Island Dispatch, 1996-12-06

              Island DISPATCH (716) 773-7676 __r* years "As the voice of Grand Island" 650 20 Pages December 6,1996 Vol. 53 • No. 35 m 237* Orand island Bfvd TOWN HAU. SQUARE CALL 77KLEAN or 773-4114 Traffic woes spark alternatives by Christopher Caile Supervisor James Pax introduced a request for additional bridges or tunnels in part to accommodate projected increases in traffic from U.S. gamblers Monday at the Town Board Meeting. "Traffic is getting worse and worse," Pax said, "and with the new casino in Niagara Falls, 8000 people a day are expected to visit it from (he Suites. One half will be going over Grand Island. This would add to the already 16 million vehicles that pass over the bridges annually." The proposal received universal support. Councilman James Sharpe requested holding up the resolution, however. Noting it takes at least ten years to build a bridge he suggested that short term solutions also be addressed. Pax said the proposal's wording could be worked on. The resolution was tabled for Town Board discussion. Councilman Andrea Morcau saic later, "Everyone is 100 percent behind the proposal. Every year the traffic gets worse and worse." But she also noted the importance of working on short term as well as long term goals to resolve the problem. Sharpe said, "Short term solutions could include asking the Thruway Authority to study the efficiency ol traffic flow over the bridges and make changes to maximize the flow. "It would be the Thruway Authority's decision," Sharpe said "but one short term measure couk be to re-engineer E-Z Pass lanes On the South Bridge the E-Z Pas lanes could be moved away from the Booth Administrative Office so cars could be speed through lanes without endangering the Toll Takers moving back and forth to their booths." "Two years ago. the Chamber suggested a more encompassing solution of moving toll booths off the bridge and locating them centrally on the Island," Morcau said. "This would reduce costs of Toll Plaza administration. Island residents could also escape continued toll costs." Another mid-to-long term solution previously considered was to reduce Truck bridge traffic on the Island by routing it over an extension of LaSallc Extension through Wheatfield and Tonawanda and their industrial areas to connect with the Youngman Expressway. As part of a Western New York Transportation Plan developed by the State several years ago the towns of Wheatfield, Tonawanda and Grand Island voted in its favor. A FAMILIAR SIGHT- Below the South Grand Island bridge, Thruway Authority workers can often be found making necessary repairs. But does the Island need another bridge that would demand maintenance, funds to build it, and also possibly increase our tolls? Two sides of the issue were discussed at Monday's Town Board meeting (by Christopher Caile) A BUCKET OF CHEER - Residents were probably wondering how those colorful candles that sparkle so brightly along Whitehaven Road managed to get up there. Through the joint efforts of the town board, recreation department, the Grand Island Business Council and the Chamber of Commerce, Mike Sendlbeck, Andrea Moreau and Lynn Tufillaro managed within 10 days to get the cooperation of a few local businesses. With owner Mike Sexton, helper Mark Gardner (shown here) and electrician John Gramlick of HMS Electric donated the time to install the Christmas decorations that coincide with the Reflections of Grand Island contest now underway. Niagara Mohawk wired the outlets, (by Town Center Plan surfaces after first by Christopher Caile Supervisor James Pax surprised listeners at Monday's Town Board meeting by stating that he will soon present his own Town Center Plan. The new proposal information came up during conversations following comments by Councilman James Sharpe on his own plan proposal. Pax said it is still too early to provide details of his plan or who is involved but it should soon be ready. Pax said later that the new plan "would be a lot less expensive." And he emphasized, "we will find funds for it." He declined to provide any more details. a Sharpe introduced his own detailed proposal with a letter addressed to the Town. Anticipated characteristics of the plan were noted, and there was a call to form a Town Center Master Committee. The proposal was to be placed on the Town's December 16 Meeting agenda It called for approval of the scope of the work on the Town Center Plan and to enter into contract with a planning consultant. Funds requested would have been $18,760 to be deducted from the unused portion of the 1996 Contingency Account. Now, with the new Pax proposal, the timing of Sharpe's plan introduction and request for funding is in doubt. Sharpe told the Dispatch, "I'm going to wait in introducing my plan until the time Pax introduces his own. This will allow comparison, and out of this perhaps we can develop a plan that will include the best of both. What's at stake here is not my plan or Jim's, but the best interest of the Town Center and the people of Grand Island." "Sooner or later we will have lo commit to the Town Center Plan within the Comprehensive Plan we have created, and all the activities happening only add to the necessity to do something and find money." Stressing the importance of action now, Sharpe added, "There is the Tops expansion and associated commercial space, two major subdivisions waiting to be submitted for Town approval, expansion of the Town park, plus continuance of the sewer district along Grand Island Boulevard, and the necessity of new sidewalks. Especially important is the collapse of business within the Town Center." CONTINUED ON PACE $ KCfo/ustmas Countcfoum 20 DAYS LEFT see oMagana 'xT/tontlen X^t»' FtPubtomtto*'*  Section i|M in Ikts tesue W ' j__f