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DPW Says No to Impact Study
(posted May 25)
The Indianapolis DPW has denied a request to conduct a neighborhood impact
study on the effects of vacating Georgetown Road. Local residents had
request a closure study to see where traffic will disperse to in the
surrounding neighborhoods once Georgetown Road is closed.
The proposal to permanently close Georgetown Road from 16th Street to 25th
Street has generated concerns from local residents Susan Luebbert and Karen
Pickens, who requested a study be conducted before the actual closure.
The road will be converted into a linear park . The Speedway Redevelopment
Commission has proposed closing Georgetown Road to prevent potential terrorist
threats during racing events and to give crowds inside the track's fence line
more walking space.
Luebbert requested a study last summer from Metropolitan Planning
Organization manager Mike Dearing, suggesting shutting down the
road for one day to see where traffic would disperse. The request was forwarded to the
DPW because that agency controls Georgetown Road.
DPW public information officer Kit Werbe responded April 25, stating that
a one day study would not be sufficient time to gather usable information
and not all residents would have access to their homes if a temporary closure was
implemented.
Werbe explained "Even if all the above factors were met as of now, we would still run into the issue of timing. The month of May is probably not a viable option due to the Indy 500 and schools will be dismissing for the summer. Due to the proximity of schools near 25th & Lynhurst, we feel that the study should be done while school is in session. This would push any potential study back to the start of school in mid-August, which doesn't meet the design schedule."
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