No Decision On White Street

There will be no change to traffic flow on White Street for now.

The Hancock City Council voted to table the issue of whether to return the downtown bypass to two-way traffic or keep it as a one-way northbound street at their regular meeting Wednesday.

The vote came after the council heard from a packed room during a public hearing on the matter.

Though opinions on the topic varied, Councilman John Haeussler summarized the arguments by saying those in favor of two-way traffic wanted it changed because of convenience and those who wanted it to remain one-way were concerned about safety.

Others were concerned about traffic spilling over to other residential streets.

Mayor Lisa McKenzie said the council needed to be further educated on the matter before they could make an informed decision.

White Street was converted to a one-way street in 2014 under concerns that the heavy traffic was taking its toll on the road, which is owned and maintained by the city.

Estimates to reconstruct the road are in excess of $1.5 million, all paid for by the taxpayers of the city of Hancock.

The number of motorists has increased over the last three years.

City Manager Glenn Anderson said if White Street was made two-way again, there could be as many as 8,000 cars on the narrow residential street every day.

In other business, the Hancock City Council adopted their Fiscal Year 2017-18 Budget.

The budget includes $7.9 million in expected revenue with $7.4 million in expenses.

Former Councilman John Haeussler was introduced as a new member of the council, filling the at-large seat left vacant after the passing of Mary Tuisku.

Haeussler will serve the remainder of the term, expiring in November 2018.

A flower and Mary’s name plate remained at her seat during Wednesday’s meeting.