Some comments about the proposed 40th Street Greenway: - A little background - This project was conceived as an extension of the recreational bike paths that ring South Minneapolis; however it's neither a true "greenway" (car-free bike path) nor a primary bike commuter route. Its main purpose is to link existing green spaces and features that occur along 40th Street in a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly manner: (from West to East) Lake Harriet, Martin Luther King Park, the pedestrian bridge across I35W, Phelps Park, Sibley Park and the Mississippi River.
- The 40th Street Greenway is not a "done deal" by any means. In 2000 a series of community input meetings were held to get residents' reactions to some of the proposed designs. I attended several of these... many people in the Bancroft neighborhood expressed support for the one-way street and the traffic calming features. I didn't go to any of the Standish-Eriksson meetings but I understand there are concerns about traffic flow around Roosevelt High School. The Kingfield neighborhood has already started to implement its end of the design. Each neighborhood may decide whether they want to participate in the Greenway project, how it will take shape, and how the project will be funded, in coordination with the other neighborhoods along the route. In the Bancroft neighborhood it is still in the proposal phase, so now is a good time to voice concerns about the safety of the design. - One-way streets do pose something of a hazard to two-way bikes and pedestrians. There will need to be a special effort on cross streets to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians and cyclists... having a street that looks quite unlike the other cross streets can help accomplish this. While it's helpful to compare similar designs in Dinkytown and the Wedge, it's also important to remember these neighborhoods are a lot busier and higher in density than Bancroft. - Even if the Greenway is developed, I'm guessing many high-speed cyclists will probably still choose 38th Street as the East-West commuting route, because it is flat and has the right-of-way. On the other hand, relocation of the I35W entrance ramps to 38th Street could have an adverse affect on its use as a bike commuter route, and move heavier bike traffic to the Greenway. - I hope those who are interested in the progress of the 40th Street Greenway, and the potential impact of a one-way street between Chicago and Cedar Avenues, will take some time to communicate their ideas to the Bancroft Neighborhood Association, 724-5313, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Holle Brian Bancroft (612) 822-6593 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
