The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the impact of the opening of the LRT line after 6 weeks of operation on neighbors of the 46th St. stop. Sixty-two people and three dogs attended the meeting.
Since LRT problems have been discussed so prominently on this list, I thought people might find it interesting to see what a group of immediate neighbors have to say.
People brainstormed and then voted on their top concerns and top solutions.
vote results are listed after the ideas.
Top 5 Concerns from residents:
* Left turn traffic off 46th St. onto Hiawatha (22 votes) * 46th St. pedestrian crossing (20 votes) * The [traffic] lights (17 votes) * Can't get on train (over-full) for events [downtown] (8 votes) * Traffic moving to side streets and Minnehaha Ave. (8 votes)
Top 5 Suggestions for Improvement from residents:
* Make double turn lane on 46th turning south on Hiawatha (28 votes) * Traffic cop helping left turn on Hiawatha off 46th St. (17 votes) * Pedestrian bridge over Hiawatha (15 votes) * Right turn only from Walgreen's (15 votes) * Let left take left [from 46th St.] when LRT arms are down (14 votes)
All Concerns from residents:
* Parking (designated areas) 4 * Ruined Hiawatha for driving 4 * Traffic 2 * Left turn traffic onto Hiawatha 22 * 42nd & 46th traffic 4 * Only one kiosk (long line to get tickets) 8 * Taxes if ridership isn't high enough 2 * The light 17 * Not enough garbage cans and maps at stations * Change box in kiosk is too low * Traffic moving to side streets and Minnehaha 8 * Pedestrian crossing alternate at Hiawatha & 46th 3 * Better job educating on bus/train connection * Emergency vehicles when "arm" is down 1 * Train too crowded at rush hour (single trains) 2 * 38th Street station area - angry "signs" - don't park here * 46th St. pedestrian crossing 20 * Crime 1 * Narrowed lanes west on 46th St. due to increased parking * Alternate routes are getting crowded, congested 2 * Increased commute time when driving 6 * Railings at station 2 * More benches 3 * Length of time to resolve traffic problems 3 * Busses on 46th St. is a bad thing 1 * Honesty from public officials 1 * Timing of bus schedules on 46th St. 5 * Can't extend line fast enough to mall and airport * No drop-off/pick-up for local daycares * Can't get on train (over full) for events 8 * Audible message not always working (on which side to board train) * Transfers have lengthened commute * Not winterized 4 * On 50th - need time countdown on walk sign (like 46th St.) 3
All Suggestions for Improvement from residents:
* Time lights better with LRT 13
* Parkboard open up Parkway - gate 2
* Let left take left when LRT arms are down 14
* When arms are down, let traffic move east on 46th St. 4
* Make double turn lane on 46th turning south on Hiawatha 28
* Arms where pedestrians cross at station 1
* Allow left turn onto Hiawatha from 35th St. 1
* Pedestrian bridge over Hiawatha 15
* Right turn only from Walgreen's 7
* Right turn only from Holiday 15
* A bridge for Hiawatha at 46th St.
* More enforcement of tickets
* Optional free permit parking for blocks impacted by commuters 2
* Better lighting
* Add cars to LRT during events downtown 6
* Keep alternate routes open 1
* More ticket booths 2
* Move towards pedestrian oriented development 3
* Traffic cop helping left turns off 46th south on Hiawatha during rush hour 17
* Visible public parking signs when there's public parking 1
* Do not put in developments that increase congestion 7
* Add longer-term public parking 4
* More police patrolling station 3
* Put a stop in at Northwest Airlines 3
* Park 'n rides with shuttle 5
* People mover
* Time LRT arms better 1
Note: at 46th St. the LRT station is on the west side of Hiawatha Ave., and the Hiawatha neighborhood is on the east side of Hiawatha Ave.. So far the only block being impacted seriously by LRT commuter parking in the Hiawatha neighborhood is the 4500 block of Snelling. This is why the parking issue is much further down the list of concerns than you might expect, and lower than it would likely be if a similar meeting were done with the 46th street neighbors on the west side of Hiawatha Ave.
A great deal of print ink has been given the to pickup in business for restaurants along the LRT line. When we did our doorknocking for the meeting, Walgreens and a few other stores at 46th said that business had gone down, because people were refusing to pull into the parking lot with all the congestion.
The Longfellow Community Council will be doing similar meetings with 38th St. and Lake St. neighbors living east of Hiawatha over the next few weeks.
Jay Clark Cooper
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