WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM: Vehicles scrape bottom on Salvation Army driveway

By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Bill</a>
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

April 16, 2008 02:03 am

— The new pavement and sidewalk on Walnut Street cause a problem for the Salvation Army.
The relief is too extreme from the street to the sidewalk, causing delivery problems for trucks and parking problems for patrons. Vehicles scrape bottom.
“The driveway into our parking area was designed too steep,” Maj. John R. Wheeler of the Salvation Army wrote. “A few months ago, a car hit bottom, causing the airbag to blow and the windshield to break.”
In March, the truck from the Salvation Army rehab center got stuck on it. “We were going to have to pay to have it pulled out by a tow truck, but the city graciously helped us out.”
The steep drive has to be modified, according to Wheeler. “Nobody seems to be able to do it, unless the Army pays for somebody else’s mistake.”
Wheeler called the mayor’s office and the city engineer. The problem was forwarded to the state. Walnut Street is a state highway, Route 31.
“The state said the project was done and the case was closed, so they couldn’t do anything about it,” Wheeler said.
There are noticeable wounds caused by vehicles on the new concrete apron leading from the street to the sidewalk.
The climb is even steeper at the neighbor’s house, and neighbors use the Salvation Army parking lot.