Negative concerns of Eastern’s request to install a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Fourth Street and Roosevelt Avenue, caused the Charleston City Council to consider other options to control traffic and pedestrian safety.

John Inyart, mayor of Charleston, said the council has received negative comments through email and phone calls.

“The people I have talked to have been against the installation of the stop signs,” Inyart said. “I come back to there is a way to improve pedestrian safety that doesn’t involve stopping traffic 24/7.”

These may or may not require a vote for approval from city council, Inyart said.

“Eastern is putting together some proposals to some enhancements to the crosswalks,” Inyart said.

Gary Reed, director of facilities planning and management, requested the three-way stop sign in an effort to make Fourth Street the safest place to cross on campus.

“We need a way to control vehicular flow that comes northbound,” Reed said. “Drivers on Fourth Street need to understand it’s not a through street.”

Reed said the new proposal for the council would recommend some control for pedestrian safety and the control of traffic.

Eastern proposed to the council a sidewalk extension. This would place a sidewalk on the east side of Taylor Hall on the south side of campus and turn east onto Roosevelt.

“I believe traffic control is important out there,” Reed said. “That would give us a sidewalk to join the housing on south campus.”

Reed and the Charleston City Council are working together to complete traffic studies and pedestrian studies.

“Some of the other options we’re looking at are flashing signals in the pavement,” Reed said. “When the pedestrian approaches the crosswalk, it will light up.”

Tuesday evening the council plans to adapt updated flood maps which designate the flood zones of Coles County.

“The state has come in along with federal and have told us where the flood problems by their studies are an issue,” Inyart said. “Their criteria is what is a flood zone and what is not, both from a building standpoint and an insurance standpoint.”

The federal and state governments agree to comply with these updated flood maps, Inyart said.

The council for a grant for the amount of $4,950 will approve an ordinance concerning building improvements of Uptowner.

“Some work needs to be done to the eastside of that building,” Inyart said.

The total amount of the redevelopment is $9,000. Since downtown Charleston is in a TIF district, half of the funds will come from the TIF fund, Inyart said.

“A TIF fund improves the value of the area so the buildings are cared for,” Inyart said. “TIF funds are started in areas where buildings are in disrepair.”

The council will also approve new improvements for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.

High efficiency lighting will be approved for $44,000. In addition, the council for heat and air conditioning maintenance will approve $28,000.

“We got a $37,000 grant for the lighting,” Inyart said. “The grant for heating and air conditioning is $25,000.”

Jennifer Brown can be reached at