Fairhope, Alabama
PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
During its May meeting, Mayor Kant told Pedestrian and Trails Committee members he wants to make it an "official" city committee appointed by the City Council rather than as now, "stuck under" the Planning Commission -- which is traditionally only a temporary arrangement.
He said he wanted the new committee to promote all forms of alternative transportation -- and to organize and evaluate the many sidewalk requests Public Works receives each year.
Kant: "Get with Jonathan (Smith) ... start working up bylaws, rules ... to promote not just bicycles and pedestrian ... all types."
[He called electric (golf) carts a "good thing" and hoped a federal grant will be approved for a trail up Hwy 98 (east side) to the Rock Creek neighborhood. Carts are now legal on all city streets (if properly licensed) -- after speed limits were adjusted in places. (Greeno Rd. excepted; it is a state highway)]
Kant praised former City Councilman, Roy White, who began advocating for sidewalks back in the 1980s.
"Roy walked all over town ... the one who kept the list ... so people can see where they are (on list)."
In recent years the city has been relying solely on federal/state grants, but he wants to go back to the old practice of budgeting to build "a mile of sidewalks every year."
"Help the city with requests for sidewalks ... evaluate the need on streets ... establish priorities."
The mayor envisioned bringing a "top ten list" to the city council every year, during the budgeting cycle.
"SAFE STREETS" INITIATIVE TOO
During the upcoming Comprehensive Growth Plan update, the new committee is to provide input and help "educate citizens" particularly concerning so-called Safe Streets (aka Complete Streets) -- especially along Fairhope Ave. all the way out to Hwy 181. Some council members have already been advocating for this as well.
[The mayor said people seem to understand the downtown street-striping plan better -- after explaining the main goal is to slow down traffic. A new segment of Church St, was recently completed: photo at right)]
Also, a grassy median is now being designed on Fairhope Ave. west of Greeno Rd. -- as well as crosswalks near Brown, Blue Island, Fairwood and Ingleside Streets.
A signalized crosswalk is to eventually be installed at the new BRATS station as well (adjacent Piggly Wiggly grocery).
Mid-block signalized crosswalks are planned for nearby Greeno Rd. as well -- intended to help senior citizens in particular, who may have difficulty negotiating turning cars at the regular intersections.
He said that studies show that two-thirds of citizens in the United State don't drive and many are wanting to move back to walkable towns. Kant: "Suburbs are the slums of the future."
OTHER PROJECTS ON HORIZON
He went on to mention some interesting new projects that are being proposed, that the committee could play a role in bringing about:
* Walking paths/trails on the recently purchased Dyas Triangle property -- possibly with a small parking area on the smaller (western) segment -- where there are no wetlands.
* Partnering with Auburn University on trails on property it owns out on Hwy 13 -- as well as their 800 acre research extension farm on Hwy 104.
* Partnering with Auburn on a new education facility (a "horticultural fishery") on Greeno Rd. at Volanta Ave. -- if Restore Act (BP oil spill fines) funds come through (requested by Auburn). New walking/bikng trails there to integrate with the city's sidewalk system.
MORE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT NEEDED
Kant: "I need someone carrying a torch all the time ... to get things done. It takes someone really staying after it."
He asked committee members to think about how many (new) members they will need (total of 5, 6, 7?) and whether they may reside outside the city. Including a city council member is not necessary, since that requirement could prove to be an impediment to forming the new committee, according to the mayor.
Kant said the city should find more ways to "encourage more citizen involvement ... someone who wants to do it ... to accomplish something ... not someone who just wants to go to the meetings."
Molly Peterson is the current committee chairman.
PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
 |
| Mayor Kant (left) |
He said he wanted the new committee to promote all forms of alternative transportation -- and to organize and evaluate the many sidewalk requests Public Works receives each year.
Kant: "Get with Jonathan (Smith) ... start working up bylaws, rules ... to promote not just bicycles and pedestrian ... all types."
[He called electric (golf) carts a "good thing" and hoped a federal grant will be approved for a trail up Hwy 98 (east side) to the Rock Creek neighborhood. Carts are now legal on all city streets (if properly licensed) -- after speed limits were adjusted in places. (Greeno Rd. excepted; it is a state highway)]Kant praised former City Councilman, Roy White, who began advocating for sidewalks back in the 1980s.
"Roy walked all over town ... the one who kept the list ... so people can see where they are (on list)."
In recent years the city has been relying solely on federal/state grants, but he wants to go back to the old practice of budgeting to build "a mile of sidewalks every year."
"Help the city with requests for sidewalks ... evaluate the need on streets ... establish priorities."
The mayor envisioned bringing a "top ten list" to the city council every year, during the budgeting cycle.
"SAFE STREETS" INITIATIVE TOO
During the upcoming Comprehensive Growth Plan update, the new committee is to provide input and help "educate citizens" particularly concerning so-called Safe Streets (aka Complete Streets) -- especially along Fairhope Ave. all the way out to Hwy 181. Some council members have already been advocating for this as well.
 |
| Church St. |
Also, a grassy median is now being designed on Fairhope Ave. west of Greeno Rd. -- as well as crosswalks near Brown, Blue Island, Fairwood and Ingleside Streets.
A signalized crosswalk is to eventually be installed at the new BRATS station as well (adjacent Piggly Wiggly grocery).
Mid-block signalized crosswalks are planned for nearby Greeno Rd. as well -- intended to help senior citizens in particular, who may have difficulty negotiating turning cars at the regular intersections.
He said that studies show that two-thirds of citizens in the United State don't drive and many are wanting to move back to walkable towns. Kant: "Suburbs are the slums of the future."
OTHER PROJECTS ON HORIZON
He went on to mention some interesting new projects that are being proposed, that the committee could play a role in bringing about:
* Walking paths/trails on the recently purchased Dyas Triangle property -- possibly with a small parking area on the smaller (western) segment -- where there are no wetlands.
* Partnering with Auburn University on trails on property it owns out on Hwy 13 -- as well as their 800 acre research extension farm on Hwy 104.
* Partnering with Auburn on a new education facility (a "horticultural fishery") on Greeno Rd. at Volanta Ave. -- if Restore Act (BP oil spill fines) funds come through (requested by Auburn). New walking/bikng trails there to integrate with the city's sidewalk system.
MORE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT NEEDED
 |
| Molly Peterson |
He asked committee members to think about how many (new) members they will need (total of 5, 6, 7?) and whether they may reside outside the city. Including a city council member is not necessary, since that requirement could prove to be an impediment to forming the new committee, according to the mayor.
Kant said the city should find more ways to "encourage more citizen involvement ... someone who wants to do it ... to accomplish something ... not someone who just wants to go to the meetings."
Molly Peterson is the current committee chairman.
Comments