Wednesday, May 17, 2000
TANK center not welcome
By Terry Flynn
The Cincinnati Enquire
NEWPORT — TANK officials were looking for input on possible designs for the proposed bus transfer center on Fourth Street, but instead were greeted Tuesday night by hostile residents from Newport's East Side who made it clear they don't want the center built.
About 60 people attended the public meeting, which was intended as an invitation to residents to tell TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) what they wanted to see in the development of the transit center.
The questions that opened the meeting and continued for more than two hours had nothing to do with design and everything to do with residents' anger over not being included in the site selection process.
“We have repeatedly told the city officials that we don't want this (center) in our city,” said Corey Siddall, who lives on East Second Street and is a regular visitor to Newport City Commission meetings. “The TANK people haven't given us any proof or figures to show that this center is even needed.”
Several in the audience, including some regular bus riders, brought up the same issue — that TANK presented no hard evidence showing a high number of people needing to transfer buses in Newport.
Mark Donaghy, TANK general manager who conducted the meeting and attempted to answer questions, said the TANK board of directors selected the site on Fourth Street between Monmouth and York streets because of its proximity to the Newport on the Levee development on Third Street and to a number of bus routes that converge in downtown Newport. He said studies showed there was a need for a transfer facility there.
The site, which Mayor Tom Guidugli and City Manager Phil Ciafardini
agreed had received the blessing of city officials, would require the demolition of several structures including the building housing Challenger Piping, which dates to the late 1800s.
Mr. Donaghy said that, if necessary, the Campbell County Fiscal Court could use the eminent domain law to acquire the property.
TANK board member Chuck Peters of Dayton said the site was the one preferred by TANK, and letters had been sent to affected business owners explaining that the company was interested in acquiring their property.
Mr. Donaghy emphasized, however, that no property had been purchased so far.
TANK officials indicated that the project probably would cost about $2 million. The county already has pledged $1 million from the special TANK tax fund, but the remainder of the financing is not set. A federal grant for $1 million was rejected last year by TANK because of certain stipulations.
City Commissioner Jan Knepshield told the gathering he was displeased with the situation because “This is the first thing I've heard about this project in almost two years. I don't know any more about it than anyone else here.”
Commissioner Jerry Peluso said he did not support the proposed site for the transit center when it was initially discussed by city commissioners, “and I don't support it now. There are a number of better locations in the city that would have much less impact on the community.”
Rebecca Walker, a Mansion Hill neighborhood resident, voiced concerns that the location would harm the historic nature of the area, as well as create traffic congestion.
“Unless the (TANK) board decides to take another look at this, I don't see any alternative but to file suit to enjoin them from going ahead with the center,” she said.
Most of those attending the meeting indicated they would turn out for the next TANK board meeting on June 14.
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