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Grandin Point owner asks Vanderburgh County to study pedestrian crossing at 5900 N. Saint Joseph Ave.
Summary
Flagship Communities requested county support to study and potentially build pedestrian safety improvements — from painted crosswalks and sidewalks to flashing lights or a pedestrian-activated signal — across North Saint Joseph Avenue near Grandin Point mobile home community and a new Dollar General.
Flagship Communities representatives asked Vanderburgh County commissioners on Sept. 23 to allow county engineers and attorneys to study options for a pedestrian crossing at or near 5900 North Saint Joseph Avenue to improve access for residents of the Grandin Point mobile-home community to a newly opened Dollar General across the street.
Why it matters: County staff and the petitioner said the area lacks pedestrian infrastructure and that many residents have limited transportation options. The petitioner emphasized safety concerns for children, residents with limited mobility and people with strollers.
What the petitioner proposed: Dirk, speaking on behalf of Flagship Communities, said the developer does not request county funding at this time but wants permission to work with the county engineer to explore feasible options and potential cost-sharing. Jeri Johnson, identified as Flagship's regional manager, attended and provided on-site context.
Dirk outlined a range of measures, ordered from relatively simple to more complex: painted crosswalks; sidewalks and culvert/pipe work to span roadside ditches; landing pads to avoid directing pedestrians into a driveway; lighting improvements; radar speed signs; flashing beacons similar to school-zone systems; and, ultimately, a pedestrian-activated traffic signal if warranted.
“The number one priority for them is the safety of their residents,” Dirk said, adding later, “This is absolutely critical. We have all kinds of video footage of groups of kids, you know, with no adults.”
County response and next steps: Commissioners asked the county engineer to collect traffic and safety data for the site. The president of the board said the county will convene an evidence-based “spitball” session including residents, the sheriff's office, the county engineer and nearby businesses to discuss options. The board explicitly offered the petitioner a seat at that table. The petitioner provided an office address for the site as 5901 North Saint Joseph Avenue.
Funding and cooperation: Dirk said Flagship is willing to participate financially and noted some improvements would require work in the county right-of-way or cooperation with the Dollar General property owner. Dirk said prior outreach to Dollar General generated limited response; commissioners encouraged continued outreach and noted county coordination would be required for work in the right-of-way.
No formal action: Commissioners did not take a funding vote or make commitments at this meeting; they agreed to pursue engineering data and convene stakeholders to evaluate options.
