Please accept this as comment on the proposed "Missing Link" Bike Path plans through central Madison.
I am submitting this on my own behalf. For contextual/ID purposes only, I am on the Urban Design Commission as an alternate member.
Below you will find comment submitted by John Coleman. I concur with his assessment, particularly the absurdity of fencing along any part of this trail. The last thing the city needs to do is create landscapes of fear by fencing a particular class of people in. For path users, and potential path users, a fence, of any height, will instill fear of being trapped in the event of an emergency. Many may well choose to never use the path for this reason alone.
From a design standpoint a fence creates metal clutter where nice, green landscaping would serve a better purpose.
There is simply no good reason for building a fence here or along any bike path anywhere. I am opposed to building a fence along the "Missing Link" bike trail.
Sincerely, Michael D. Barrett 2137 Sommers Ave. Madison WI, 53704 (608)245-1059
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]@mailhost.mad.ameritech.net Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 14:57:00 -0600 To: Missing Link Bike Path Update /petit <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: john-coleman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Missing Link Path, Public Comment opportunity
There is an opportunity to comment on the plans for the construction of the Missing Link bike path through central Madison. The city is moving quickly to a firmed-up plan so if your going to comment do it soon.
There was a public meeting February 26th where the City contracted design firm (Strand Associates) presented the preliminary design for the path.
Unfortunately I and apparently some others didn't know about that meeting and there was rather sparse attendance. I'll try to keep everyone on this list, and myself, better informed in the future.
Since then, I was able to get the graphics from that meeting and have posted them on the Missing Link web site <http://www.lic.wisc.edu/bike.htm> . I also met with the design team and have come away with same observations and suggestions about the current plan. They are listed below and are most understandable if you look at the design maps and figures on the web site.
Please visit the web site and take a look at the current plans. If you have comments send them to the city planner in charge ( Toni Fernandez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ) and the lead at Strand ( Matthew Yentz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ).
My observations below are based on the plans as presented at the public meeting of February 26th, 2004. The proposal in general looks great and implements the essentials of a major bike/pedestrian artery through central Madison. That being said, here are some specific comments.
--Capacity in western third:The capacity, i.e. width, of the path, in its western third may be inadequate given the current heavy pedestrian use of the corridor. The path is proposed to be 10 to 11 feet wide in this area. The width is constrained by the space available and the need to construct retaining walls in some sections but every effort should be made to maximize the width. Could the University be convinced to donate a few feet of right-of-way in the Orchard to Charter Block where they own property on the south side of the proposed path (see http://www.lic.wisc.edu/users/jsc/bike/pics/PhaseA-Maps.htm). Now is the time to obtain adequate width since construction of retaining walls will limit the city's ability to widen the path in the future.
--Fencing should be kept to a minimum: Chain link fence may be necessary in some sections where the path is in the rail right-of-way but fencing in the eastern half of the path should be avoided. As currently mapped, the path shows fence along its entire length. Fencing should be avoided where the path is entirely within the city owned right-of-way. Fencing, particularly chain link, is ugly and produces a "fenced out" or "prison" atmosphere. Fence has not been used anywhere between the Isthmus Bike Path and the rail tracks (east of the Capital) and I have never heard of any bike-train conflicts there.
--Access at Park and Murray Streets: Park Street is a major transportation artery and needs to have a connection to the path. A connection either on the west or east side of Park St. should be as direct as possible and not require detouring by cyclists and pedestrians. The Murray Street underpass is a major pedestrian route, particularly during events at the Kohl Center. Adequate capacity must be designed into the link between the path and Murray Street underpass. I suggest that there be connection from Murray Street to the path in both the west and east direction. The University owns 10 to 15 feet of unused right-of-way adjacent to the "Stovall Building" just to the west of Murray Street. That additional space should be used, if needed, for construction of a west bound connection to the path. To the east the city owns 50 feet of right-of-way that can be used for construction of an east bound connection.
--Trees: Existing trees and vegetation should be retained to the extent possible. Trees take many years to develop yet minutes to destroy. The two large cottonwood trees next to Park Street should be retained if at all possible and provided with protection during construction of the path. These two trees are 50 to 75 years old and could not be replaced in any meaningful way.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
John Coleman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 608-256-8164
413 S. Dickinson St. Madison, WI 53703
Visit the "Bike Page"<http://www.lic.wisc.edu/bike.htm>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
