Please read the Letter to the Editor in Saturday's Northfield News, identifying unsafe conditions downtown and supporting the current plan as a way to substantially improve safety. That letter was limited to 400 words, and this improvement to Northfield deserves more.
Most important: the proposed intersection design at Division and 7th would be safe, attractive, and implement the city's goal of creating a gateway to downtown to the south. Watering down that intersection will make it less safe, less comfortable for everyone, and not implement the city's policy.
Similarly with parking. Businesses in this part of town have on-site parking, and on the very, very rare occasions when that is full, it is never the case that one has to walk any distance.
Finally, the current plan provides safe, efficient access to all businesses. Building semi-truck lanes throughout downtown is unneccesary.
Downtown streets, especially Division and Washington, are too dangerous. Especially to the south, the streets are neither safe nor comfortable for anyone--whether driving, walking, or getting around in a wheelchair. City staff have developed a plan that will make that part of downtown safer and more pleasant. I especially support the part of the plan in which the crosswalk is at sidewalk level. This design already works in several places in Northfield. It's good for everyone. It will help my family. It will help the older folks at Village on the Cannon and Millstream Commons get downtown.
Dear City Council: I support for the street improvement project as proposed. The plan as it is reflects a number of compromises, and does an excellent job of balancing competing interests with a progressive approach which reflects current best practices in street design and safety. The most specific practical concern I've heard involves the reduction in total parking spaces; however, there is more than ample on-street parking on Washington, Division, Seventh, and Sixth streets at that south end of downtown, so the objection seems more theoretical than an actual problem. I am part owner of two buildings (one business, one residential) in or adjacent to the affected area, and I support the plan as presented.
Dear Mayor and City Councilors:
Please read the Letter to the Editor in Saturday's Northfield News, identifying unsafe conditions downtown and supporting the current plan as a way to substantially improve safety. That letter was limited to 400 words, and this improvement to Northfield deserves more.
Most important: the proposed intersection design at Division and 7th would be safe, attractive, and implement the city's goal of creating a gateway to downtown to the south. Watering down that intersection will make it less safe, less comfortable for everyone, and not implement the city's policy.
Similarly with parking. Businesses in this part of town have on-site parking, and on the very, very rare occasions when that is full, it is never the case that one has to walk any distance.
Finally, the current plan provides safe, efficient access to all businesses. Building semi-truck lanes throughout downtown is unneccesary.
Please adopt the current plan.
Thank you for your work.
Dear City Councilors:
Downtown streets, especially Division and Washington, are too dangerous. Especially to the south, the streets are neither safe nor comfortable for anyone--whether driving, walking, or getting around in a wheelchair. City staff have developed a plan that will make that part of downtown safer and more pleasant. I especially support the part of the plan in which the crosswalk is at sidewalk level. This design already works in several places in Northfield. It's good for everyone. It will help my family. It will help the older folks at Village on the Cannon and Millstream Commons get downtown.
Please pass the staff plan as is. I support it.
Dear City Council: I support for the street improvement project as proposed. The plan as it is reflects a number of compromises, and does an excellent job of balancing competing interests with a progressive approach which reflects current best practices in street design and safety. The most specific practical concern I've heard involves the reduction in total parking spaces; however, there is more than ample on-street parking on Washington, Division, Seventh, and Sixth streets at that south end of downtown, so the objection seems more theoretical than an actual problem. I am part owner of two buildings (one business, one residential) in or adjacent to the affected area, and I support the plan as presented.