Item: Ward 1 residents sound off

As part of the Huntsville Horizon Plan, city residents and university students met Thursday, September 7, 2006 to discuss about the future of the city and the people that live and work there. SHSU Student Body President Christopher Whitaker was in attendance, according to a portion of this Item article:

Ward 1 residents sound off
Huntsville comp plan garners interest from community
by Kelly Prew with Ben Bell
The Huntsville Item
Thursday, September 8, 2006

In an issue spurred from how Sam Houston State University will grow in future years and how it will become “seamless in the community,” several citizens spoke about the need for sidewalks, better driveway access to businesses on major roadways and city services.

Transportation issues were discussed, from both the perspective of local residents and Sam Houston State University students in attendance. Then folks began discussions on what provisions would be made for pedestrians.

Christopher Whitaker, SHSU student body president, spoke for the students.

“There are serious pedestrian issues at Sam Houston Avenue and intersections with Avenue J and Avenue I,” he said. “My worst fear is a student being killed crossing these busy intersections.”

Residents concurred with Whitaker, naming a number of problem pedestrian areas citywide.

SHSU student life chair Justin Berry mentioned how a shuttle service could better improve quality of life for students.

“I agree with the shuttle service idea,” he said. “It would help a lot of local residents too. Sometimes our cars break down and money is tight, and a shuttle service could help out.”

Berry also brought up the issue of traffic lights and student access to the downtown area.

“There is a courthouse traffic light that never changes (University and 11th Street), and eventually backs up. Timing on lights is a little bit off.”

Karl Davidson brought up the possibility of a grant already in existence that would implement an attractive pedestrian system between SHSU and the downtown square, via University Avenue.

If the shuttle system were an option, talk swirled around who would pay the bill. SHSU senior Evan Dierlam suggested the city look to grant funding for a shuttle service.

Berry suggested possible satellite parking and shuttling.

The issue of affordable housing also grabbed residents and students, who agreed Huntsville has a variety of people who need different levels of housing.

“As the student population grows and the state continues to reduce funds, it is more difficult to build dormitories, and students quickly fill these spaces and professors and students alike are commuting because of this,” Whitaker said. “This hurts Huntsville revenue and growth.”