Officials Discuss Lane Avenue Closure Proposal
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Lane College officials, students and supporters took their case to City Hall, Thursday morning, and met with officials about campus safety and shutting down a portion of Lane Avenue. “We have got to be able to come up with a solution to reroute traffic for less than an eighth of a mile,” said Stephen Brooks, a concerned citizen. Lane College has requested the city abandon Lane Avenue from Hays Avenue and Middleton Street. This would eliminate vehicle traffic at the heart of the campus. However, first responders are concerned about how they would be able to respond to emergency calls on campus and in the areas surrounding. Jackson Police Deputy Chief Barry Michael said, “The more turns we have to take and the more intersections we have to bust through on an emergency call, the greater likelihood we have of having a traffic accident in that intersection. Additionally, some of those [side] roads are not as wide as Lane Avenue.” Lane College President Dr. Wesley McClure said this is a matter of life and death. “This is a matter of safety. It is a profound matter. In fact, it goes to the point of losing one‘s life.” According to Lane College, their enrollment has doubled since 2004 and with the increased foot traffic, President McClure believes closing the street will increase student safety and reduce crime overall. “I just want you to continue to look at the facts. To continue to use our best judgment,” he stated. Lane College Board of Trustees member said the city should protect the college. “Lane College is an industry within Jackson that has continued in the last 15 years to grow from 650 students to 2,200 and a budget in excess of $25 million,” he said. It is an industry that we need to be sure that we protect; we protect in everything and the students are part of it.” But Ella Parham, who lives near the campus, said she still has questions how closing the road will help stop crime on campus. “They can enter Lane College Campus without a car. Then what are you going to do about the inside problem of Lane College crime.” Mayor Jerry Gist also said that closing the road would not solve the crime problem by itself. “There are other issues that need to be addressed as far as safety of the students at Lane College. The closure is one aspect of it, but I‘m sure as was indicated at the meeting, there are a number of other issues that need to be addressed and most of those by Lane College.” Now, officials from Lane College will look at all of options concerning closing the street including the possibility of installing radio controlled gates that would allow first responders to still use the road. A new proposal is expected to be presented to the Jackson Planning Commission in the coming months.
