BLOOMINGTON - Safety for a growing number of patients and beautification of a city block are reasons why Gailey Eye Clinic is asking the city of Bloomington to close one block of the street between the clinic and its parking lot.

But Ward 7 Alderman Steven Purcell said Thursday that he is concerned that closing one block of Scott Street between Center and Main streets would limit access to Main Street by neighborhood residents who live west of the clinic.

"I take closing of streets very seriously," Purcell said. He said there will be "more discussion" when the plan goes to the City Council Nov. 10.

Gailey's proposal to close Scott Street and to turn that area into handicapped-accessible parking for Gailey patients was recommended in a 6-2 vote last week by the Bloomington Planning Commission.

Gailey doctors and staff are concerned about the safety of patients crossing Scott Street, a mostly brick street between the clinic and its parking lot, said Dr. Robert Lee, an ophthalmologist and president of the board of directors of Gailey, 1008 N. Main St. Many patients are elderly, all have vision issues, and some use wheelchairs, walkers and canes, he said.

The number of patients has grown since Gailey completed its building expansion in July, prompted in part by the addition of a retina program, Lee said.

"We are now seeing 3,000 patients a month," Lee said. Gailey Administrator Tom Restivo said most drivers using the Scott Street block are patients entering and exiting the Gailey lot.

In addition to easier access to the building and better handicapped-accessible parking, Gailey's plan calls for adding a patient drop-off area and renovating and landscaping the parking lot to create a campus-like setting connecting the lot to the Gailey building, Restivo said.

If the council approves, Restivo hopes that work can begin in spring 2009 and be done by summer's end.

Purcell, however, said he's heard from neighborhood residents concerned about reduced access to Main Street and increased traffic on nearby east-west side streets. "Those streets are important to the neighborhood."