City envisions Depot Street revitalization

Traffic could become one way on East Depot Street if revitalizations plans are approved. The city council was presented with the idea Tuesday, but it will not be on the agenda next week. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Order this photo]

Turning East Depot Street into a one-way thoroughfare is one idea that is part of a revitalization project envisioned for a two block area off the public square, the Shelbyville City Council was told Tuesday.

City manager Ed Craig said he had been approached by several merchants on E. Depot about making the street one way due to concerns over safety for the businesses there

Craig said the idea had been floated before, which would only apply to a two-block area from the square to the Highway 82 Bypass.

City Manager Ed Craig displays a conceptual drawing of how East Depot Street could look if revitalized. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Showing the council a printout from the city's architect, Craig said the plan would be to have the street one way, have angled parking on the right side of the street leaving the square, and would allow the city to expand the sidewalks on both sides of the street.

One sidewalk could be 12 feet wide, with walkways 17 feet wide on the other side, Craig said, which would be perfect for sidewalk cafés.

The idea goes hand-in-hand with a concept being floated by those trying to revitalize Shelbyville's Mainstreet program. Craig said he and others visited Cookeville to see what has been done with that town's square, such as taking areas similar to Depot Street and "turning them into a project and turning those downtown communities around."

The projects have made the areas "very attractive and (have) drawn businesses and people back into those neighborhoods," Craig said.

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Do you like the idea of angled parking and one-way traffic on East Depot Street just off the square?

 Yes
 No
 Not sure

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Nearby Winchester was also given as an example of a successful revitalization program by Craig.

Craig said East Depot Street could be revitalized and turned into an attractive outlet for food service and entertainment.

Craig also passed around drawings dating back some 30 years discovered by Nancy June Brandon of what East Depot Street could look like, featuring archways and walkways.

Craig said it was his understanding that all the merchants on East Depot were in support of the idea of making the street one way. Craig also said he welcomed input from the community.

If the council thinks it's a good thing to do, the city could alter the design of the trees that were planned for the area, Craig said. Comments from the council about the idea were favorable.

Craig also mentioned that Beth Rhoton, owner of the Capri Theater, said she was ready to put money into fixing up the exterior of her building, but not until the city comes up with some design guidelines of what would go along with a downtown revitalization project and improve the sidewalks.