Austin's One-Way Street Plan Sparks Debate
City Debates Major Traffic Overhaul:
A comprehensive "one-way street plan" was presented, aiming to improve traffic flow with new light controls and even a future river bridge across the river.Citizens Divided on One-Way Streets:
A public hearing revealed strong opinions. Supporters, including the Chamber of Commerce, advocated for the plan to ease congestion and aid merchants, while opponents suggested alternatives like street widening or parallel parking.Trial Run for New Traffic System:
Despite the split public opinion, the Mayor announced the city would implement the one-way streets as a trial, reserving the right to modify or reverse the plan if it proved ineffective.
Full Transcript
380 380 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Public Hearing March 22, 1950 7:30 Ρ.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor Glass presiding. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Councilmen Drake, Johnson, Long, MacCorkle, Mayor Glass None Present also: Guiton Morgan, City Manager; C. G. Levander, Director of Public Works; Noble Latson, Assistant Director of Public Works; R. D. Thorp, Chief of Police; Charles Granger, Planning Consultant; Members of the Planning Commission. The one-way street plan was explained by Mr. Granger, with his outlining the streets to be affected; the plan as it would be expanded; the installation of light controls; and eventually a bridge across the river. He outlined the long study which had been made by the Department, and also surveys made by other cities. Different citizens spoke: Mr. Harry Kelly, 5th and Colorado, speaking in favor of one-way streets, but making Colorado one-way south instead of oneway north. MR. EARL BURKHALTER, 310 Colorado, spoke in opposition, suggesting parallel parking and widening the streets instead of making one-way streets. MR. M. J. FERRICK, Investigator of Automobile Accidents, MR. GEORGE E. SHELLY 308 Colorado, MR. G. B. KNAPE, 910 Brazos, spoke in opposition. MR. K. C. MILLER suggested widening the streets and not making them one-way. MR. W. H. SLACK, a new-comer to Austin, stated his experience had been that after a trial of one-way streets for six months, the public favored them. Others taking part in the hearing were MR. M. H. CROCKETT, MR. STARR KEALHOFER, MR. SCHULLE, MR. S. B. SPIER, W. R. DAVIS, R. F. BACON. MR. DAVID LAMME favored one-way streets as a help to the merchants rather than planning parallel parking. He suggested 45 degree parking along one-way streets which would accomodate more cars. He suggested also that bus stops be on the opposite sides of the streetsthat the busses cross the street and stop to load passengers. MR. LUTHER THOMPSON, Chamber of Commerce, spoke favoring the one-way plan; MR. WESLEY PEAR SON, Chairman of the Traffic Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, spoke favoring one-way streets and commending the Planning Commission on its study; MR. WARREN PHILBERT stated one-way streets would help traffic, and he favored them. 381 381 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MR. JESS J. WHATLEY, Driskill Hotel, inquired about the users of 7th Street. He believed they would be affected. MR. CHARLES HUNTLEY favored the one-way plan. MR. JIMMY COCHRAN felt if one-way streets would move traffic 20%, it would be beneficial. MR. BILL DIETER favored a trial on the plan. The group seemed evenly divided. The Mayor stated no vote would be taken this time, but the Council would like to try it and if it did not work, it would be changed. The Council then adjourned. ATTEST: City Clerk Wooley APPROVED: May or