CRESCENT AVE TRAFFIC CALMING

On Sept. 7, 2011 the City Council voted 4 to 1 to spend approximately $350,000.00 on the Crescent Avenue improvement project. This project will include roundabouts, bike and center striping, crosswalks, attached bulb outs and ADA compliance curbs. I voted against this project and made a motion for a smaller project as follows:

1. Permit parking-this was not addressed in the approved project;
2. Center striping and bicycyle striping the length of the street-this was in the approved project;
3. Ten (10) detached bulb outs that were strategically placed on the street-this was not in the approved project; and
4. One roundabout.

The total cost of my proposal would be approximately $100,000.00.

I voted against the original project, and made the motion to reduce the project for the following reasons:

1. Too many other city streets need resurfacing. For example, the road directly in front of the city's fire station;
2. Too many potholes exist in city streets;
3. Too many streets do not have sidewalks and people (especially during the rainy season) must walk in the street. Examples: Reindollar, Carmel Ave, California, Marina Drive, Reservation Road.
4. There are road conditions that are dangerous in our city. The Windy Hill Park is located at the intersection of Beach and DeForest. There are NO traffic calming devices at that intersection. In fact, there is not even a sidewalk on one side nor a crosswalk from Beach to the park.
5. The improvements to Crescent were, at best, attempts to remove a problem that will most likely continue to exist.

a. Please note that the approved project does not include stop signs. This is in spite of the fact that the main purpose of the design is to reduce traffic speed.
b. The roundabouts do not assure that the "donuts" will not continue to be made in the street. I anticipate that a person who is speeding will simply speed around the roundabout and continue on his merry way. Especially in the late evening or early morning when there are no cars parked on the street.

Too much money is being applied to one project. This city must make decisions that are in the best interests of all of its residents. The need to correct the problems on Crescent Ave. are evident. The need to make improvements throughout the city to the streets and roads is even more evident.