HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-19 Public Comment - C. Mastel - Downtown Bozeman Improvement PlanFrom:Agenda
To:Brenda Sweeney
Subject:FW: Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan
Date:Monday, April 15, 2019 11:40:05 AM
Brenda,
See this public comment below that the send previously tried to send to
agenda@bozeman.net but was returned as “undeliverable”.
Chris Naumann
Executive Director
Downtown Bozeman Partnership
222 East Main Street #302
Bozeman MT 59715
406-586-4008
www.downtownbozeman.org
From: Candace Mastel <cmhcissymt@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2019 11:16 AM
To: Chris Naumann <chris@downtownbozeman.org>
Subject: Re: Last Call: Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan
Ok, here is the exact wording I sent to the commission:
City Commissioners:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan. As a MSU
Campus Planner and the Chair of the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board, I have been involved in
some of the sessions during the planning process for this document. It has been exciting seeing the
community come together to discuss issues like mobility, housing, urban design, and more. My
comments will focus mainly on Chapter 5: Walkable and Accessible.
During your review and consideration of adoption of this plan please consider the following:
1. Pages 60-61: "More than Main Street" - Black Avenue is identified as a bike hub in the plan.
Consider that bicyclists consider any and all roads potential routes to and from and within downtown.
Our compact downtown lends itself ideally to offering up multiple north-south and east-west routes
to connect to outer neighborhoods where we could be drawing people in on more active modes. I am
a year-round bike commuter and enjoy coming downtown after work on campus and grabbing dinner
with friends or visiting my physical therapist. For me, as an intrepid rider, riding on Main Street is not
that scary but for the majority of typical riders, there are not many options for accessing downtown.
The City should work to enhance these connections on our major routes to encourage people coming
on bike, foot, or other active mode.
2. Chapter 5: "Walkable and Accessible" - When we design for the least mobile person we design for
everyone. Consider that the options presented in this chapter for reconfiguration of Main Street does
not take into consideration that bicyclists may want to ride down that street. A three lane
configuration with back-in angled parking does not solve this issue, as its presented. Also consider
that with back-in angled parking traffic flow may be delayed when cars are trying to park.
3. Pages 95 and 97: Consider treating the bicycle facilities on Mendenhall and Babcock in similar
fashions, so as to create consistency between the two for both motor vehicle operators and bicyclists.
Consistency in facility treatment produces predictability for both users.
Thank you for taking the time to review this plan and consider adoption for the benefit of the entire
community. The Downtown Bozeman Partnership, the stakeholder group and the consultants on this
project have done an excellent job at outreach and inclusion in the planning process.
Thank you for your time,
Candace Mastel
3139 Rose Street
Bozeman, Montana 59718