City tries to find a safe emergency route to school

Franklin – It's taken two years, but the city may be closer to a solution on how emergency vehicles can gain another access point to Pleasant View Elementary School.

City officials are exploring Mayor Thomas Taylor's proposal of creating a cinder block-type road that would link up to the school and be used only by emergency vehicles.

This type of street would be less costly than other options and, because of its specific emergency-use purpose, would not reroute traffic or impact safety in the neighborhood, Taylor said.

A similar road was built for the Indian Community School, 10405 W. St. Martins Road, when it was constructed, Taylor said.

Before final approval, city leaders will meet with school district officials and neighborhood residents to go over the plan.

The council heard from about a dozen neighborhood residents and parents last week on safety concerns regarding the school, 4601 W. Marquette Ave., and the surrounding neighborhood.

Everyone was in agreement that there needs to be more than one way for a fire truck or ambulance to reach Pleasant View School, but they strongly differed on what that way should be.

Alderman Lyle Sohns favored an option that would extend Marquette Avenue to Hillendale Drive, but neighbors and others criticized it for being too dangerous for kids walking and biking in the area.

Alderman Kristen Wilhelm, who represents the district encompassing the school, said she would like to see Marquette Avenue reach 51st Street to give ambulances or fire engines the ability to get to the school more readily.

Opponents of that plan called it too costly because the city would have to acquire undeveloped land to put in a road.

Many criticized the length of time it has taken for the city to provide Pleasant View another access point.

"This is government at its worst," Taylor said after stepping down as the meeting's chairman so that he could voice his opinion.

While officials look into a cinder block-type road, the city can wait for a developer to come along for the unused land between Marquette and 51st streets. The developer would pay for a road that stretches from 51st to Marquette.

St. James Catholic Church, 7219 S. 27th St., is eyeing the land for a new building, but the land remains unsold.