Two-way travel planned on Franklin Street

BY STAN MADDUX

Motor vehicle travel in both directions could return to Franklin Street in Michigan City’s downtown in the very near future.

Plans have emerged to switch from the current oneway travel northbound from Fourth to 10th streets. Angled parking with wider spaces is also included in the plans for two-way travel.

Mayor Duane Parry said motorists traveling in both directions to generate more economic activity downtown has been on the drawing board since at least 2010.

“It’s important to me for the public to understand this is not a knee jerk reaction. This is not something I thought of yesterday. This has been on the table for a long, long time,” he said.

“It’s time we do something. It’s very good for the downtown area,” Parry said.

Converting that stretch of Franklin Street could happen before Memorial Day.

Two-way travel existed when downtown was thriving a half-century ago. After years of decline, though, downtown reached a low enough point to where that stretch of Franklin

Street was closed to travelers.

Years later, Franklin Street reopened for one-way travel. Downtown has made a noticeable comeback over the last decade or so with help from establishing what’s referred to as the “Uptown Arts District.”

The district features things like statues, apartment living for artists along with trendy shops and restaurants.

More of a resurgence downtown is expected from travel time by train to and from Chicago being reduced by 30 minutes in each direction once construction of a double track for the South Shore Railroad commuter line is finished.

Work on adding a second track from Michigan City to Gary is expected to be done in 2024, officials said.

Currently, there are plans to construct three high rise buildings containing apartments, hotel rooms and commercial space in the downtown area to take advantage of the increase in Chicago area visitors and residents expected from shorter travel times by train.

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LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

— SINCE 1942 —

WE NEED MUCH MORE THAN THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

Mass shootings at Michigan State University (MSU) is another wake-up call about the urgent need for laws reducing gun violence - in Michigan/ our country. “Red Flag“ laws allow state courts temporary removal of firearms from persons dangerous to others or themselves. A woman is five-times more likely to be murdered when her abuser has a gun. The US had 49,979 suicides in 2022; which accounts for 54% of all firearm deaths. “Red Flag” laws would help protect women’s lives and save those who pose a risk to themselves.

We need Universal Background checks, mandatory waiting periods, and mental health restrictions. A US survey shows 88% of the participants including 85% of gun owners, favor background checks. Federal law requires background checks when purchasing from licensed dealers. However, only 40% of guns are sold by dealers. In most states, gun show sales and private sales aren’t regulated. States that require private sale background checks have 48% fewer firearm suicides.

Let’s stop children’s gun deaths by requiring owners to store guns unloaded, locked away and separated from ammunition.

Assault, rapid fire weapons with high-capacity magazines are deadly and account for 85% of US mass shooting fatalities. During the 1994-2004 federal ban on assault weapon, mass shootings were 70% less likely to occur than 13 years before and after the ban. I’m qualified with assault weapons. But do we really need weapons of war in our civilian society?

Urge your legislators to pass laws that save the lives of adults and children. Michigan should pass “Red Flag”, Universal Background check, and Safe Weapon storage laws. Ideally, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines would also once again become the law of the land.

Stricter gun safety laws will protect our students’ lives and help alleviate their growing fear of just going to school.

— KEN PETERSON, MAJ USA (RET.) BUCHANAN