It's a narrow little street, unofficially measuring 21 feet and 9 inches.

When cars are parked along the west side, it's not uncommon for vehicles to pull over and stop to let others through. The street-level sidewalk is often employed while a car is passing.

Local residents are aware of the tight situation, and recently more than 60 neighborhood people signed a petition to change Reed from a two-way to a one-way southbound street.

Betty Gilbert presented the Warsaw city council with the petition Monday, along with photographs of the street and police report data, which list 31 accidents in less than three years.

Residents along Reed, Fort Wayne and Main streets signed the petition, which claims Reed is a dangerous environment for pedestrians and has congested intersections.

Reed Street runs north and south for two blocks. Beginning at Center Street, between North Tamarack and Zoe streets, Reed is intersected by Main Street, a one-way going west, and Fort Wayne Street, a one-way going east.

The Express Mart, a convenience store also selling fuel, is at the corner of Center and Reed streets.

Gilbert said in 1995 the council considered making Reed a southbound one-way. At the same time Tamarack was considered as a northbound one-way.

When the traffic ordinance was signed in February 1996, only changes to Tamarack were designated.

Gilbert said she has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

A recent traffic commission review suggested that either parking be officially banned on the street because of its width or the sidewalks be removed.

Gilbert said if the sidewalks are removed many people will come down their steps and be right on the street.

One Reed Street resident said she has no place to park on her property and she works second shift, getting home very late in the evening.

Ed Davis and Ron Gilbert also spoke in favor of the one-way designation.

Dave Kintzel approached the board, saying his family has owned Express Mart since the 1930s.

Establishing Reed as a one-way street would make it impossible for fuel trucks to make deliveries because they off-load on the right side, he said.

After delivery the tankers go up Reed and turn right on Main, which, Kintzel said, is a tricky maneuver.

Making Reed a one-way street "would kill our business," Kintzel said, and "be a huge inconvenience to our customers."

Councilman Jerry Patterson asked whether or not the fuel tank could off-load on the left side.

Kintzel said a driver could but would have to pass the hose under the truck.

Dewey Lawshe, who was in the audience and drove a fuel truck for many years, said universal connections are available. He said he also had put a hose under a tanker many times to make a delivery.

Jo Paczkowski, a traffic commission member said, the commissioners are sensitive to the parking issue and don't want to take it away.

She said, however, the street is too narrow for parking according to city code.

Many residents use half the sidewalk when parking on the west side.

Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the street department has earmarked money to rebuild the sidewalks and curbs along the street. No one will be able to park on the sidewalk after new ones are installed.

Councilman Jeff Grose recommended the item be sent back to the traffic commission for a formal recommendation, which was approved.

The traffic commission will meet at 9 a.m. Jan. 3. [[In-content Ad]]