Right now, the intersection of Third Street and Third Avenue South has a two-way stop sign.
Ward 5 councilman Kabir Karriem said that hasn’t been enough to keep drivers from speeding through that area, causing a safety concern for pedestrians. Karriem will ask his colleagues to approve putting a four-way stop there when the council meets Tuesday — the last 2013 meeting.
Karriem said he’s corresponded with city engineering firm Neel-Schaffer on the possibility of a four-way stop at the request of several complaints from area residents.
“We have a lot of children in the area that play that are out,” Karriem said. “There’s a lot of walking traffic, a lot of people walk their dogs and pets. It’s just a way to slow traffic down through that area.”
Task force for dilapidated properties on agenda
Karriem said he will also propose a committee comprised of city officials to take a closer look at blight in Columbus. Four suggestions for who should be on the task force will include city planner Christina Berry, buildings official Kenny Wiegel and Travis Jones and George Irby from the office of federal programs, he said.
“It’s no question we do a good job of tearing down houses and cutting overgrown lots, but we need a more strategic and surgical way to not only tear those houses down and cut those lots but try to develop a program that would put them back on the tax rolls,” Karriem said.
Options that could also be discussed if the committee is approved would include developing incentive packages for starting a business or building a house in areas where dilapidated properties have recently been abated.
The 5 p.m. council meeting will be held at the Columbus Municipal Complex.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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