The local organization that advocates for Active Transportation options for Prince Rupert has taken up Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain's call for a critique of two elements of his June 28th State of the City presentation.
As we outlined on the blog over the weekend, one component of that two hour review of plans and updates on progress included some new ideas for two downtown core streets, 2nd Avenue West and Third Avenue West.
On Monday, Complete Streets for Prince Rupert provided a fairly extensive response to the concept ideas, offering praise for one, a few helpful suggestions for the other.
Towards the reorientation plan for 2nd Avenue West, the Complete Streets group liked much of what the Mayor had introduced.
"In our opinion, the City’s concept reorientation for 2nd Avenue West looks pretty good. Proposed are curb extensions on either side of the street (See the benefits of curb extensions here), a raised median to separate traffic, additional street trees, angle parking, bus access, sidewalks, and what appears to be a 2-way protected cycling path"
When it came to a look over for the Third Avenue West concept proposal the group identified one area that impressed them, that the introduction of curb extensions.
However a few other elements of the proposed Third Avenue makeover provided a few words of caution from the transportation advocates.
"There are a few things, however, that are less than ideal about the City’s concept for 3rd Avenue pictured above. Half jokingly, the Mayor commented, “We have a parking problem downtown… ‘cause people don’t want to walk one block to their location!” In response this ‘problem’, angled parking is proposed. This would supposedly increase parking by up to 40% on each block.
However, since the mayor mentioned extra parking lots are also being considered for locations in the area, and when the next available parking spot is often available on the next block, we question the necessity of the angled parking, especially since it appears to come at the expense of protection for people who would choose to cycle or roll downtown.
Would a mother or father feel comfortable cycling down 3rd Avenue with their seven-year-old son or daughter? What would the street be like if they could? Cities and towns that have prioritized the safety and comfort of pedestrians have realized the health, social and economic benefits of such an approach. With more housing slated for downtown, it really is the time to prioritize the pedestrian in Prince Rupert."
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