The apparent disparity of opinion on this would suggest the benefit of a referendum to the voters, which is, mostly, what people in opposition are asking for. No worries if, as you say, most people are in support. It would be a shame to ignore the request for democratic input on a project of such magnitude, notwithstanding all the forums you said were conducted. A real vote now that more and more facts are assembled shouldn't be anything to fear.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
I just sent this to the below link
I live directly on Central Ave near the Carlisle interchange. Over the last several years, traffic volume and speed continues to increase on Central as more and more drivers use this avenue as a high speed thoroughfare. I have witnessed many street races and countless near misses with pedestrians. ART is an excellent opportunity to change this behavior on Central.
By widening all sidewalks, slowing the speed limits, making access to the area easier we will inspire regrowth back into the Nob Hill area. Families coming down on Sunday's for breakfast, strolling along the sidewalks sheltered by trees. Businesses with seating along the sidewalk makes me think of European cafe's where friends meet and talk.
There is no change to the number of trees in the area and an increase in overall parking with the Silver realignment. The project does not increase any costs to businesses or residents in the area.
It also provides a much needed increase in low cost transportation to an already overloaded bus system. The current system is at capacity and I have seen bike riders not allowed on the bus due to overcrowding.
The project also provided much needed budget to clean along Central and provide street light repairs. There is no current maintaince crew for street light repairs. Twice per day, cleaning crews are already budged to maintain all stops along Central from end to end.
There are many empty store fronts as more and more shops move out of the area. We must make changes that are supported by several studies of the area. Staples recently closed leaving zero big box retailers. Nob Hill needs large retailers to bring more shoppers and improve our occupancy rates.
I have talked to many people that live in this area and a large majority approve of this project and look forward to the improvements.
I attended multiple pre submittal meetings and do not agree that this effort was ramrodded down our throats. Multiple meetings discussed various options and the current plans include many of the suggestions provided by residents in the Nob Hill area.
This effort should move forward as rapidly as possible. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again while expecting different results. We cannot afford to keep Central as it is now. This only leads to depressed property values in the area and more vacant store fronts.
Damian Donckels.
From: Anderson Robert via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm@mailman.swcp.com>
To: "neighbors@nobhill-nm.com Hill" <neighbors@nobhill-nm.com>
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 7:55 PM
Subject: [Neighbors] ART and city council contact
You can send a message to the city councilors at this page:
I just sent this message to all the council:
As more and more people learn what is in the details of this
ART more and more opposition is building and a large number of people in the
city would like for you as a city council to withdraw support for this plan and
let's work on it better.
We need some sort of modern, not legacy type ART. This plan has many defects and one big
problem was slipped in without any consideration of the negative impacts was
the using Lead/Coal/Zuni as surrogates for the traffic forced off Central with
the design of the plan.
In short most people were not aware this was hidden in the
plan. People are realizing there will be
large negative impacts on communities along Lead/Coal/Zuni that already have
huge problems with traffic that is unmitigated.
The negative impact of this ART has not been evaluated
adequately. For one it will involve a
large loss of property values for stable, community homes with families along
these streets. We will see an out
migration of the very kind of families we wish to attract to these areas. There might be lawsuits based on loss of
property values as the traffic increases with all its secondary problems on the
north/south streets along Lead/Coal/Zuni due to increase traffic.
The ART plan in a slight of hand tone says that Lead/Coal
and by way of that Zuni also, are under utilized. This is code for turning these present
problem streets cutting through our communities into major problems.
I and many other homeowners along the route ask that you as
city council review the past council's endorsement of the ART and withdraw
support so more thought can be given to it by more people.