HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-20 Public Comment - G. Peterson - SID 762 S. 6th AveFrom:Gregory Peterson
To:Katherine Maines; Ann Peterson
Subject:SID Proposal for South 6th Avenue Street Renovation
Date:Tuesday, December 8, 2020 10:34:39 PM
Attachments:Bozeman Street Project.docx
December 8, 2020City of Bozeman Engineering Department
RE: South 6th Street Renovation Project
Hello,
My wife, Ann and I own our home at 119 South 6th Avenue. We are in favor of the streetrenovation project and would like to be a voice in seeing the project approved. The crumbling
streets, sidewalks and curbs detract from the beauty of the older neighborhoods. They presentsafety concerns such as possible tripping hazards. Additionally, the utility infrastructure that
we do not see presents problems that will have to be addressed at some point, including leadpipes that remain buried out of sight. In a time of possible economic downturn we understand
and share the concern that all of our neighbors have regarding the cost. However, we feel thatthere are several factors that must be addressed immediately and feel like these warrant the
need for the street renovation sooner than later. We have several concerns for this project thatwe would like to see addressed.
One primary concern of ours would be ensuring that all sewer lines and water supply lines thatare old and in need of being replaced are taken care while this infrastructure is being replaced.
Not after the street project has been finished. For example, there are water lines to many ofthe homes that still contain lead pipes. There should be no lead (Pb) pipes left upon
completion of this project into any homes, none! Old sewer lines that have been breached bytree roots should be replaced at least past the new sidewalks and into each yard so that the new
sidewalks do not have to be broken up to accommodate sewer and water line replacement.
We are not a fan of allowing the concrete companies to substitute heavy metal laden fly ash to
be substituted for Portland Cement. This is completely unacceptable. Additionally, thereshould be a case made for requiring the contractor to guarantee the quality of the concrete and
of the finishing techniques. If the concrete sidewalks pit, as so many do, the contractor shouldbe held responsible for replacing them for the first 20 years. This often happens when the
bleed water is trapped by improper timing of finishing with a steel trowel. I see old sidewalksthat were installed in the early 1900’s that look better than some installed within the last
decade. We shouldn’t pay for shoddy work or the substitution of inferior additives in theplace of the Portland Cement.
Another primary concern is the enforcement of proper tree species and the spacing of trees inthe parking strip to ensure that the investment made in the sidewalks and curbs are protected.
There are trees in the parking strips that are too close together and species that will eventuallyresult in the sidewalks being lifted. An assessment of these trees should be completed and a
plan implemented to remove trees under the supervision of the City of Bozeman’s ForestryDivision prior to the start of the project.
th
I don’t often see cars speeding down 6 so we are not as concerned about the addition of
traffic calming measures taken on 6th street. We do see a need for these measures to be taken
on busier streets/arterials like Olive and Babcock streets. We are willing to contribute toward
the cost of traffic calming measures on the busier streets perpendicular to 6th Avenue as part
of the renovation project or on sections of 6th street deemed to be a problem.
Those are our initial thoughts on the project.
Respectfully,
Gregory and Ann Peterson
-- Gregory Peterson
Phone: 406-551-5181