunity to fix a nearby intersection at the post office and the Great Scott Community Market, describing worn pavement, missing lane markings and parking configurations that create unsafe conditions. "If you're truly gathering data about South Corey Street, spend some time researching this intersection before making that decision," he told council.

Rob, a staff member who addressed council in response, said the closure originated from concerns about the proximity of the sheriff's office and municipal building and the risk posed when officers are transporting people in custody. He said the police chief requested the extension of the data-collection period to the end of the year. "This reduces and mitigates that risk when our individuals are working in that area," Rob said. Staff also said city cameras are being used to gather traffic data for the street.

Mayor Murn said some aspects of the closure involve security considerations that may require an executive session with the law director. Councilman Greeno asked for more detail about the reason for the closure; Rob said the closure was intended to give first responders a safer area to operate and to reduce near misses when officers back vehicles or egress in emergencies.

Council did not take formal action that night. Staff said traffic-commission data collection continues and that any permanent change to the street would follow additional review, potential traffic engineering work and, if appropriate, an executive-session discussion with legal counsel about security considerations.