Where wide bridges carry Eddy and Sample streets over the St. Joseph River and Lincolnway, it looks and feels like an interstate exchange in the heart of the city. There’s a freeway-like cloverleaf with ramps and big green signs with arrows pointing to other places.

…

Worse than useless, Kain says the interchange divided neighborhoods, leading to continued racial segregation and redlining by mortgage lenders. It’s a scenario that played out across the nation when interstate highways were run through inner city neighborhoods.

The city is calling the area the Market District because of the nearby Farmers Market. With the help of research by Notre Dame architecture students, the city last year won a $2.4 million grant, and is adding $600,000 in city money, to hire a consultant. You’ll soon see their surveyors out taking photos, for a study of how streets in the area might be reconfigured if the ramps are removed.

…

The city invites the public to an informational meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Howard Park Event Center.