Last night an event was held at Minnetrista for community members to discuss a new bike lane proposal. Two speakers David Heilman and Phil Tevis from Flatland Resources spoke to a room of just over ten residents, including council members Ro Selvey and Sara Gullion. The project is intended to connect Ball States campus with the Downtown by a bike route from Dicks St. to Reserve St. to Washington St. The estimated budget would be $1.4 million.
But residents, including the council members and local bar owner Whitney Lewis, were concerned about the impact the project would have on properties and parking lots. There were also safety concerns, as the bike lanes wouldn’t be protected ones, as well as worry over what impact it would have on historic areas and local business.
Contention was high in the room, namely for the possible limits to parking. Be Here Now owner Whitney Lewis spoke in opposition to the plan, suggesting that the bike lane should cover Riverside instead of University Ave. Ultimately, though, the group of attendees believed a bike lane going near Beech Grove Cemetery was a better alternative. Phil Tevis later in the meeting admitted that it would be ideal in his mind if it weren’t on University Avenue. And although decisions on construction were being made by Ball State, with collaboration from City engineer Adam Leach, an ordinance would have to be approved early next year. Council-woman Ro Selvey said the plan proposed last night wouldn’t be likely to pass the council.
Heilman and Tevis said they now plan to look into a different route near Beech Grove, requiring new studies and approval from Ball State. They both mentioned that any development would be time sensitive because of the grants being used. Changes to the plan would still have to run through or nearby the Ball State village, as one of the three funding sources is the Lilly endowment dedicated to the Village revitalization plan. The other two sources are the City of Muncie, providing street improvements, and the Muncie Arts and Culture Council.