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Minutes for the City Council meeting on December 21, 1998
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PUBLIC HEARING - 6:00 p.m. - Mr. Jerry Craft was represented by his Attorney, Bobby Gibson who provided Council with documentation detailing the benefits of a protected living environment. Mr. Gibson stated the only contention he was aware of involved Bridge Street which provides access to the Northside Christian Ministries, who was represented by their Attorney, C.M. Mooney, Sr. Mr. Mooney explained the Northside Christian Ministries cannot afford to finance access to their property should the right-of-way be vacated, and inquired as to who actually owned the side walk running the length of Bridge Street up to the church. Attorney Mooney stated his client was in agreement with the right-of-way abandonment except for Bridge Street. He requested that Mr. Craft build a fence along the west side of Bridge Street leaving access to Bridge Street as it presently exists. Mr. Mooney explained by cutting down Bridge Street it would remove the sidewalk, eliminate access to the church, and would make Bridge a substandard street. Attorney Gibson stated since 1969 the useable part of Bridge Street has been 26 feet in width, with the remainder being owned and used by Mr. Craft for parking. Mr. Gibson explained his client could not forgo the sidewalk due to the limited amount of space needed for parking. Councilman Crockett questioned if Mr. Craft would be willing to build a new side walk on the other side of Bridge Street. Mr. Gibson stated it was his understanding that Mr. Craft was working with limited funds for this project, and clarified that if a sidewalk was placed on the other side of Bridge it would be in the City’s right-of-way not Mr. Craft’s. Councilman Crockett questioned if it would solve the concerns of Northside Christian Ministries. Mr. Mooney stated it would be helpful, but would still leave Bridge a substandard street. Councilman Tate stated the sidewalk is on private property belonging to ...
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