Trending
ELKINS -- Davis Health Systems and the city of Elkins are discussing ways to improve traffic flow on Gorman Avenue in Elkins.
At an Elkins City Council's Municipal Properties Committee meeting, Steve Johnson of Davis Health Systems spoke in favor of changing the traffic pattern on Gorman Avenue around Davis Medical Center.
"What we're trying to do is slow down traffic. That's not to say that it's restricted," said Johnson. "It's more of a safety issue to us. We're seeing a lot of through-traffic…
"We did an estimation that about five out of 10 cars are through-traffic and unfortunately, we are built right up on to Gorman Avenue. When people step out of the hospital, they're stepping into the street and not everyone will violate the speed but there are those that do."
"We're just asking if we could control the flow of that street. I don't really know, at this point, what that means," Johnson said.
The hospital is currently planning on renovating the parking lot to ease access into the building.
"This is part of that program. We are requesting now if we could possibly control the traffic flow pattern of hospital traffic only on Gorman Avenue, sooner than later," Johnson said.
Johnson told the committee that DHS is willing to take on the associated expenses with this project.
"I see the traffic and I would be more inclined to simply close Gorman in front of the hospital and have other access into the parking lot and then let people come up there and pick up at the door… It's not that difficult to take one of those other streets to get through there," Karen Wilmoth, Fourth Ward councilwoman a and member of the committee, said.
After more conversation, the committee decided that Johnson and Bob Pingley, operations manager for the city, will meet privately to discuss options for adjusting traffic flow on the street.
• In other city news, Elkins City Council has unanimously passed the first reading of Ordinance 271.
"Just so you understand, there was a very minor change made in the state building code. If you look at the second page in the ordinance, in that first grouping of all of the different international building codes, it used to say 90.1-2007 edition," said Gerry Roberts, city attorney for Elkins.
"It is now the 2010 edition. In order for the city to be in compliance with the state Fire Marshall's directive… you have to adopt the entire thing and repeal the old version," she said.
• Councilwoman Marilynn Cuonzo talked during a council meeting about a potential position for an urban landscaper, tasked with upkeep of trees, flowers and other greenery in city limits. Council members urged Cuonzo to bring this issue to the Finance Committee and the Personnel Committee before officially proposing it to the full city council.