Actually, this is limited context. It is a very good presentation of existing projects and some plans for crosswalk upgrades. They are great low-hanging fruit.
Most intriguing is the note regarding the Mall redevelopment by RLF…”when” not “if.” The work done in 2010 is now being undone by the water main project. That means the investment we made that was suppose to last 20+ years is now in need of a major re-do. Do we know if there are any other water projects being planned? Isn’t all the infrastructure of a similar age? What is still lacking is the explicit information telling us what exists in terms of challenges, separate from finances-roadway widths, private vs municipal land, topographic details, and, finally, the role MMNHP will play in any work in N. Lincoln at the Transfer Station. All this would be helpful in responding to a survey to assist future planing. > On Oct 10, 2025, at 4:04 PM, John Mendelson <[email protected]> wrote: > > The survey was sent out multiple times, in multiple formats (email, physical > mailing, etc) alongside invitations to the public forums and with the current > Transportation Coalition 5-year plan attached. Kim Bodnar sent a link > earlier today to the survey (open until 10/13), public forum recording, and > TC 5-year plan. You can find a link to the 5-year plan here which includes a > lot of context both in terms of cost benchmarking and priorities as shaped by > the TC thus far here: > > https://www.lincolntown.org/DocumentCenter/View/104713/2025-30-09-Public-Meeting_FINAL?bidId= > > > > On Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> I had promised a more complete analysis, with specifics, later. >> In the meantime, I will offer some general comments, from 50,000 ft. >> Before we engage in any wishful thinking that sets up expectations , only to >> the them dashed and alienate folks, we need to begin with some baseline data. >> We need to understand what are real constraints to our future dreams. >> Some are legal, some are geographically, some involved topography. >> That is well before we discuss financial constraints, or lack thereof. >> >> Sidewalks/Roadside Paths: >> This is a decades old matter…many have grappled with it before, with some >> progress made. >> Before anyone begins a discussion about WHERE they would like to see more, >> they need to know where opportunities might exist, and where they can never >> exist. >> Past constraints - >> 1)Many of the constraints have to do with private property -land needed for >> a path would require the acquisition of private land. Some property owners >> may not be willing, wither for pay or as a gift, be willing to allow the >> construction of a path across their land. Would Lincoln then do a hostile >> taking ? >> 2) Another constraint is topography- whether the land is public or private, >> existing topography-rock ledge, wetlands, slope, road width-some spots, due >> to topography do not lend themselves to the creation of paths. >> >> It would be instructive for all to se a map of all roads in town that >> included a color coded overlay-how much land on either side of a road is >> public vs private, where topography is problematic, and road widths. >> Publication of such a map would allow those invite to answer with some >> education to then engage. >> Maybe someone will see something others have not-it’s worth a shot. >> But let not assume none before have grappled with the and there are not >> serious challenges before us-and tht is not even discussing expense. >> >> Bike Lanes: >> Again, a map to guide creative thinking should show current road system, >> with road widths and potentials for the SAFE creation of bike lanes. >> Remember, major thoroughfares need to accommodate Public Safety vehicles too. >> >> Crosswalks: >> Creating accessibility is a no-brainer, in most cases. >> But, it is a case-by-case review that will require careful design to assure >> it is truly safe. >> Crosswalks, in general- >> Research (at one time, shared with the town) has shown that poorly done >> crosswalks endanger lives. They reassure pedestrians while being >> “invisible” to drivers, especially, distracted drivers. >> Cross walks require specific sight-lines -that is influenced (again) by >> topography. >> >> So, a map of the road system could be coded to demonstrate where crosswalks >> could and should go. >> Why would you want to invite a citizen to invest is a dream that cannot be >> achieved. >> Let’s look at that can, and should be done, and prioritize. >> >> Long before these roads were car-centric, they were cow- and wagon- and >> cart-centric. >> Some may even predate colonial incursions. >> >> Most of our roads were existing as unpaved ways, then gravel, and then paved. >> In some cases, widths never changed. >> Kerry Glass and Betty Little did extensive work on mapping Lincoln’s roads, >> in addition to wiring about the history of the creation of the roads system. >> >> You can see how little has changed..and there was a reason. >> Private property and topography dictated much then as it does now. >> >> This not to say we shouldn’t continue to wrestle with these issues. >> We should. >> Just because past generations did not find solutions doesn’t;t mean others >> cannot. >> But we should approach it with some background understanding…a survey a form >> of voting. >> Shouldn’t voters expect some degree of education before going into the >> voting booth? >> >> Keeping challenging the status quo, but with seem backgournd to inform that >> challenge. >> >> As to specific critiques of the questions, I will need to download the >> survey and go through it, line by line. >> >> >> >>> On Oct 10, 2025, at 10:11 AM, Nick Gardner <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> I'm still confused about what the bias here is. Is it just bias towards >>> pedestrians and bicyclists, as opposed to the decades of inherent bias in >>> favor of cars? Lincoln has many roads that have no sidewalks, bike lanes, >>> or accessible crosswalks, so it makes sense to focus survey efforts on >>> these clear issues to me. >>> >>> -Nick >>> >>> On Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 10:02 AM Sara Mattes <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> This survey creates a rationale for concrete proposals, created from >>>> leading questions and bias, intended or not. >>>> It creates momentum and expectations. >>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>> >>>>> On Oct 10, 2025, at 9:58 AM, Nick Gardner <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I don't think hiring consultants for basic early stage surveys like this >>>>> is a good use of money. The survey seems perfectly fine for the task, >>>>> which is identifying resident priorities and identifying possible >>>>> projects. Consultants make more sense when there are actual concrete >>>>> proposals on the table. >>>>> >>>>> -Nick Gardner >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 8:04 AM Sara Mattes <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>> Certainly. >>>>>> Later today. >>>>>> In the future, Lincoln voters and taxpayers would benefit from employing >>>>>> professionals in constructing important surveys that in involve major >>>>>> policy, zoning and fiscal matters. >>>>>> We have budgeted for consultants and professionals in the recent past. >>>>>> I would urge us to continue in matters such as these. >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Oct 9, 2025, at 7:54 AM, Rich Rosenbaum <[email protected] >>>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sara, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Can you be more specific? And indicate how you would change the survey >>>>>>> to be less biased? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wed, Oct 8, 2025 at 4:42 PM Sara >>>>>>> Mattes <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> OK-Can you now address the matter of leading questions and inherent >>>>>>>> bias? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>> >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>
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