The Newton City Council this week addressed what they perceived as an immediate safety issue and approved permanent stop signs at the intersection closest to Legacy Plaza. The area is the old downtown Maytag Campus. Council members unanimously waived the 2nd and 3rd readings and unanimously passed a new ordinance for north and southbound stops signs on West 4th Street North at North 4th Avenue West. A small temporary “stop for pedestrians” has been in place at that T-intersection. Newton Mayor Evelyn George brought up the issue.

“Several times I have observed cars that did not observe the temporary sign in the walkway. Then there’s the 81 apartments that will be filling up soon, and 50 some hotel rooms that will add to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.”

Newton Councilwoman Melissa Dalton quickly added to the Mayor’s comments.

“I will sit there for a minute looking, and then as I pull out there’s a car that I didn’t even know was there. And with the added foot traffic, this just makes sense.”

New apartments and a new hotel are being added at Legacy Plaza, and should be ready for use in a few months.