Central Methodist University is seeking support from the city for a project to redevelop the sidewalk and other pedestrian areas along North Church Street by campus. Julee Sherman, the university’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, presented a preliminary plan during the city council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, May 23.

Central is seeking a grant through the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to widen sidewalks and install lighting and crosswalks on the east side of North Church Street between Elm Street and College Avenue. The grant, Sherman said, would amount to between $400,000 and $500,000, of which the university’s part would be 20%. The city has no financial obligation, but CMU is asking for a letter of support for the project.

“We aren’t completely set on our scope yet,” Sherman said about the project. “We’re still doing some pricing and estimating.”

The project will not address parking issues along the street, Sherman explained, because the focus of the TAP grant does not extend to the roadway. 

Fayette Main Street is also seeking a TAP grant for its North Main Street Project. However, Sherman said the two groups are not competing for the same funds and one should not cancel out the other. 

A major criticism of the project is the university’s plan to cut down nearly a dozen established trees along Church Street.

“Taking out those trees is going to change the view going up Church Street,” said Fayette Mayor Jeremy Dawson.

Mayor Dawson said the project is needed, but wants a “game plan” to address the view and aesthetic.

Southwest Ward Alderwoman Bekki Galloway, who recently spearheaded the re-establishment of the Fayette’s Tree City USA status, criticized the university’s plan to cut down trees along Church Street. “People are coming to me and their expressing concern,” she said. “They need to be replaced along this corridor. If you promise trees, I’ll sign off on it,” she told Sherman.

Also at last week’s meeting were representatives from Fayette Main Street, Inc., which is also applying for a MoDOT TAP grant for a project along the northernmost block of Main Street in downtown Fayette. Board President Deanna Cooper and Executive Director Cana Conrow asked the council to approve a resolution in support of the project during its next meeting on Tuesday, June 13. 

At issue is the location of a proposed archway that will span across North Main Street. In a survey of 32 downtown businesspeople and project stakeholders, 22 respondents said they would like the archway to be at the intersection of Main and Davis Streets. However, East Ward Alderwoman Stephanie Ford said constituents with whom she has been talking want the archway a block north where Main Street intersects with Elm Street at the south entrance to campus.

“I’ve had numerous people say they don’t want it where you’re suggesting it,” Alderwoman Ford said. “They want it up on Elm where the college starts.”

Conrow said that stakeholder survey is just a starting point, and Main Street will broaden future surveys to more accurately gauge the sentiment of the community. 

The deadline for both projects to submit applications in July 10.