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Students’ safety proposals prompt quick town response; several low‑cost improvements planned
Summary
Patterson Christian Academy students presented pedestrian‑safety recommendations. Town staff told trustees some high‑priority, low‑cost items — signage, targeted crosswalk lights and a CDOT school‑zone evaluation request — can be implemented this year within existing funds.
Buena Vista — A student project from Patterson Christian Academy prompted the Town of Buena Vista trustees on April 8 to review a set of pedestrian‑safety suggestions. Town staff told trustees several immediate, low‑cost measures could be implemented quickly and that larger infrastructure items will be evaluated for future budgets.
What students proposed and staff response Students presented a 12‑point list (staff summary) that included immediate fixes — such as repainting crosswalks, replacing a stolen speed sign and adding temporary speed tables near River Park — and longer‑term infrastructure like bulb‑outs or median pedestrian islands. Public Works and police staff reviewed each request and recommended a staged approach: - Immediate actions (2–3 months): replace tamper‑resistant speed signage, add targeted signage and temporary measures such as removable speed bumps in low‑plow areas; staff said budget lines can cover many of these items. - Intermediate (this year): crosswalk lighting on U.S. 24; the town has signed a memorandum of understanding with CDOT, which has ordered parts and will install selected lights. - Long term: more costly pedestrian islands and curb rework (estimated as higher‑cost capital projects and subject to budget review).
School‑zone evaluation request to CDOT Town staff initiated a CDOT school‑zone traffic evaluation for several school stretches of U.S. 24 that could result in reduced posted speeds during flashing school‑zone hours. Staff cautioned that state speed studies can sometimes increase an official speed limit if average traffic speeds are higher than posted limits, so the evaluation is being pursued with targeted timing and community input.
Why it matters Trustees and staff emphasized that student engagement is a valuable civic process and that quick wins help build trust. Several trustees asked staff to involve students in post‑installation checks to quantify before‑and‑after effects.
Next steps Staff plans to implement items classified as immediate within existing budget lines, coordinate with CDOT on crosswalk lights and return to trustees with a budget estimate for larger capital projects; staff also said it would invite the students to help evaluate results.
