A driver knocked down a stop sign, jumped the curb and damaged the irrigation system, took out some pansies and plowed over one of the brick entrance markers to the Riverwood neighborhood in the wee hours of Nov. 7.
All that remains of the entrance marker at the south corner of Old Canton Road and Riverwood Drive is a segment showing the letter “D.” The entrance marker at the south corner of the subdivision entrance was not damaged.
If the accident had occurred just two days later, there’s a good chance it would have been caught on video.
“We’ve been working to install security cameras and, ironically, they were installed a couple of days later,” said Adam Browne, board president of the Riverwood Neighborhood Association.
The entrance markers have been in place for 45 years and Browne plans to get estimates about what it will cost to rebuild the damaged one and then let the association board determine the next step.
“My assumption is it’s going to be expensive,” said Browne, an engineer and resident of the Riverwood neighborhood for 11 years.
Browne said he would like for the driver of the vehicle to pay for repairs to the marker, but he’s doubtful that will happen.
The Riverwood Neighborhood Association is looking into installing public access gates at its entrance, Browne said.
“Several months ago, we contacted someone with the city of Jackson planning division and they forwarded us information about the ordinance and requirements,” he said. “The costs and process are expensive and we’re trying to get an estimate about that. We’re going to go back to the association and explain what it would cost.”
Two streets on the back side of the Riverwood neighborhood are already gated. One public access gate is in place on Riverwood Drive where it crosses a creek and another one is located on a street named River Place, near the residence of former Jackson Mayor Frank Melton.
There’s just one way in and one way out of the Riverwood neighborhood, which has about 65 homes, Browne said. “That makes the possibility of a gate more attractive,” he said.
