Commission asks staff to study intersection improvements for Anderson Avenue as Unger redevelopment advances

City staff presented an update on the Anderson Avenue reconstruction project and asked commissioners for feedback on adding an intersection improvement at Anderson and Belhaven/College Avenue. Commissioners directed staff to pursue design-level work on intersection options — including a roundabout and a signalized intersection — and to return with a design contract, updated cost estimates, property-rights analysis and neighborhood engagement results.

Interim Public Works Director Wyatt Thompson and City Engineer Brian Johnson explained the Anderson reconstruction project will replace pavement, construct a new sidewalk on the south side, replace water main and perform storm-sewer work on Anderson from Connecticut Avenue to Harris Avenue. Construction is scheduled to begin June 2, 2025; work will be phased and is expected to continue through summer 2027. Staff said the corridor recorded 41 crashes with eight injury accidents over the last five years; the corridor has six driveways/access points that staff said could be reduced to two through the proposed reconfiguration.

Two concept alternatives were presented: Option A (roundabout) would realign Belhaven into a new roundabout at Anderson and extend College Avenue to the intersection; Option B (signal) would realign the same streets and install a four-way traffic signal with turn lanes. Both concepts include extended sidewalks and pedestrian improvements. Staff recommended the roundabout option, saying it provides traffic-calming benefits and reduces the number and severity of conflict points at the intersection.

Several residents and property owners spoke at the meeting. Randy Dale said he is opposed to a roundabout and described a personal crash at an existing local roundabout. “I am against the roundabout,” he said. Neighbors emphasized pedestrian safety, sight-distance concerns and the scale of the nearby Unger redevelopment: resident Sandra Visser noted that a separate rezoning discussion would consider approximately 108 apartment units at the Unger site and asked whether a signal would better handle the additional traffic: “There will be a rezoning... to put a hundred and 8 apartments in the Unger Complex,” she told commissioners.

Representatives of churches and long-term residents asked the city to avoid taking church property for right-of-way and warned that an extension of College Avenue could change neighborhood traffic patterns. John Bowe, who said he represents building-and-grounds for a church on the corridor, told the commission the congregation is not currently willing to sell its property and warned that pursuing acquisition through condemnation could be “real expensive.” Other residents asked the city to consider alternatives that reduce driveway access without adding through-traffic to College Avenue and to evaluate how signal timing or other measures would affect nearby pedestrian crossings and school access.

City staff told commissioners the timing to attach this intersection project to the Anderson reconstruction is favorable because much of the street and utility work already included in the awarded contract would be required for either intersection option; staff said adding an intersection improvement now reduces the risk of repaving or reconstructing the corridor twice. Staff said further design, right-of-way review and public engagement would be needed, and that a final cost estimate and a recommended option would be presented in a subsequent staff report. Brian Johnson said the signal option would likely cost more primarily because of mast arms and signal equipment and estimated the signal could be “probably $750,000” more than the roundabout in this configuration.

After the public comments and discussion, commissioners indicated support for directing staff to proceed with design work and neighborhood outreach, to assess property impacts and to return to the commission in the fall with a recommended option and cost estimates. No final design decision or funding appropriation was made during the work session.