Fairhope, Alabama
CRITIQUES CITY'S PROGRESS
Dan Burden, the nationally recognized expert for making communities more walkable/bikeable, returned to answer questions about Fairhope's ongoing street-striping project and related matters.
Burden said he was "very impressed" with the progress since his last visit and asked for comments from city staff and interested citizens to "see what needs tweaking."
Burden observed that the more narrowly striped traffic lanes seem to have slowed traffic down, as was hoped for.
HIGHER PUBLIC AWARENESS NEEDED
Construction Supervisor Eslava said he was getting a lot of questions from the public and thought an educational component was needed to better inform the pubic of what they were doing.
Eslava: "The cultural change (to better walkability) is happening ... the complaints are few ... the questions many."
Councilmember Quinn agreed: "... most of the comments I've been getting ... people don't understand what we're doing ... ."
Public Works Director Fidler said she has heard some "heated" comments from citizens as well, particularly concerning sections of Bancroft Ave.
Fidler: "... it takes education ... talking with them ... an education component that people need to see and hear ... and understand ... ."
Mayor Kant compared the situation to when islands (road constrictors/flower beds) were installed along west Fairhope Ave. heading down to the bay several years ago.
Kant: "... when you get down to it ... our biggest challenge is ... its something different ... people don't like change."
Kant said they were having problems with the painting contractor performing in a timely manner; but he was "hoping now we have a handle on it ... going to get everything done ... ."
Smart Coast co-founder Charlene Lee said her organization is currently working (with the city) on press releases designed to raise the public's awareness about the project's purposes and goals.
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| Eslava, Burden, Fidler |
CRITIQUES CITY'S PROGRESS
Dan Burden, the nationally recognized expert for making communities more walkable/bikeable, returned to answer questions about Fairhope's ongoing street-striping project and related matters.
Burden said he was "very impressed" with the progress since his last visit and asked for comments from city staff and interested citizens to "see what needs tweaking."
Burden observed that the more narrowly striped traffic lanes seem to have slowed traffic down, as was hoped for.
HIGHER PUBLIC AWARENESS NEEDED
Construction Supervisor Eslava said he was getting a lot of questions from the public and thought an educational component was needed to better inform the pubic of what they were doing.
Eslava: "The cultural change (to better walkability) is happening ... the complaints are few ... the questions many."
Councilmember Quinn agreed: "... most of the comments I've been getting ... people don't understand what we're doing ... ."
Public Works Director Fidler said she has heard some "heated" comments from citizens as well, particularly concerning sections of Bancroft Ave.
Fidler: "... it takes education ... talking with them ... an education component that people need to see and hear ... and understand ... ."
Mayor Kant compared the situation to when islands (road constrictors/flower beds) were installed along west Fairhope Ave. heading down to the bay several years ago.
Kant: "... when you get down to it ... our biggest challenge is ... its something different ... people don't like change."
Kant said they were having problems with the painting contractor performing in a timely manner; but he was "hoping now we have a handle on it ... going to get everything done ... ."
Smart Coast co-founder Charlene Lee said her organization is currently working (with the city) on press releases designed to raise the public's awareness about the project's purposes and goals.
Comments
Are they taking out the turn lane at Section and Magnolia?
Bancroft is too narrow...the intersection at Magnolia and Fairhope Ave just looks weird. Why would they make that handicapped parking on Magnolia?