Direction sought on Depot Street flow

A final decision on the direction of Depot Street off the public square could be made during this month's Shelbyville City Council meeting.

The topic arose at Tuesday's special called study session, with city manager Ed Craig pointing out that a decision to change the direction to inbound only traffic for 60 days was put on hold following a discussion after a study session, which led to a decision to "let it slide" until the next council meeting.

However, the topic never moved forward with the council since members Jean Pruitt and Lee Roy Cunningham were absent for the meeting when they were supposed to vote.

Craig said the city was ready to move forward on the direction change, but added he was getting the feeling that the council wanted to discuss it once again.

Police have told council members in previous meetings that the street does not need to be inbound toward the square due to safety issues with nearby McGrew Street, which some drivers use as an alternate route.

Councilman Thomas Landers said the opinion of merchants on Depot Street was "about 50/50" to either leave the road the way it is now or put it back as a two-way street.

Other council members said merchants they have heard from wish to keep it one way, but are undecided on the direction.

"You know, I think we made a mistake messing with it in the first place," councilman Al Stephenson said.

Mayor Wallace Cartwright said that merchants do not want McGrew Street closed because that is where they enter a parking lot for the area.

Randy Sadler of Shelbyville Record Shop on Depot Street said he doesn't care which way the direction is but has a problem with the parking on the street.

"Backing out is dangerous," Sadler said. He also said that the council needs to listen to the advice of the police department regarding the safety issues with Depot and McGrew streets.

Stephenson agreed with Sadler, saying he attempted to back out of one of the parking spots and was nearly hit.

The topic will be on the agenda of the council regular council meeting, set for 6 p.m. on Aug. 13.