Protesters upset with P Street traffic ByIevaAugstums and Josh Funk Staff writers The sound of passing motorists honking in protest of two-way traffic on P Street on Friday interfered with the Embassy Suites Hotel groundbreaking inside Crane River Brewpub and Cafe. Protesters gathered near 11th and P streets with petitions and signs asking motorists to “Honk 4 One-Way.” They collected about 300 signatures that morning demanding the return to one way traffic onP Street Inside the cafe, 211 P St., Mayor Mike Johanns and hotel developer John Q. Hammons dug their silver shovels into a small box of dirt marking the start of hotel construction as City Council members and other officials watched. “This is a great opportunity to enhance and cultivate the downtown community,” Brad Korell, president of National Bank of Commerce, said. “It’s only fitting that this block is replaced with this prominent hotel.” But that progress has not been wel comed by everyone. Signs of protesters outside argued that “2 way + 2 slow=No Go.” And about 50 to 80 people showed up in support of that equation and a return to one-way traffic. “We’re here to give them hell,” protest organizer Jim Wrenholt, a Lincoln small business owner, said. The site of the new hotel, Block 35, located between 10th,! 1th, P and Q streets, has been central in Lincoln’s his tory and the protester’s arguments. It was the city’s founding block in 1860 and has been the site of many prominent hotels and businesses over the years, Korell said. “Traffic on P Street was two-way and accommodated business quite well,” he said. Protesters believe the incoming hotel influenced the traffic redirection. “Money talks, and we’re seeing it* voiced right here,” said Duane Mischsek, a city campus utility plant employee. The change to two-way traffic has angered many residents who argue lane reduction causes traffic congestion. “This change is a waste of taxpayer money,” Mischsek said. “This is just a continuing disaster.” Johanns said he is working to bal ance the interests of the people with pre serving Lincoln’s downtown area. The long-term effects of the hotel will bring economic activity to a thriving down town , he said The City Council decided to change P Street to two-way traffic in an effort to connect downtown with the Haymarket area and make the street more pedestri an-friendly. Council members also argue that two-way traffic and more pedestrians will generate more busi nesses onP Street Protesters said they organized their demonstration Friday morning to coin cide with the hotel groundbreaking to attract attention. “I’m here in support of one-way traffic,” said Lyn Leach, owner of Ace Rent-To-Own, 2429 O St “I believe the hotel is a major reason for the street change.” Hammons, who is planning to build and own the hotel, disagreed. “We are in the hotel business, not the street business,” Hammons said. “Lincoln needed this hotel. We are studying to make it successful.” According to campaign finance reports, Hammons contributed $1,000 to Johanns’ gubernatorial campaign in August But Johanns denied any connection * between the contribution, die hotel con struction and the street change. Wrenholt plans to present the peti % don to die City Council on Monday to I demand a return to one-way traffic. ; Wrenholt said he received a mixed response at the last council meeting, though there was interested in his peti tion. “We need people to keep die pres sure up,” Wrenholt said. Though a few Bill Hoppner sup porters were present with the P Street protesters, Wrenholt emphasized that the protest was nonpartisan. Johanns noted the Hoppner sup porters on the comer and decried the politics in the protest “If there was a Johanns sign out there, I would tell them to move on,” Johanns said. Mike Morosin, vice chairman of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Roundtable, said he supported Embassy Suites com ing to Lincoln but is against a two-way P Street because of the danger and con gestion he said it creates. “It’s a dumb way to flow traffic,” Morosin said. “Angle parking is extremely dangerous. Not only can you not see who is coming, you back your car up ...and stop traffic for blocks.” Bicyclists are concerned the change to two-way will be more dangerous. “I commute daily by bike, and since the changes, 13d1 Street has become extremely dangerous,” Mischsek said. But Johanns blamed the ongoing construction to convert P Street, which is scheduled to be completed in mid- to late November. He told citizens not to be discour aged by the P Street conversion. “Nobody’s feet are stuck in cement,” he said. “We want to invest in • people’s future.” rad the scon is. 4r The following Is a list of goals ASUN has set, and th« progress It has made. 1. Continue commitment to dvereity through sponsored events and increased communication with the campus community. —ASUN Human Rights Committee Chaiman Andy Schuerman said ASUN wfl be waking wife the UNL chapter of Amnesty Wemalional to hep promote the 50lhannivefsay of the Univereal DedaaBon cf Human Rights on Dec. 10. Schueiman said from Oct 2M0, Amnesty International^ goal is to colect 5,000 signatijes and send ttiem to Paris to be assembled as part of Ihewortcfs largest book. 2. Maintain regular campuswide community service projects. - Ryan Anderson, chairman of toe Campus IJb Committee, said ASUNwl work with UNLIs Hatoiat for Humanly chapter Nov. 7 on the TIU House.’ 3. Enhance technologicai services to students. —Paul Schreier, ASUN Technology Fee Advisory Board member, said student Web services presently are being qpdated to include onine registration, schedules and grade checks. 4. Research the opfore to make student evaluations more effective. - ASUN Academic Committee members are meeting wito oolege departments and faculty members to dtecuss midsemester feedback forms. Kara Slaugta,(X)rrmtteechaimanan,saU the cormtitee also is taldng wih other Big 12 schools and researching their metoods of professor evaluations. 5. Address campus parking concerns. - ASUN senators are continuing to research and dscuss parking concerns. a Continue efforts to unite City and East campuses. —Anderson said Campus Life and the ASUN Environmental Issues subcommittees are looting into providng better shuttle andfar bus transportation between City and East campuses. 7. Create a larger representation of students through outreach initiatives. —ASUN President Sara Russel is contacting student organization presidents asking them to attend Campus CoaKon meetings. The next meeting is 630 pm Thusdayh the Nebraska Union. a Raise awareness of the proposed spendng Bd amendment to the Nebraska Constitution and the immediate effects imposed on UNL and Hs students. —ASUN is continuing to work wilh Students Against the Lid to promote awareness of Initiative 413, the proposed tax Id amendment that could cut $20 mion from the NU system's budget Russel said both grotps are promoting‘Blue to MU’ and are enooiraging Ihe lALcommuniy to wear blue, instead of red, to the Nebraska vs. Mssouri footbal game Oct 24. a iobby for student input and concern regarcting the ASUN government party system. - Russel’s proposed measure to keep a partisan government system, but remove the isling of paty names on the election balof, is being decussed by the ASUN Electoral Commission. Ryan Fuchs, Electoral Commission drector, said tire commission wi present an election proposal to ttie senate in the next couple of weeks. 1a Work to promote alcohol awareness and education campuswkte. - Russel is organizing a steering oommltee to he*) wih efforts revolving around the Laura Cockson Memorial Schotarshp Fund. The commiteewl include the Cockson tamly, ASUN, Gamma Phi Beta Sororly, University Foundation, Student Foundation and Project CAR.E representatives. I Hnd you think you bend over backwards. ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Order through charge by phone (402)475-1212 iLinwn or (402) 422-1212 (Omanaj or online at: www.ticketmaster.com. See the "Stars of China" National Hcrobatic Troope. Appearing also at Omaha Music Hall November 5 & 6. Tickets: $20 - $25. Group tickets CIO or more) $3 off. Children, ages 2-12, $5 off. 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