Scott Street In Hancock Will Not Be Permanently Closed

The Hancock City Council has voted not to permanently close Scott Street. The street is barricaded off during the winter at the Elm Street intersection.

The city had received a request to close the steep road even during the summer.

Several residents spoke during a public hearing on the matter.  One person even turned in a small petition in support of closing the road.

The city had received a number of emails that were mostly in support of the closure as well.

The concerns center on the safety for those living near the street.

However, the majority of those who stood up to speak at the meeting were opposed to blocking off Scott Street year round.

Among those were business owners who said they would be adversely affected if traffic had to be rerouted around town since many drivers use Scott Street as a shortcut into the downtown area.

Finlandia’s Karin Van Dyke spoke on the behalf of the University in opposition to the closure, stating it would reduce access to Finlandia and cut off the route to their newly built handicap accessible area.

After hearing both sides, the council decided to keep the status quo and allow the closing of Scott Street in the winter but to reopen it during the summer.