by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the May 20 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council learned about plans to reconfigure bike lanes and parking on University Avenue and plans for speed-calming devices on several streets. The council also heard an update on the University apartments slated for construction on Highway 41A.

University Avenue will be “remarked,” said acting Provost Scott Wilson. There will continue to be bike lanes on both sides, although narrower in some places. There will be no parking from the Wellness Center to Georgia Avenue, except for three ADA compliant spots. Two ADA compliant parking spaces already exist next to Biehl Commons, Wilson noted. The bike lanes will run from Hall Street (the Sewanee Inn) to downtown. On the Chapel side there will be parking from downtown to the Wellness Center and from Georgia Avenue to the Sewanee Inn with the bike lane on the outside. The University has retained a civil engineer for the project.

Addressing related concerns, Wilson said first-year student parking would largely be in peripheral lots with central campus lots reserved for employees and visitors. The University plans to establish a “trolley service” similar to the former Baccus service offering nighttime on-campus transportation. In addition, the University has acquired two ADA compliant vehicles to facilitate student transportation to and from peripheral lots and to nearby off-campus commercial sites, such as CVS.

Traffic Committee Chair Michael Payne said the University received grant funding for “speed cushions” on Green’s View Road, Tennessee Avenue, and South Carolina Avenue. Payne pointed out the speed cushions will have gaps in the middle and on the sides allowing for bicycles to travel unimpeded. The committee will continue to investigate solutions to traffic concerns on other streets, especially those without sidewalks.

Reporting on the apartments slated for construction by Sewanee Village Ventures (SVV), Vice President for Economic Development and Community Relations David Shipps said he expected construction to begin in August and estimated completion time at 12-13 months. The project calls for six buildings with eight units in each.

Shipps also announced another SVV project. Through a generous gift, the University recently acquired the former Lumière restaurant site. Plans call for “reanimating” the building with a restaurant projected to open in the fall.

A resident commented the on-campus cemetery was “unsightly and overgrown with weeds.” Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor Nicky Hamilton said she received an “inquiry” about the condition of the cemeteries and “would be looking into it.”

Council representative Bill Harper will serve as the council representative on the Lease Committee. Council representative Ben Tarhan will server as the election officer for the upcoming council representative election which coincides with the national election in November.