HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-22-20 Public Comment - J. Vonsehlen - Comments for tonight's commission meetingFrom:Jen vonsehlen
To:Agenda
Subject:Comments for tonight"s commission meeting
Date:Tuesday, December 22, 2020 4:59:22 PM
Dear City Commissioners,
I write to respectfully state my opposition to allocating funds towards expanding KagyBoulevard to four lanes. I think this is a mistake, a terrible use of funds, and sends the signal
that the city is more on the side of drivers rather than pedestrians and non-vehicularcommuters. I do not see the long term benefit of this expansion other than to invite more
driving and hurried commuters, creating an even worse situation for pedestrians and bikecommuters. I moved to Bozeman about 2.5 years ago after living in Missoula for over 16
years. I moved here for a job on campus and was pretty excited when I realized my rentalhouse on Westridge is an easy and quick walk. I quickly learned, however, that crossing Kagy
at 7th is not always easy and is, at times, downright dangerous. I walk or bike commute to
campus every day, Monday through Friday. I cross Kagy and 7th a minimum of 10
times/week. I can tell you what is really needed is a safer means by which the many peoplelike me can confidently cross Kagy. If I had a dollar for every driver that blew through the
crosswalk in spite of bright flashing lights and my presence in the crosswalk, I could afford aparking pass at MSU (that would never get used). And yes, I don reflective gear and a
headlamp when it is dusk, dawn or dark. Drivers have no excuse not to stop. They simplydon’t want to because it is inconvenient or they are on their phones and not paying attention. I
see the backup it does create when drivers must eventually stop for us peds during rush hour. This does not need to be the case. Building an overpass or creating a ped tunnel would be a
much more practical solution and is where I think our tax dollars should be directed – not toexpanding the road and inviting more drivers. Yes, the southside is growing. More housing
developments are springing up. The field I have adored watching migratory birds and deerfrequent and admired many stunning sunrises and sunsets from will soon be developed and the
serene views of the Spanish Peaks from that quiet trail behind Westridge will forever vanish inexchange for more hideous apartment buildings and mixed housing units. With this increase
in development, what the citizens of Bozeman really need is two-fold: an increase in busservices/public transportation and expanded/safer bike lanes/ped crossings, etc. I realize
taking the bus may not be the most safe or practical for some or even most during a pandemic,but one day life will get back to “normal” and when that happens, I favor living in a city that
invests in public transportation and safe, non-vehicular modes of getting around. Currently,Streamline does not service any part of Bozeman south of Kagy. Why is this? Is the
expectation that all of the folks who buy up the new, unaffordable houses, condos andapartments south of Kagy will have to drive to get around Bozeman? Next, city-wide we need
to invest in more and safer bike lanes as well as ped crossings. Without these and withoutconvenient bus service, folks will continue to drive. Expanding Kagy to four lanes is just
more incentive to do so. However, if public transportation were more robust and bike lanesbetter connected and safer, people would learn the wonderful benefits of getting around
without a car (It is truly fabulous when done right and well planned. Heck, I did it for many,many years while living in Missoula…I biked, bused or walked to/from work every day then,
too, and I lived twice as far as I do now from my place of work). I won’t get into theenvironmental benefit this would have on our community, because I think this should be
obvious and clearly is a better fit in the city’s climate plan.
So, who am I? I am not a transportation expert and I am not a scientist or engineer, but I am atax-paying resident that lives the realities of crossing Kagy everyday on foot or bike. Four
lanes and moving more cars past a bustling university campus is not the answer. Safer pedcrossings, more and better connected bike lanes and expanded public transportation are!
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my concerns.
Respectfully,
Jen von Sehlen