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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-14 Letters of Support CombinedJanuary 2, 2020 Ben Alexander 2251 Powder Park Ct Bozeman, MT 59715 To: City of Bozeman’s Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOP) selection committee Re: TOP funding for the ​Front Street Connector Trail ​project I am writing this letter to encourage and strongly support the City of Bozeman’s Trails, Open Space and Parks program to fund the ​Front Street Connector Trail ​project before funding any new projects. My wife and I live on the north side of Bozeman with our two young girls. We regularly use the trails here to get to school and work, our public library, shop for groceries, and run errands. We also routinely struggle with safe passage at busy intersections and in places where current trails or pathways simply end or fail to provide connections that allow us safely to reach our destinations. Since the City first approved funds for the ​Front Street Connector Trail​ project in 2015, we have seen explosive growth on the north side of town, new trail connections such as the Oak Connector and M Pathway which have triggered significant new trial and pathway use, and anticipated completion of Rouse improvements this summer. All of these developments have created more hazards for walkers, runners, cyclists and all non-automobile travelers trying to move through the Wallace, Oak and Rouse areas. TOP funding is a critical component to completing the long-planned and more-important-than-ever ​Front Street Connector Trail​. This project is a north side linchpin. It will provide a crucial east-west trail connection and allow more people to use and safely enjoy our Main Street to the Mountains system as Wallace, Oak and Rouse get busier and more intimidating for a growing number of Bozeman trail and pathway users. The ​Front Street Connector Trail ​project is a timely, valuable and worthwhile connection for all Bozeman residents. I request that the City of Bozeman’s Trails, Open Space and Parks selection committee fund this longstanding project before funding any new projects and at a level that would allow the project to be completed this coming summer. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ben Alexander February 4, 2020 City of Bozeman Trails, Open Space, and Parks Committee Dear TOP Committee, I write to express my support for the Front Street Path project because it will significantly increase bicycle and pedestrian safety and connectivity in Bozeman. I live in northwest Bozeman with my husband and two elementary-aged daughters. We use the Oak Street path to bicycle into the Bozeman core and access Story Mill Community Park, downtown, and businesses at the Cannery. Without the Front Street Path, we are forced to bicycle through the Fairgrounds or along Rouse—without sidewalks or dedicated bicycle facilities. This can feel unsafe and deters us from more frequently using bikes to access downtown and Story Mill Community Park. If completed, the Front Street Path--combined with the Oak Street Path, Story Mill Spur Trail, and Path to the M—will make it possible to traverse Bozeman west-to-east entirely on dedicated trails. Access to safe, connected trails is clearly good for families like mine and helps sustain the high quality of life in Bozeman. But the benefits extend to our entire community in many ways. Studies show that in addition to reducing carbon emissions, trails are good for our health and our economy. For example: • People who regularly bike have significantly lower risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease.1 • Use of trails boosts self-esteem and mood.2 • Property values are 5-10% higher near paths3 • People spend more time4 and money5 at local businesses when they arrive by trail. Studies also show if you build better bike facilities, more people will use them, and dedicated facilities (not just bike lanes or sidewalks) are preferred by users of all ages and abilities.6 Closing the gaps in our trail system—as the Front Street Path will do—will make biking and walking a safe, viable option for more people. This is a wise investment for our community health, our businesses and economy, and for our environment, and is entirely aligned with the goals of the TOP bond approved by voters. I urge you to fully fund the Front Street Path project. Yours sincerely, Kelly Pohl 860 Rogers Way Bozeman, MT 59718 References Cited 1 Celis-Morales Carlos A, Lyall Donald M, Welsh Paul, Anderson Jana, Steell Lewis, Guo Yibing et al. Association between active commuting and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality: prospective cohort study BMJ 2017; 357 :j1456 https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1456 2 Barton, J., and J. Pretty. 2010. “What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis.” Environmental Science and Technology 44(10): 3947-3955. http://headwaterseconomics.org/wp-content/uploads/Trail_Study_94-UK-Benefits-Green-Exercise.pdf 3 Headwaters Economics. 2016. Measuring Trail Benefits: Property Value. https://headwaterseconomics.org/wp- content/uploads/trails-library-property-value-overview.pdf 4 Drennen, E. 2004. Economic effects of traffic calming on urban small businesses. Bike Walk Conference Proceedings. http://www.bikewalk.org/2004conference/sessions/28_Business_calm/TrafficCalming_summary.pdf 5 Clifton, K.J., S. Morrissey, and C. Ritter. 2012. Business Cycles: Catering to the bicycling market. TR News. http://kellyjclifton.com/Research/EconImpactsofBicycling/TRN_280_CliftonMorrissey&Ritter_pp26-32.pdf 6 Misra, Aditi & Watkins, Kari & Dantecc, C.A. (2015). Socio-demographic Influence on Rider Type Self Classification with respect to Bicycling. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.Paper 15-5860. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301866355_Socio-demographic_Influence_on_Rider_Type_Self_Classification_with_respect_to_Bicycling 2/12/2020 Attn: City of Bozeman TOP Committee The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) works to advance rural transportation through research and education. As Bozeman continues to grow, it is important that projects promoting and supporting connectivity of a multi-modal transportation network receive support to advance active transportation (walking and biking) as a safe and healthy part of the network. Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) has submitted an application for additional funding to the Bozeman Trails Open Space and Parks Committee (TOP) for completion of the Front Street Connector (FSC) Project. The FSC project will provide a separated space for people walking and biking as well as connectivity for residents between Rouse, Oak, the Cannery District, and the new Story Mill Community Park. The FSC project supports multiple City of Bozeman plans that promote a more balanced, connected multi-modal transportation network. The plans include: The City of Bozeman Strategic Plan Section 4.5 Housing and Transportation Choices: Vigorously encourage, through a wide variety of actions, the development of sustainable and lasting housing options for underserved individuals and families and improve mobility options that accommodate all travel modes. a) Enhance Non-motorized Transportation Bozeman Community Plan (Draft 2019) Goal DCD-1: Ensure multimodal connectivity within the City. Goal M-1: Ensure multimodal accessibility. Goal M-2: Ensure multimodal safety. 2017 Transportation Master Plan Goal 6: Protect and Enhance Environmental Sustainability, Provide Opportunities for Active Lifestyles, and Conserve Natural and Cultural Resources. Objective 6.1: Promote transportation projects, plans and/or programs that encourage reducing fuel consumption, reducing vehicle miles of travel, and thereby minimizing air pollution. The FSC project moves the City of Bozeman towards a more connected active transportation network and for these reasons, the Western Transportation Institute recommends that the TOP committee recommend approval of the application for additional funding to the City Commission to successfully complete the FSC project. Thank you for your consideration and work towards making Bozeman a more connected community that promotes and supports active transportation. Sincerely Matthew A Madsen Research Associate Lindsey Hanna   Commuter Cyclist   ㅡ Lindsey 1612 W Olive St, Apt 2 Bozeman, MT 59715 (907) 957-6373 lindseynullhanna@gmail.com 12 February 2020 Addi Jadin   City of Bozeman | Recreaon and Parks Department PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59715 Dear TOP Commiee Members, I am a dedicated year-round commuter cyclist here in Bozeman, consistently riding 700-900 miles each year purely for transportaon purposes. I most oen ride between my home and my Downtown employer, but also frequent the Cannery District, Northeast neighborhood, NW Bozeman, and the new Ferguson Farm area. With the excepon of Bridger Bowl (and Costco...usually), I typically bike in lieu of driving regardless of season whenever possible. In the summer, I addionally ride to the M once per week for trail running, and I’m very excited to finally have the new path for this year’s training season! That said, commung via bike in Bozeman is rarely simple, straighorward, or safe. The few areas with offset mul-use paths (West Huffine, Oak, College) are far and above not only a more pleasant place to ride, but substanally safer for cyclists and drivers alike (especially in the winter.) There is currently no such bike route between Downtown and the Cannery District or Story Mill park: 7th is far too congested and drivers do not give us room despite the “Share the Road” signage; Black/Tracy/Fairgrounds have many uncontrolled stops that aren’t well maintained in the winter; Wallace has an unfortunate number of stop signs and more traffic than you’d expected; and Rouse has far too much traffic in addion to minimal shoulder space. The least awful routes are Black and Wallace, depending on which end of Bozeman you start from, but in order to get toward the M the former sll requires cyclists to ride on Rouse for ¼ to ½ of a mile, based on how circuitously you’re willing to ride. Prior to 6am, summer riding on Rouse isn’t too awful for an intrepid rider, but my return two hours later can be a nightmare.. This connector trail would allow cyclists to safely and straighorwardly avoid Rouse completely without requiring an obnoxious detour. This would ease pressure and stress for vehicular traffic and cyclists alike. The more we implement protected opons for non-motorized transportaon, the happier, healthier, greener, and quieter our community will be. I fully support and look forward to riding this and all future paths, trails, bridges, and overpasses that give cyclists (and pedestrians) more opons to ride safely, conveniently, and comfortably throughout Bozeman. Sincerely, Lindsey Hanna February 13, 2020 City of Bozeman Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOP) Committee RE: Front Street Pathway Connector Dear TOP Committee: We would like to express our support for the Front Street Pathway. This project will not only provide safer connections for the existing pedestrian and cyclist transportation network, but it will also promote community health by increasing opportunities for physical activity. As you may know, HRDC and our partners are in the process of planning a new mixed-income neighborhood directly east of Story Mill Community Park. Our intent with Bridger View Redevelopment is to cultivate a healthy, vibrant, energetic and safe living environment that sustains the rich fabric of Bozeman and fosters pride of place and good stewardship of homes, neighborhood and community. Walking and biking is intentionally prioritized over cars in the site design and all 62 porches are directly linked to a pathway system that also connects to the Story Mill Community Park, the new Path to the M and the Story Mill Spur Trail. Completion of the Front Street Pathway links the entire system in this part of town together. Thank you. Sincerely, Tracy Menuez Associate Director HRDC IX, Inc.