SM waiting since 2012 for DOTD’s Main Street fix

Five years ago the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development approved a promising solution to the constant problem of cars and trucks hitting columns at the Bridge/Main Street intersection. It is finally being done now.
At the Oct. 2 city council meeting, Mayor Thomas Nelson revealed the nearly-forgotten DOTD project approval to make use of planters to widen the path of vehicles negotiating the corner. The planters are being installed as part of the sidewalk project in the downtown district.
The project involves adding curved planters extending north and east from the corner. Traffic will be forced away from the curb as it approaches the corner. This change will, designers hope, reduce damage from vehicles hopping the curb.
Nelson said he has requested that two bollard posts also be added at the corner to further protect the building’s brick columns and walkway.
In other business, Dist. 1 councilman Mike Fuselier proposed the formation of an advisory board to evaluate prospective candidates to replace Chief of Police Calder Hebert. He suggested the inclusion of representatives of a cross-section of government and civilian members with knowledge of police operations in a five-member board. The board would advise the council, which would make the final decision.
Council members Edmond Joseph, Dennis Paul Williams and Debra Landry opposed the measure, saying the selection is the job of elected officials, and outside advisors would not be productive.
“We should keep this simple” Landry said. “The council has always been able to select a police chief without any kind of an advisory board. The voters elected us to make these decisions.”
Fuselier told the Teche News, “We have designated an advisory board for the selection of the electricity provider, the Main Street Association manager and other things. It seems like a good idea to get help from people who are more familiar with police matters than we are.”
With three of the five members against it, the proposal failed to pass. Several potential candidates have taken the Civil Service exam for the chief position, but it is not known at this time how many plan to apply for the job.
Also, Dist. 2 councilman Craig Prosper suggested a change to specifications for five pavilions to be constructed at the two city parks. Bid requests included rounded roofs to match existing structures. Prosper said straight-built ridge roofs would be much cheaper. The council approved the change.
Two new pavilions are to be added at Magnolia Park and three at Adam Carlson Park using funds from the parish recreation bond passed last December.
Finally, the council approved the proposed Capital Outlay project list for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The list includes a sewer extension to the SLCC campus and renovations to the city hall building.