Grande Avenue Closing Remains Hot Topic

(posted Dec 13)

Merri Anderson, president of the Greater Garden City Civic Association, took the issue of vacating Grande Avenue to State Representative Phil Hinkle's December 11 Town Hall meeting. Her message stated that the Speedway Redevelopment Commission's plans to vacate Grande Avenue is affecting more people outside of Speedway than inside. She was concerned about the businesses on Gasoline Alley and the surrounding neighborhoods. "It is a main travel route for a lot of people" since Grande Avenue links to Polco and Gasoline Alley.

Allison Transmission filed the petition to vacate the road, listing the redevelopment commission's plans as the primary reason. Plant security was second on the petition. Allison stated in its community meetings that it needs to close the road to protect plant 14 and its military contracts. The road will be available only to Allison Transmission and its suppliers.

Anderson informed Hinkle that the Dept. of Homeland Security has not mandated a safety buffer for Allison Transmission.

"Homeland security is bogus" Hinkle said, as he explained numerous ways that the current buffers do not protect buildings nor the occupants from terrorists.

"We have created a panacea for a terrorist who wants to blow up a federal building" by removing the parking. He said that parking would create less of a problem than banning parking because it would create more awareness by security guards if they saw a truck doubled park.

Anderson contends vacating Grande is the start of closing other important streets like Georgetown Road. "There is a big remonstrance building," she said, adding "not that anyone is against Speedway improving," but the proposed closing of Georgetown Road further cuts off access for people south of Tenth Street.

Because of the lack of good north-south corridors, Anderson says she drives to Avon to shop, which means taking her money out of the county. Anderson said she "resents" taking her money out of the county, but the road system encourages it.

Elizabeth Frazier asked if closing Georgetown Road is a state issue. Hinkle said it would be a state issue if the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is going to "fork over money for security."