Comments for “Monroe Avenue Conceptual Improvement Plan”
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This intersection seems confusing and hazardous for pedestrians/cyclists and cars alike. I wonder if it could be come a roundabout. At a minimum it would benefit from stronger + more lighting.
Liked 2 times -
Many drivers think that this is a right turn lane, due to it being completely unmarked. This is valuable space that could be well-used for various safety and comfort facilities.
Liked 5 times -
The availability of outdoor dining here is very nice, with the biggest problems being a cramped feel due to the small sidewalk, and the noise of a constant stream of cars.
Liked 4 times -
There is way too much valuable public space on these blocks dedicated to storing private vehicles.
Liked 5 times -
The light timings on this intersection leave much to be desired. Whether driving, walking, or biking, I can never seem to get through this intersection waiting less than a couple minutes, no matter how much traffic there is. Pedestrians regularly walk against the light because of the horrible inefficiency. Drivers go as fast as possible to avoid needing to wait.
Liked 1 time -
Better lighting here would be a huge plus. There are many conflict points and it can be hard to see, no matter what mode of transportation you're using.
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Definitely need a wider sidewalk in this area. Between business entrances, trees (which are nice, I am not suggesting removing those), and parking meters, there is very little space considering how much foot traffic this gets on the daily. Not to mention the complete lack of accessibility for those who cannot walk.
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This entire project area of Monroe would really benefit from street design that encourages the type of driving the city wants to see. Speed bumps, narrower lanes, maybe single lane one-way traffic or limited vehicle access like most of campus. I list these as potential compromises to what I think would be the better solution of removing cars from this area altogether. There could still be very well-controlled ways to get to and from the parking lots from adjacent streets.
Liked 9 times -
Given the amount of patronage to these restaurants, bike parking in this area would be helpful. The closest spot is around the block next to the parking lot on Kings, and not very well lit making it an easy spot for potential thieves.
Liked 3 times -
Street parking in this stretch, especially on this block, does not seem worth the safety and space costs. I have almost been hit multiple times trying to bike next to cars that are parking, leaving, or people opening their doors to exit their vehicles. We could do so many better things with this space.
Liked 5 times -
This is one of the most dangerous intersections on all of campus. IF we must have car traffic on Monroe, some bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements must be added. When crossing Monroe as a pedestrian, it is extremely difficult to see approaching cars due to power poles, parked cars, and the general busy intersection. Curb extensions would help immensely, taking space from car parking on this corner. Speed bumps could also help.
Liked 5 times -
This is the closest coffee shop to many of my classes since they are all on the west side of campus. It's a little small, and I would love if there was another coffee shop in an area close to where Dutch Bro's on kings used to be.
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This is a high traffic crosswalk and it seems like cars often have a hard time seeing pedestrians here since it's not a clear 4-way intersection.
Liked 3 times -
There is never enough parking, and too much traffic for the size of the street. I bike there. Pedestrians just walk into the street to cross without looking. There is too much car traffic.
I think it would be great to close off this section of Monroe to car through traffic - maybe with retractable obstacles to allow buses to pass. One could imagine having car access from side streets with more parking available for businesses, and a good bike path.
Looking forward to seeing this part of town get an upgrade! Thanks.
Liked 9 times -
I love all the restaurants in this building unit. I would love some outdoor seating options for the summer.
Liked 1 time -
This light is absurdly long. It hinders the flow of bike traffic and encourages pedestrians to j-walk.
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I loved having outdoor seating here. I would rather have seating, even in winter, instead of parking.
Liked 7 times -
I am always nervous about this entire stretch of bike lane next to parked cars. People sometimes open their doors or pull out without looking.
Liked 9 times -
It would be great if this bus stop didn't block traffic. Having the bus stop here adds to the chaos of the nearby intersection. There are also pedestrians who run across the street to catch the bus.
Liked 1 time -
Please remove the urban highways out of the downtown area. It makes it very difficult to enjoy walking and biking in the area.
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Ban cars on Monroe between 14th and 26th
Liked 7 times -
Ban cars on Monroe, it's not the 1960s anymore people. The road design permits people to go way beyond the speed limit, and the infrastructure has outdated features like slip lane on 14th street. The issue is that ODOT and others use a design called "Guideline for the Development of Bicycle Facilities", which was published in 2012 and rather outdated. Some of its designs actually make things more dangerous for those walking and biking than how they were before. When they should be using the CROW design manual, which is used in real walkable places like Amsterdam.
You can't solve the speeding problem with enforcement either. The design of the road has to be fixed. But yet we cling to outdated ideologies from the WW2 era, because one more lane will definitely solve the traffic problems on Van Buren Street. The more you concede to demands for car infrastructure, the more demand is induced and the more car traffic there is. When this happens, a place that is pleasant and walkable becomes unpleasant and dangerous.
Liked 19 times -
During busy times, I've seen car drivers waiting to get out of this parking lot get very impatient/frustrated with waiting, and that can lead to dangerous decisions. Putting all-way stops wherever there's a side street with parking could reduce that frustration while also slowing traffic.
Liked 3 times -
I bike this most mornings turning left at 14th most of the time to use campus way, but there is only a left turn yield. Sometimes there are many cars behind me and coming through, and there are many of us commuting this way (near multiple homes and apts). At night going downtown have to be careful if bus is coming or making that stop on Monroe right after 14th since so close to turn lane and bus has to use bike lane with high volume of cars also.
Liked 4 times -
It would be great if this entire section of Monroe was more pedestrian friendly, since many college students come from campus to cross the street. One idea is to make this section of Monroe closed to vehicle traffic, just bikes and pedestrians.
Liked 13 times