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Residents press Hopkinsville council on Edmond Street one-way, historic road maintenance and Greenway costs
Summary
During public comment at the March 3 meeting, speakers urged the council to reverse a recent Edmond Street one-way change for safety, requested that the city maintain a historic family road to preserve access, and asked for clarity on long-term maintenance and match funding for Phase 3 of the Greenway.
Several residents used the March 3 Hopkinsville City Council public-comments period to press the council on neighborhood traffic, property access and the proposed Greenway expansion.
An Edmond Street resident (did not self-identify by name in the transcript) asked the council to reverse a recent one-way change on Edmond Street, saying large vehicles use the route daily and that school buses, trash trucks and emergency vehicles need a wider turning arc. The speaker noted the new signage was not yet installed and asked council to "please consider changing the direction. Keep it one way, but please consider changing the direction." The comment asked the council to "drive the street" to appreciate the turning difficulty.
Deborah Jones, who said her family has owned a parcel off Dawson Springs Road for roughly 137 years, urged the council to include the old Bunner/Budamick/London Road in the city's maintenance schedule. She described the road as a historical landmark used by her ancestors and said she feared being landlocked if maintenance and legal recognition were not addressed. The presiding officer and staff offered to set an appointment to follow up.
Rose Jackson asked for specifics about the Phase 3 Greenway grant and its ongoing costs. "I understand that there's a grant... I also understand that $1,290,000 of local funds has to be matched in order for us to get that $5,000,000 grant. So my question is, what are the long term maintenance costs? Where will that money come from?" she asked. The clerk read a municipal order during the meeting that listed the project estimate at $6,460,008.34 and a 20% match capped at $1,292,166.81; council members noted that the grant covers design and construction but not long-term maintenance, and said funding for upkeep would require separate decisions.
Staff and councilors responded to individual commenters with offers to meet and with procedural clarifications about time limits and the application process for grants. The meeting record shows staff committed to scheduling a follow-up meeting with Deborah Jones to discuss property access.
Ending: Council accepted public comments and noted follow-ups; several items raised by residents will be addressed by staff or scheduled for further council discussion if needed.
