A Message for the Complete Streets Committee

No one has been more critical of the Complete Streets program then I have. I can assure you it is not because I don’t believe there should be changes made to Main Street and it is not because I feel it isn’t important to make improvements to Main Street. It is because of the process in which these changes and improvements have been thrust on our community and on those who make a living working in our downtown. I still feel the time frame the city is required to adhere to is abbreviated to the point that we are not able to fully analyze the impact the design elements will have.

Despite my strong concerns, I believe this committee has worked diligently to gather information and listen to varying points of view from a very diverse group of residents and business owners. So as you work to deliver your recommendations to the city council some thoughts.

I don’t believe that I’m exaggerating when I state that your recommendations to the city council, if adopted, will impact peoples lives and livelihoods. Your responsibility - as charged by the city council -  is to make recommendations regarding the following objectives:

• Main Street’s underground infrastructure is analyzed and upgraded 
• Main Street’s above ground infrastructure (i.e. street furniture, lighting, trees) are analyzed and upgraded in a manner that considers operations and future costs 
• Vehicular, bicyclist and pedestrian safety concerns are addressed 
•  Main Street’s livability and economic development potential is enhanced as measured by indices such as property values, improved commercial/office tenancy, additional market rate housing, and increased retail/restaurant customers 
• Main Street is able to consistently thrive over time as we make decisions that meet the environmental, social, and economic challenges and opportunities that the future will present.

I believe there are two overriding factors that should be used as a gauge as you assemble your recommendations. First does it improve the economic vitality of the downtown. And second - unless you want to recommend changing the commercial make up of our downtown - what impact will your recommendations have on businesses that currently occupy our downtown. For those elements you can’t answer these two questions, then you should avoid making recommendations to the council for those elements.

I would urge you that when making your recommendations that whenever possible the door is left open to be able to make adjustments to the streetscape elements. Particularly traffic and parking patterns. We all know from past experiences that all too often projects the city has undertaken have needed to be revisited. And at times at a considerable cost.

I urge you to be cognizant of the real concerns our downtown merchants have, not only regarding the streetscape elements, but also the disruptions construction will bring to our downtown. 

Each and everyone of the elements described in the Complete Streets grant needs to be carefully thought out and planned before one shovelful of dirt is turned over. This obviously includes the streetscape elements, but it should also include all the elements that are essential to keeping our downtown economically viable throughout the construction process. Construction updates, 24 hour contact person, downtown promotions that target all the diverse demographics of our city.

Wherever possible I would urge you to recommend to the city council that they test drive new streetscape elements and construction changes to parking and traffic patterns before the start of the project in mid-September 2013.

And again it is in your charge to look to the future. 

Main Street is able to consistently thrive over time as we make decisions that meet the environmental, social, and economic challenges and opportunities that the future will present.

With that in mind I will again urge you when making your recommendations to allow for design changes in the future to meet the changing needs of our downtown during the next 50 years. 

You are involved in serious business here. And while one group may want one way traffic and another bike lanes and sidewalks to replace parking and yet another wants our crosswalks to use cobblestone  pavers and granite edging, the bottom line here is how does it effect the economic viability of our downtown. Because if our downtown cannot be an economic engine for our city and if our downtown can’t attract a diverse group of our city’s residents that will add to the livability of our downtown then we have wasted a great deal of money and in all likelihood created economic hardships for those who generate between 12.5 to 25 percent of the city’s total tax base.

So while you forge ahead it is my hope that you will use this committee to express not only the design elements and positive outcomes you believe this project can have, but I am also asking that you use the voice of this committee to inform the city council of the real concerns many of us have regarding the potential harm this project can have if not executed wisely.