HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-23 Public Comment - J. & D. Pague - West College Avenue - Speed Limit Signs, 15mph zones at Story Mansion Park, Southside Park, crosswalks and bike lane.From:Jeremy Pague
To:Agenda
Subject:West College Avenue - Speed Limit Signs, 15mph zones at Story Mansion Park, Southside Park, crosswalks and
bike lane.
Date:Monday, April 17, 2023 5:14:56 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello,
My name is Jeremy Pague and I am writing this email with my 9 year old daughter Delilah. We have lived at 209 W
College Ave for four years. In that time I have watched people speed daily up and down college, going well over the
25mph speed limit, most times easily in excess of 50 mph. My daughter and her friends play outside almost
everyday and we have taken it upon ourselves to make up some homemade signs telling drivers to slow down,
children at play, etc. It has done little as most of the drivers are on their phones, and the ones that do see it usually
give us the finger as they speed by, or the old coal roll.
I have spoken to Taylor Lonsdale in the Engineering Division and he mentioned there is a traffic study underway
currently to address the speed limits in different areas of the city. There are no speed limit signs on College at all,
not a one, nor are there crosswalks or a bike lane, even though it is used daily by pedestrians and bikers alike, and
college students heading to class. There are also two parks on College, Story Mansion Park and Southside Park,
which is used extensively during the summers for city programs, and of course the ice rink at Southside Park during
the winter. There is really no rhyme or reason why this situation hasn’t been addressed. I have personally attended to
a biker who was struck by a car that was speeding, who was ambulatory. Just today, as I was riding my bike down
college I was aggressively passed by a truck going at least 50mph who nearly hit me. I won’t dare let my daughter
ride her bike on College, and I am hesitant to even let her cross the street to play at Story Mansion, or walk the two
blocks to Southside by herself.
That all said, my daughter Delilah and I have spoken to most of our neighbors on College and are working up a
petition that they will all sign in support of putting up speed limit signs, lowering the speed limit in the areas of both
parks, and if possible putting crosswalks at the most used intersections and a designated bike lane. A sign similar to
the one at Cooper Park with the flashing lights and speed indicator would be ideal. My daughter and I, along with
some of the other parents with children who live along College would like the opportunity to speak at the next
council meeting if necessary regarding this issue. It is important for our children to understand that when they see a
problem, with a little action, something can get done. I am hopeful if these things are implemented it will encourage
people to slow down and increase pedestrian and bike traffic along College, which is certainly more desirable than
speeding automobiles.
Thank you for your time.
Jeremy & Delilah Pague