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Benton looks at adding more sidewalks |
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Monday, 21 April 2008 |
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It’s easy to take things for granted. Take sidewalks, for instance.  Marsha Guffey, director of community development for the city of Benton, displays drawings of the South Street project, which is being planned to improve the sidewalks and general aesthetics of the area. (Courier photo by Jillian Duke)
In movies depicting suburban America, they are nearly always a fixture. But this is real life, and movie reality is a whole other world.
In the world that is Benton, sidewalks don’t run parallel to every street, but officials and residents alike are trying to change that.
“In every meeting we had about a comprehensive plan for Benton, sidewalks were mentioned,” said Marsha Guffey, the city’s director of community development.
The city is working with Metroplan, central Arkansas’ planning agency, to develop a plan called “Walkable Benton” with residents’ input, Guffey said.
It’s all about becoming more pedestrian friendly for everyone, from children walking to school to couples out walking their dog.
Mayor Rick Holland pointed out that in areas near schools, walks can become treacherous when students can’t take refuge on a sidewalk because it either runs out or the concrete simply never was poured.
Guffey said, “Sidewalks are good for physical fitness, safety, people with disabilities who are in a wheelchair. They’re very important.”
She said one of her worries is that she will become immobile when she grows older. “Aging in place,” as she called it, is a concern and being able to have safe walking routes is imperative for people who can’t drive.
Guffey added, “Walkability is important for the new urbanism going on.” More and more people are looking to live in revitalized areas of their city’s downtown, and being able to walk places is a big part of the movement.
Some of Benton’s downtown streets are flanked with sidewalks, but some surrounding areas could use improvement.
Joy Ballard, who enjoys running through downtown with her husband, Gary, said, “I’d love to have sidewalks in more places.
“When you’re running in the street, you don’t like it, cars don’t like it. It would be very nice to have a few more sidewalks.”
The Ballards live on Sevier Street, and Joy Ballard noted that people who live down the street closer to Interstate 30 who don’t have cars “have to walk in the busy street because there are no sidewalks.”
Jasen Kelly said he enjoys living downtown, but sees room for improvement. “I moved downtown because of what the mayor was doing to enhance downtown — the sidewalks, brick, street lamps — but there are still a few sidewalks that could go in downtown,” he said. “I want to see downtown thrive and adding sidewalks will help.”
Kelly is the director of the Boys & Girls Club of Saline County. He said he’s in full support of adding sidewalks on Cox Street where children frequent to get to school and the club.
An improvement is under way for South Street. The general downtown Streetscape design has been approved by the City Council for that street.
The Streetscape project is responsible for the restored vintage look that now is seen in downtown with old-style street lamps and awnings over business entrances.
Other areas where officials are looking to add and/or improve sidewalks include Alcoa Road near the new Hurricane Creek Elementary School; Congo Road near the Fountain Lake Apartments from where students leave and walk to a nearby bus stop on Longhills Road; Northshore Drive off Military Road; and Cox Street across from the Boys & Girls Club on the path to Benton Middle School.
Holland said the city spends about $100,000 a year repairing sidewalks around town that are in bad shape.
“Sidewalks are important, and I like to fund repairs and additions when I can and the money is available,” he said.
There is grant money available to help in this effort, he noted.
The city has applied for a $70,000 grant from the state Highway and Transportation Department, called “Safe Route to Schools.” The grant money would be used for sidewalks near Tyndall Park on Border Street to extend the box culvert to the inside of the park, Guffey said. “And finishing up the sidewalks so kids don’t have to go back in the street to cross the creek.”
Stephannie Baker from Arkansas Children’s Hospital is seeking participants for a discussion group concerning the Safe Route to Schools project. Parents of school-age children, community members, school administrators, school teachers, school nurses, city planning personnel, law enforcement personnel and schoolchildren 10-14 are asked to participate.
Baker may be reached at 364-4954 or toll-free at 866-811-3445.
Guffey said she would like to receive sidewalk requests from people. She may be reached at 776-8058 or by e-mail at
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