For the week of July 22 thru July 28, 1998  

Ketchum Pedestrian mall is a no-go--for now

Business owners voice objections


By KATHRYN BEAUMONT
Express Staff Writer

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Loss of Leadville Avenue parking, as well as access to businesses, became an issue during a public hearing to temporarily close the street. (Express photo by Willy Cook)

Plans for a two-week trial period of a pedestrian mall on Leadville Avenue between Sun Valley Road and Fourth Street were dashed Monday night by the Ketchum City Council.

The trial, which would have taken place between Aug. 21 and Sept. 3 would have helped determine whether a pedestrian mall was a feasible suggestion for the city as part of its newly drafted comprehensive plan.

The council voted to shelve the proposal after business owners along Leadville expressed concerns during a public hearing.

The council decided the many issues that would accompany a pedestrian mall, such as trash removal, vendors’ licenses and parking, were too important to make a decision without further consideration.

"Three days of temporary planning and three minutes of discussion aren’t enough," said Councilman Dave Hutchinson. "If we could plan this by next August it would be a miracle."

While many business owners were concerned about the loss of 15 parking spaces and street vendors potentially competing with their businesses, the one problem the council could not surmount was the issue of parking at Louie’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant.

"No one’s told me how I’m going to get in and out of my parking lot," said Louie Mallane, the restaurant’s owner.

Louie’s has no egress on Sun Valley Road; all traffic enters and exits his lot off Leadville.

"We hadn’t given a thought to your lot," said Councilwoman Sue Noel.

22led.gif (14999 bytes)This rendering shows how the proposed pedestrian mall would look along Leadville Avenue.

While city planners will still propose a venue for a one-day street fair to publicize the comprehensive plan, for now, the mall is off.

"I think the concept has merit, but we have to work our way through it, and bring it up again when it’s more appropriate," Hutchinson said.

 

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