Careful where you walk on W. Catawba
Blocked sidewalk on West Catawba
Sept. 20. By Dave Vieser. The sidewalk in front of the Junker apartment project on West Catawba adjacent to the old Wher-rena business has been blocked off by a chain link fence, forcing pedestrians to move very close to traffic.
Town officials say they are aware of the situation, but not much is happening to correct it, at least for now.
The developer is able to remove the sidewalk to construct the new sidewalk that accommodates their development,” said Assistant Town Manager Tyler Beardsley.
Quotable
“The developers notified Town staff about removing this prior to the demolition and the Town posted this on social media about three weeks ago. The developer is currently relocating utilities along West Catawba. They anticipate this work taking 6-8 weeks. Once that work is complete, the developer will install the new sidewalk. The Town and developer have been and will continue to investigate a possible temporary sidewalk, however with the location of the utility relocation work a temporary measure may be difficult to accommodate,” Beardsley said.
A temporary measure would mean a gravel path.
However, as of this morning, there were no warning signs posted nor any indication of a gravel path being built. There is no sidewalk on the opposite side of West Catawba Avenue.
The Junker Project has been beset with controversy from day one.
Several former town commissioners who voted for the project’s rezoning lost re-election in 2021.
Castle Development Partners in Charlottesville Va., could not be reached for comment.
When completed the project will comprise 195 apartment units.
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I wrote to Cornelius about this on Monday. Zero response. That sidewalk is a major thoroughfare for kids on bikes; pedestrians; folks pushing baby carriages. It is totally UNSAFE to expect us to walk in a drainage ditch or try to walk on Catawba. There is no sidewalk on the other side of the street. I’d like a response from the mayor or members of city council since this is a city sidewalk. Thanks.
Where are kids on bikes; pedestrians; folks pushing baby carriages supposed to walk now? There are no sidewalks on the other side of the street. It’s unsafe to try to walk in the drainage ditch or on Catawba.
I thought it was illegal to block a sidewalk in Cornelius without any alternative walkway.
How will the utility work and sidewalk affect the widening of W.Catawba scheduled for next decade?
Developers get their way.
Another major flub by our so called town leaders. With this latest splatter of egg all over their faces, one can’t help but wonder when an egg shortage will be announced.
Apparently I am late to the party as I personally experienced said problem today as a passenger side mirror whized by me. I thought how hard could this be to have a temporary sidewalk added to this wonderful project, but I guess 20 yards of gravel is just to much for the developers. Maybe the folks who approved this can do it themselves…oh wait, only 1, well 2 technically remain.
I can’t wait until the other side of the street turns into a nightmare…oh wait, that can’t happen as the new board understands and ran on doing the right thing. I can sleep well now.
Hi, Kevin. Gravel won’t help the children on bikes or the people pushing baby strollers. This is just pathetic and shows how little whoever is in charge of Cornelius cares about safety of residents. This needs to be a very high priority to get fixed ASAP before someone gets hurt.
an excellent point Betty.
Unacceptable and dangerous! We ride our bikes to the park and are forced to ride on a road with no shoulders and lots of traffic. The developer should be forced to provide a temporary walkway. Disappointed that Cornelius has allowed this to happen.