MyWHaT

Monday night’s study session included the revealing of the potential new design elements for the 2010 reconstruction of 8th Street, as well an update on the planning commission’s review of the 2010 street projects. The following day, the Record Eagle ran a misrepresentation of the issue titled, “Compromise reached on Eighth Street” that portrayed the issue over, leaving everyone happy, happy, happy…lithium doses anyone?

Who compromised with whom? The city and MDOT? MDOT and FHWA? The city and FHWA? The city and the neighborhoods?

From this vantage point, it appears that the city only achieved to further compromise & postpone implementing the values of those it represents. Those values are expressed in the last two master plans, the Grand Vision and countless neighborhood association meetings calling for traffic calming & livability improvements. And, yes, bike lanes.

But, apparently, those are not to be taken too seriously. As commissioner Mike Gillman made clear, “the master plan is not a religion. Priorities are priorities, not something we do just because we have this magic book to tell us what to do.”

Defining priorities

The majority of the current city commission do not grasp the priorities. They appear content on mediocrity and hodgepodging together maintenance projects to fulfill the status quo of moving & parking motorized vehicles. The city is spending over $1 million this year on street repair. A substantial amount that may or may not be spent annually in the coming years. On the 8th Street project, the city is spending roughly $400 thousand of its own money. Isn’t this a perfect opportunity to design it right?

No one was arguing to not complete the 8th Street project. It is primarily a sewer project that is apparently long overdue. The leadership of the city should have been more assertive in calming fears of residents & business owners along 8th street, while at the same time being more clear in giving staff the direction and language they wanted used to represent the community’s position regarding amending the original design.

They acquiesced. And, it appears they have failed.

The best traffic calming device remains people (and beagles). Our goal is to design a city that treats each street as a potential pedestrian and bicycle corridor.  How do we get the city to understand that this needs to be their goal as well?

People of all types are already using 8th Street as means for active transportation and many people have expressed that they would use it more if the infrastructure was provided. There isn’t a need for a network map to figure that out. Current design and engineering is still stuck in the mode of providing for the current function–not taking the reins and risks to build what we envision for the city. Hence, the chatter and scratching of heads at the governmental center (and the Vic McCarty show) around the question of “Where are these bicyclists? I don’t see them on 8th Street.“

If they could just get out of their cars and SUVs, they might.

We can help them see

I’ve been riding (and walking) 8th Street a lot since this blew up. I have to say, it hasn’t been that bad. For the most part, automobile drivers have been courteous, despite going 10-15 mph over the speed limit. It’s not a pleasure cruise, mind you, but it certainly allows me a direct, convenient route across town.

This corridor, from Garfield Ave. to Lake St., has a lot of potential. We’ve failed to grasp the opportunity this year, but those of us who envision a different 8th Street need to keep reminding the city staff and city commission (whoever is serving) that we want this debate. It’s a city street, running through a mixed use neighborhood. It CAN be designed to maintain current flows while encouraging more active transportation.

We can do this best by using it. Will you take a pledge with me?

I PLEDGE to bike or walk along 8th Street when possible & when I drive it, to be a pace car going 25MPH or less.

FYI: If you want someone to ride with on 8th St., let me know. Either myself or someone near can be there.

• Action Alert: Call to support allocation of $2 billion in competitive grants for Active Transportation •

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