Tommy Blog Roundup of Links from M Street Meeting | Roundup of Links from M Street Meeting |
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| Written by Charles Allen | |
| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 | |
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In case you missed it, last night Tommy hosted a meeting to talk about several possible traffic calming and pedestrian improvements to M Street SE & SW through what’s known as a “complete street.” A complete street looks to reduce the number and speed of cars on the roadways, provide better pedestrian safety and access, and support alternate means of travel that connects neighborhoods. AARP, a strong supporter of the concept, presented information about why a complete street is good for both older and younger residents. Tommy outlined how over the next few years, the M Street SE & SW corridor will witness billions of dollars of development, a growth in 25,000 employees and 10,000 new residents. That’s equivalent to building a new small American city, and M Street will be the new main street. We can either plan now to have it serve the community’s needs, or end up with even more of a raceway that divides the neighborhood. Currently, M Street is a 6-lane highway – plunked down in the middle of one of the most multi-modal neighborhoods in the city. Within blocks you can not only find major roadways, but you can ride Metrorail, Metrobus, or the Circulator, as well as catch a water taxi or even use the helipad. But M Street does not serve the needs for pedestrians and cyclists, instead, catering to the 1950's and 60's model of trying to move as many cars as possible through an area. A complete street is a different way to think about a street -- one that slows cars down, provides better pedestrian crossings and walking experience, and supports alternative modes of transportation. Here are few links to write-ups from the meeting: JDLand: Click Here
Readers have left 7 comments. (1) Untitled 2010-03-10 10:48:36 Before thinking about reducing parking on M St for Complete Streets, please consider those of us who live on or just off 4th St SW who have vitually lost all guest parking because of the stadium. We have 2 hour parking 7am to midnight 365 days a year even if nothing is going on at the Stadium. I cannot plan a birthday, Super Bowl or other party involving out of area guests (except for the one permit I have). Sure I can go to MPD and ask for special one day permits but that is a real hassle (and who knows their guests license plate number?). Where else in the city is parking as restrictive as 4th St and now you want to eliminate even more neighborhood parking possibilities? - Bob Evans (2) Untitled 2010-03-10 11:14:50 Mr. Evans, Just to clarify, the complete street doesn't actually reduce parking on M Street SW. Most curbside parking could be preserved if the community felt that was a priority on the SW side of thinks. But the priority of the consideration here is really about reducing car speed, the number of vehicles cruising through the neighborhood, and making it safer and more welcoming for pedestrians. Regarding the parking passes, MPD does not require license plate information for one-day passes. You can just pick them up from the station. If you've experienced a problem with that, please let us know and we'll help get that corrected. We're also pushing DDOT to allow residents to get one-day passes online to make it easier. Written by Charles Allen () (3) Untitled 2010-03-10 13:33:53 Mr Wells, I am a ward 6 resident and I completely support this plan. I feel like the cycle tracks are critical to making this complete. I was fortunate to bike to Obama's inauguration on M Street when there were no cars present. It would make a fantastic link for cyclists all across ward 6. A few weeks later I tried biking it with cars, and I have not since. Its too dangerous, the speed is too high, and the intersections (especially at South Capitol) are not designed for bikes (or pedestrians). Cycle tracks would make it inviting to those who are not avid cyclists be able to live in the city more easily without a car. Thank you, I hope to hear this plan move forward. Written by Erik () (4) Untitled 2010-03-10 17:02:38 I could not get out of work in time to make it to the meeting yesterday, but I wanted to let you know that your proposal looks very promising. As it stands, M St. is unsafe and uninviting for pedestrians, transit users, and bikers, and this would go a long way towards fixing it. Keep up the good work--SW DC needs things like this! (5) Untitled 2010-03-11 08:24:31 Councilmember Wells, As a Ward 6 resident who lives on Water ST SW, I think that your suggested improvements to M Street are a wonderful idea. I do understand concerns by some residents regarding traffic gridlock, but I also believe that you are correct when you state that more lanes will bring more traffic. Many residents may not recall that Logan Circle was a made a 6 lane circle in the 1950s, and only reduced to 4 lanes in the 1980s. The change was dramatic in terms of overall living conditions for those near the circle. The roads became safer, and sound and air pollution were greatly reduced. An argument was presented that bike lanes would not benefit single-parent families that need to drop off children at schools and pick up groceries. I venture to say that a busier road will not benefit anyone on M St. A higher traffic volume will make all pedestrians less safe. There is no transportation problem within the District that will be remedied by creating the ability to have more cars on the roads. All major arterial roads will become too saturated too quickly. There are simply too many cars in DC. The only way we will address transportation issues is to create alternative means for all DC residents to access the services they need. Complete Streets is one step in the right direction. Bikes are not only for the elite, but we need more community biking programs that educate new riders and help provide access to affordable bikes. Also, increased public transportation options will be essential. I think an eventual street car track on M St will prove extremely beneficial. (6) Untitled 2010-03-12 09:34:31 I strongly agree on the issue of parking permits for tax paying residents in Zone 6 of SW DC. It is a hassle to have to get a permit each time from the Police District each time I rent a car...since parking costs in my apartment building and the area is becoming more and more prohibitive. (I got rid of my car due to the vandalism, parking costs, and the fact that during the week, I am satisfied with public transportation). Several issues: - I understand the need to control parking space in the area, however, equal access to parking is a concern... to say that since I live in an apartment building that has parking, I cannot have a parking permit that others can receive from DC. (Please note that parking in my building is $10 a day...even though I live here...parking is not free nor included in my rent). - I received one visitor's pass to park during the day, however, it does not cover me for evening parking near the building I reside. - Parking spaces in the area are also confusing...one side of the street allows for 2 hour parking...the other only Zone 6. In looking at Baltimore...I have a friend that has a pass for anyone parking in front of their house. (one permit that is offered for their car or their guest)... Thanks for listening....and hopefully some resolution... DB (7) Untitled 2010-03-12 13:44:29 I live in River park in SW, and I fully support the 'complete streets' plan. I do drive, but I'm less concerned about minutes added to my commute than I am excited about the prospect of a pleasant walk down M St. Also, I understand that someone called the bike-focused plan 'elitist', but most of the bikes I see around are ridden by neighborhood kids, not hipster newcomers. Thanks Mr. Wells for spearheading this! |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 March 2010 ) |
Less than a few hours after last night’s M Street SE / SW meeting had ended, blog posts were popping up all over the place with recaps of the discussion
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