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Committee approves recommendation to remove Texas Street median, citing safety and panhandling concerns
Summary
The committee voted to recommend removing a median on Texas Street (near Prince/20 First) to reduce a location where panhandlers congregate and which staff said creates traffic distraction; cost quoted at $8,600 plus tax and the recommendation will be sent to the commission after a 1–nay vote.
A City of Clovis committee voted to recommend removal and paving of a median on Texas Street that staff said had become a place where panhandlers stand and where drivers are distracted.
City staff explained the median’s context: Texas Street functions as a right-in/right-out to adjacent commercial property, and the northwest Prince Street improvements by the New Mexico Department of Transportation created medians that made Texas Street effectively right-in/right-out. Staff said the existing median, because of its size, is a place a panhandler may legally occupy under the city’s panhandling ordinance so long as they do not block an ADA path.
Staff presented a contractor quote of $8,600 plus tax to remove and pave over the median. A committee member moved to approve the removal and paving and another member seconded. The committee chair called for the vote; the motion passed with one member voting nay and the recommendation will be forwarded to the city commission.
On the record, staff framed the change as not eliminating safe pedestrian crossings but removing a fixed place where people may remain and distract drivers. A committee member said removing the median would also address situations in which panhandlers stand close to stopped cars and create traffic conflicts.
Ending: The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the commission for final approval; staff will coordinate the removal and paving if the commission approves the recommendation.
