I wasn't commenting on the desirability of the blockade at the end of
Mifflin Street. I realize it is a pain in the butt. Tim was asking if this
had been discussed before on Bikies which was the question I was answering.
Another approach to this problem is to recognize that the Mulllins
Group's property will probably be redeveloped in the future. When it does,
granting of a permanent easement for peds and bikes should be a condition
for approval. Better yet, the City should reclaim the right of way by
purchase if necessary.
Mark N. Shahan
On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 9:14 PM, Mary Ebeling <[email protected]> wrote:
> Yes, I think most of us have been around to read earlier versions of the
> "what's the deal with this block of E. Mifflin St.?" conversation. This has
> been a thorn in the side of Isthmus cyclists for years. The Mullins Group,
> which owns the property, has not wanted to participate in supporting
> cycling through this E. Mifflin stub for years, resulting in a pretty silly
> detour of the bike boulevard onto Dayton St several years ago. The recent
> baracading of the end of the street with Jersey barriars and fencing is
> just the latest, and most serious attempt to keep bikers and walkers off
> the block of the street.
>
> Yes, the street is now privately owned, most of us know that. However,
> this block forms a natural connection to the Yahara path and hundreds of
> cyclists and pedestrians use this connection daily, year round. Mullins
> Group is also on the board of Downtown Madison Inc., and therefore should
> be working towards that groups long term goals, one of which is improving
> quality of life. For reference, DMI's website contains this statement:
>
> "DMI continues to work with City of Madison staff, local officials, the
> bicycle industry and bike advocates on policies, projects and plans that
> enhance bicycle transportation and infrastructure in and through downtown
> Madison. Issues and initiatives have included supporting bicycle
> infrastructure projects, preparing the City of Madison Platinum Bike
> Designation
> <http://www.cityofmadison.com/bikeMadison/about/platinumBiking.cfm>
> application, advocating for timely and adequate winter bike-way snow
> removal and promoting bicycling resources and events."
>
> I recently met with Susan Schmitz, DMI's director at the property to
> discuss the situation. As a year-round cyclist, she agreed this did not
> make much sense and she was planning to discuss this with Mullins. I have
> not heard back, although it hasn't been that long sinced we met.
>
> I am also aware that there is construction going on there right now.
> However there is always construction going on there. The building on the
> property is in pretty iffy shape and there is lots of work being done on it
> any given year.
>
> Simply put, Mullins is not being a good neighbor and at the very least,
> they should be called out on that. For now, I'll continue cutting through
> the back of the old Carl N John's Paddling and biking down that block of E
> Mifflin St. From the tracks in the grass in the morning, it is clear I am
> not the only one chosing this option.
>
>
> Mary Ebeling
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 11:57 AM, Mark Shahan <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Tim,
>>
>> This has been on Bikies before. The last time was March 19, 2013, and
>> you participated in the thread. The section of "Mifflin" blocked off from
>> the Yahara River Path is private property now. The City vacated the right
>> of way in 1903.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 2:17 AM, tim wong <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Does anyone know what's up with the Jersey barriers and fences keeping
>>> bicyclists and pedestrians (as well as motorists who have always been
>>> blocked) from getting through at the end of the property at what would be
>>> the end of Mifflin Street onto the Yahara River path? In a seemingly
>>> passive-aggressive move some entity has consistently placed huge boulders
>>> to block passage by bicycles. As we moved the easier ones away, they would
>>> be put back in place.
>>>
>>> So, what the hell? This building houses a lot of state employees.
>>> Shouldn't they have access to the property from all directions? There is a
>>> parking lot across Dickinson from the building that is blocked with Jersey
>>> barriers. Is this transportational discrimination?
>>>
>>> A sign at the entrance at Dickinson says it is a "private space" and
>>> bicyclists should go use the bike route. Unstated is that the bike "route"
>>> goes up the hill to Dayton and back down to Thornton. I have used it
>>> several times when I didn't feel like going around the boulders and found
>>> it to be very icy at times in the winter.
>>>
>>> Why is this a "private space?" Why hasn't the city, over all the years,
>>> managed to get an easement? Why can't we use eminent domain to seize this
>>> property from the multimillionaires, Jerome and Carol Mullins? And why is
>>> the assessment on this entire property only $8000? The land itself is
>>> assessed at $1,862,000, a number that didn't change from 2014 to 2015. Has
>>> some corrupt city bigwig hatched some sweet deal with these notorious
>>> slumlords?
>>>
>>> I remember some chatter on bikies about ten years ago when I asked why
>>> this wasn't marked as the bike path, instead of being directed to use that
>>> idiotic detour on Dickinson and Dayton, but can't remember the upshot of it
>>> . . . . sort of forgot as long as we could still navigate around Mullins'
>>> boulders. But these Jersey barriers are going a little far. Why is the
>>> city not doing something about this?
>>>
>>> If someone knows more (or if this has already been on bikies, and I
>>> missed it), let me know what I missed. Thanks.
>>>
>>> *I realize Mifflin starts up again after First St., but I meant this
>>> section of Mifflin.
>>>
>>> --
>>> "If we continue to consume the world until there's no more to consume,
>>> then there's going to come a day, sure as hell, when our children or their
>>> children or their children's children are going to look back on us--on you
>>> and me--and say to themselves, 'My God, what kind of monsters were these
>>> people?'"
>>>
>>> --Daniel Quinn
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Bikies mailing list
>>> [email protected]
>>> http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
>>>
>>>
>>
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>>
>
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