What are the actual costs of changing the name of a street? Some think changing the name of a street is no big deal. If you are a tired truck driver with 45,000 pounds of steel on your truck and you cannot find your delivery address, the additional stress matters.
Stressed Trucker
Not all issues have been explored by the city council before implementing the Jefferson Drive name change. When asked in the open City Council meeting, the City Council nor Mayor were able to provide actual costs to citizens and business for the street name change.
Monday evening was a work session of the Scottsboro City Council. There were three issues on the agenda for discussion. 1) Discussion-Closure of Micah Way from Snodgrass Rd. to the north entry of the WalMart Shopping Center on Oct 15, 2012 from 3-8PM for a Track Meet. 2) Surplus property discussion, 1998 Chevy S10 Blazer.
3) Discussion of Jefferson Dr. name change to Hero Drive to honor our military, police and fire.
I spoke to the city council concerning the issue of costs to city. Comments by city officials indicate the costs to the city would be minimal. There have been no statements as to the actual costs of the street name change given to citizens. Research indicates an approximate cost to the city would be $500.00, which includes administrative, sign manufacture and labor costs.
There are other issues which apparently have not been investigated: a) 911 system effect; b) map change costs; c) GPS changes; d) business delivery change costs. There are 3 industries in this area which rely on GPS directions for deliveries. Apparently, there have been no cost analysis concerning the cost to local business nor the actual cost to the city. Initially there was an objection by one business in the area; however, last night it was stated that business changed their mind and did not object to the street name change. City officials have indicated they contacted all businesses on Jefforson street and no one objected to the name change.
Concerning the street name change issue: By all appearances, governmental actions which are feel good measures are implemented without a full investigation into actual costs to city and business.