Community disappointed with Frazier Avenue “fix”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Many people appreciated council’s quick action on Frazier, but not the action itself.

John Duncan a community member said, “I want to congratulate Vice Chair Jenny Hill, the Mayor, and the public works department in taking swift and decisive action to make something get done on Frazier avenue. I am troubled with the temporary nature.”

Some thought the change was redundant.

“The proposed reconfiguration pushes traffic into the outermost lanes closest to pedestrians on the sidewalk. On the northside where the tragedy last weekend took place there is still no protection for pedestrians other than a handful of small trees and light poles,” said Nathan Byrd.

Others thought it was flawed.

Sam Murray said, “This plan is far from perfect. This needs to be extended to seven days a week, our lives matter Monday through Friday too.”

Some even wondered if it was a way to win voters.

“You opted for the middle ground between appeasing the activist and not and managed to satisfy neither of them and if this is because you’re worried about reelections, I can promise you you will strengthen your base with action and you’ll weaken it with middling appeasement,” said Andrew Scales.

No matter the reason, people did not like the changes coming to Frazer avenue.

Dana Smith said, “I will say though that the current plan proposed, I don’t think it benefits everybody.”

Vice Chair Jenny Hill said she was listening. “There seems to be a shared voice that pedestrian safety and multi-model safety needs to be a higher priority in our city.”

It will be a waiting game to see what additional changes, if any, get made.