Is anyone aware of any new developments in getting the end of Mifflin St. opened again for biking--between the Yahara River path and the "bike boulevard" on Mifflin? See earlier discussion. I continue to note the Jersey barriers still in place. Did Susan Schmitz ever do anything about it?
On Mon, Jul 6, 2015 at 11:45 AM, Mark Shahan <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 >>>> >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Bikies mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org >>> >>> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > > -- Earlier this year I was fined $1221 by the city for having wildflowers in my terrace and a burning bush in my yard. My trial occurred more than three months after the city council unanimously approved the "Pollinator Protection Task Force" report which seeks to protect pollinators--bees, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, etc., and preserve pollinator habitat But the city's Building Inspection Division didn't get the "memo" and continues to order pollinator habitat removed and prosecutes people who don't comply. If you feel the ordinances on the books should be amended, sign my petition: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/revise-ordinances-banning-flowers-in-yards-and-terrace
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