The Urbana City Council will continue its discussion of parking elimination on Kinch Street to connect the Bicycle Master Plan to a proposed north-south bike path between Thomas Paine and Prairie Elementary schools.

If the council approves the ordinance, parking would be eliminated for the entire west side of the street. Because of two narrow sections in the road, parking would also be eliminated on the east side between Florida and Vermont streets as well as between Michigan and Pennsylvania avenues.

After hearing concerns expressed by residents of the street last week, council members proposed the Public Works Department look into a compromise of a shared vehicle and bike lane in the narrow sections of the road.

However, Eric Jakobsson, Ward 2, said Public Works staff does not believe shared parking will be possible in the area, and he is inclined to follow their recommendation to eliminate parking.

“I think it is more important to have a continuous bike route (from the) north to the south even if it does require to remove parking on those two blocks,” he said.

Jakobsson also said the council is considering whether a stop sign should be implemented at the corner of Kinch and Michigan Streets.

“Where we are going to encourage people to bike, especially youngsters, to school, we also don’t want to have cars speeding,” he said.

Jakobsson said council members will discuss implementing a speed survey to gather information on the safety of the intersection.

Council members will also consider a new artist for the King Park Public Art Project. The Public Arts Commission recommended unanimously that the council contract artist Preston Jackson. The city is offering a $45,000 budget for the creation of a steel and bronze sculpture to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Corinne can be reached at [email protected].