Some leaders in Aspen’s business community on Tuesday urged city officials to consider the consequences of measures aimed at improving the safety and mobility of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists using the downtown core.
At the monthly board meeting of the Aspen Chamber of Commerce Resorts Association, the directors stated that they would like more information before drawing any conclusions on the city’s latest measures to address traffic and parking problems in the downtown area.
Their comments were made after a speech by members of the city’s engineering department. They have been meeting with stakeholders in Aspen recently to discuss changes to part of Galena Street-between Hopkins Avenue and Cooper Avenue. Room-located in the city center, with plenty of walking, bicycles and motor vehicles. transportation. The focus of the recent publicity campaigns on these two blocks in the community is to eliminate left turns into Hayman Avenue, replace the diagonal with parallel parking, increase dedicated bicycle lanes, and widen sidewalks. As part of the change, Hyman Avenue will be a one-way westbound from Hunter Street.
Aspen officials said these renovations will increase convenience and safety in the core area of the city center.
"All users in the city center are confused when navigating," PJ Murray, city project manager, told the ACRA board of directors.
City officials provided a large amount of data on the need to change the current configuration of the city center, and the survey results shown detail the desire of residents and businesses to try some pilot programs to improve the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
However, some ACRA board members stated that they would like to see the problems in the city center before any changes occur.
A key question-where is the most dangerous and troublesome place in the city center? They said they must get an answer before the city starts messing up parking arrangements and traffic flow.
Lisa LeMay, who represents the retail industry on ACRA's board of directors, said she would like to see "data that reflects the many disputes between cars and pedestrians, cars and bicycles." So far, there are no statistics, whether in a newspaper article or in your presentation, I think this will be a big advantage in promoting this. I will not necessarily give recognition, but statistics will help the business end and try to get the business to support it. "
The intersection of Galena Street and Hyman is a focal point of the reimagined city center. In March 2020, a car killed a 5-year-old girl at the intersection.
On August 2, at the same intersection, it was reported that a vehicle turning left into Hyman hit the leg of a pedestrian and hit the person on the street. However, with the exception of the March 2020 tragedy and anecdotal anecdote of injuries at the crossroads caused by occasional accidents, there is no real data to support the city’s proposal, said Maria Moreau, who spoke on behalf of the professional services industry as a member of the ACRA board of directors.
"I just don't want statistics on what happened, but I want to know what happened," she said. "There is a feeling that this is a war against cars, and the desire to put bicycles at the heart of business, where all these spaces are provided for everyone."
The city stated that as these changes progress, 44 parking spaces will be lost; however, 47 parking spaces will be added elsewhere in the town. These include 18 new spaces in the St. Regis Aspen and Mountain Chalet areas, 12 spaces across from Francis Whitaker Park on Monarch Street, 6 spaces across from Limelight Hotel, outdoor ice skating rinks and four spaces near the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and 7 neighborhoods Of St. Mary's Church. According to city officials, in the affected areas, eight hours of residential parking will be replaced by four hours of paid parking.
For all discussions about city center safety, Moreau said that a city law advertised the concept referring to a 2013 decision by the Aspen City Council to allow cyclists to give way at stop signs, and Not completely stopped.
"We still have a rule that cyclists can pass through the stop signs in the city center," she said. "If we are serious about eliminating conflicts, we will cancel this rule. I will urge the city council to cancel this. Show that it is serious about safety, not just war on cars."
Although LeMay and Morrow wondered aloud whether the proposal would cause chaos rather than safety, board member Sam Barney said that without the continued enforcement of local peace officials, sidewalks and bicycle lanes would be useless. He said that electric bicycles in particular add another layer of safety issues.
"I like the idea of dedicated bicycle and sidewalk areas, but I feel that if there is no law enforcement, they will eventually fail," he said. "And I feel that there is a general lack of law enforcement for cyclists and pedestrians in Aspen."
He suggested that the city require people to obtain permits for riding electric bicycles.
"A lot of people can't use ordinary bicycles well, so it's a bit scary to install motors on them," he said.
Similarly, Charlie Yantis, a board member representing the financial industry, called for increased law enforcement, “let them know that there are police officers outside and be careful.” He pointed out that turning right from Mill Street to Main Street-at the Jerome Hotel-was particularly tricky because There are sidewalks nearby.
Petrice of the city’s engineering department said the citizen outreach meeting on downtown safety has attracted considerable attention to law enforcement. The city government and the police department know this, but Rice said that strengthening law enforcement is not necessarily a panacea for the city’s navigation problems.
"One thing I want to say from an engineering perspective is that if you use police enforcement as a security mechanism, then it is not sustainable," he said. "This usually means that when you have to rely on law enforcement, you get into trouble.... You don't have to rely on it."
City officials said that their ideas have not yet been determined, and they will consider these suggestions. The public outreach program in the coming months will include popular events, open days, meetings, and surveys.
Until January or February, the Aspen City Council’s outreach results will be shared with Aspen City Council and discussed how to proceed.
Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village made the work of Aspen Times possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to provide high-quality, locally relevant news.
Now, your support is more important than ever and can help us educate the community about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the local area. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be dedicated to the development and creation of more news reports.
According to social media posts, one of the oldest restaurants and local favorites in downtown Aspen will be permanently closed on November 5.
A law firm established in Aspen, Colorado is looking for a...
Sushi chef and apprentice sushi chef
Working for a great company at Alpine Bank, we do our best to help our employees, customers and the community realize...
Garfield County, Colorado is currently hiring the following positions: Director of Finance-Glenwood Springs, CO Fairgrounds and Event Manager...
Cross Country Ski Center Staff-Aspen Cross Country Center is looking for full-time and part-time employees to join...
RFTA seeks HR generalists to coordinate all stages of HR policies and plans, focusing on recruitment, recruitment,...
Now hiring Winter: Full-time seasonal-Butler starts at $16/hour-Club assistant (Bellman/driver) starts at $16/hour All...
T. Thompson Construction is looking for experienced Framers & Leadmen. To apply, please call Terry at 970-379-9688.
We are looking for the perfect couple with a unique location in the heart of Aspen. This couple should be...
Runners wanted! We are looking for sales assistants. The ideal candidate will: Be a runner and hiker who enjoy weekend work pays...
Hiring? ? ? ? Chief Facilities Engineer $70k/yr DOE?? Maintenance technology $21/hour Huge benefits and allowances $1,500 signing bonus Online application: jobs.eastwest.com
Work 4 days a week! Non-toxic workplace. EOE full benefits!
Humanitas360 Institute seeks motivated professionals with outstanding organizational skills to support the president, board of directors,...
The private Aspen estate seeks a full-time senior facility manager. Salary: $90,000-$130,000, commensurate with experience, plus medical/dental/vision insurance, PTO and...
YouthZone is hiring! Every day, the employees of YouthZone are committed to supporting...
Recruiting Steak House No. 316 | Monarch | Woody Creek Pub | The Wild FigMANAGERSE-mail CV or inquiries to: samantha@cprestaurants.comBACK…
At Alpine Bank, we spare no effort to help our employees, customers and communities realize their dreams. Alpine Bank benefits...
The Sheriff's Office Garfield County accepts applications until the Deputy and Detention Department are filled with $24.92-37.38. Hour. DOQ IT Expert-$24.92-...
-Cashier-$18-$20 per hour $2500 signing bonus
*Parking service representative*Bus driver*Facilities Maintenance Public Works Department*Maintenance Operator I outstanding salary and benefits.
Submit a request to update the crime story
Do not sell my personal information
Steamboat Springs-Rutte County
Winter Park-Granby-Grand County
Aspen High School-Ski Doodler