Published: August 24, 2008 01:30 am      

Neighborhood group hopes to make Decatur a one-way street

CUMBERLAND — Members of the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association would like Decatur Street to become one-way.

At the Monday meeting, Jack Murray, chairman of the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association, told the attendees that the group attempted to make the street one-way from Frederick Street to Baltimore Avenue about 10 years ago, but the city council tabled the issue.

At that time, nobody on the council was in favor of the plan and business owners and area residents voiced their opposition at the council meeting.

“We want to decrease traffic to make it safer,” said Murray. “We want a quieter neighborhood.”

According to a previous traffic study, approximately two-thirds of the vehicles that drive on Decatur Street are bypassing Henderson Avenue by cutting across from Baltimore Avenue to Frederick Street, said Murray.

The meeting was attended by about a dozen residents and business owners in the Decatur Street area.

Group secretary Frances Cook said many of the residents are also concerned about vandalism, drinking and littering that has been taking place on the street.

Gail Hall of The Inn on Decatur said she has tired of the lack of weeding in front of some of the properties.

City council member Mary Beth Pirolozzi and council candidate Brian Grim, as well as Cumberland Police Chief Charles Hinnant and Sgt. John Yarnall also attended the meeting to hear the group’s concerns.

Pirolozzi, who is also executive director of County United Way, announced that the Decatur Street area is one of the neighborhoods that is on the list for Cumberland’s Day of Caring and Sharing, which will take place Sept. 5. Weeding, planting, mulching and general cleanup activities will occur at 20 to 25 sites throughout the city. For more information or to volunteer, contact the Volunteer Center of Allegany County at (301) 724-1559.

Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.