All Ears #27
ByIn this ongoing experiment to provide ease of access to your government, this thread can be the home to all of your questions, suggestions, requests, and dedications.
In our most recent meeting, City Council voted 4-3 (with yours truly opposed) to support Montford Commons’ request for a 5 year tax abatement and 50% reduction on fees. They’re now moving ahead to meet with County Commissioners to finish closing their funding gap.
We also voted (6-1, Jan Davis opposed) to reopen the pedestrian bridge from the Chicken Hill side of I-240 to the Hillcrest side. By clearing the underbrush, lighting the entire area including the sidewalk, posting additional police protection, and upgrading the bridge itself we will be bringing increased safety to an area that’s been too long neglected. It will also serve as a bona fide transportation route from west Asheville to downtown.
What are your thoughts, concerns, needs, desires? I’m all ears.
9 Comments
August 26th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Did anyone from Council meet with the police chief to ascertain what issues /problems led to the closing? And how those types of issues can be dealt with now?
If Council members did meet with law enforcement, what was law enforcement’s take on this proposal. Were they all for it, or were they dubious?
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August 27th, 2010 at 8:46 am
D,
The Chief gave a report to Council. We reviewed the history of the bridge and the issues surrounding it. I met with several groups regarding the bridge opening. 88% of Hillcrest residents wanted it reopened. WECAN Neighborhood residents were largely in favor of reopening.
Law enforcement stated their willingness to enact the will of Council. Housing Authority stated the same.
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August 27th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
s n prblm hr. n th 90s, th mjrty f L Wlkr Hghts wntd th brdg clsd nd t ws. Nw th mjrty wnts t pn nd tht’s fn. pn t.
Wht WLL cnsttt prblm s f crm spks gn nd th rsdnts sk t b rclsd nd cty cncl drgs thr ft.
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August 27th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
What about devoting some resources, volunteer hours, innovative thinking to a crime prevention program instead of waiting for the much-anticipated crime wave?
A little ‘out of the box’ pro-active community based policing might go a long way here to surprise those just waiting for the inevitable. APD will, alas, do what they do which may not be what solves the problem.
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August 28th, 2010 at 10:00 am
This from the tweeted reports of Council meeting;
“7:41 p.m. APD Chief Hogan talking about need for officer at gate: “We had a lot of horrific experiences on that bridge” “
What sort of horrific experiences? And why do we expect anything different now that we have a much worse economy and even more desperate people?
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August 30th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Who has right of way in city parks, i.e. French Broad River Park and Carrier Park, pedestrians or bicyclists? I have recently observed cyclists race down paths, paved and dirt, narrowly avoiding collisions with old people, dog walkers and, today a young man in a wheelchair. It must be nice to ride your bike in these parks, but doing so at speeds I’ve observed is unsafe. Dogs and children are unpredictable. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
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August 30th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Diogenes,
It’s my understanding that pedestrians are always first in line for rights of way.
More bike infrastructure will allow for increased safety for everyone.
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August 30th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Also, Diogenes – Re: crime prevention: We are doing exactly that. Clearing the brush, cleaning the area, lighting the area and the sidewalk, encouraging positive traffic – these are all environmental measures that improve security. Residents of Chicken Hill and Hillcrest are very interested in community watch efforts to improve security. The APD will support these measures and add additional beat cops to the area.
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August 30th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Thanks for your reply. Perhaps a sign? ‘Cyclists must yield to pedestrians’ would help remind those who don’t seem aware of the rule.
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