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Council discusses reducing Main Street lanes and expanding downtown parking options; ODOT stripe support reported
Summary
Councilors and downtown stakeholders discussed converting Main Street from four travel lanes to three (one each direction plus center turn lane), angled or other parking changes, and ODOT’s potential role in striping; a working group was proposed to study options.
Baker City — City staff and councilors opened a broad discussion about safety, parking and economic activation on Main Street, including options to reduce travel lanes, reconfigure parking and pursue ODOT assistance for striping work.
Staff noted that Main Street currently contains four travel lanes and that the configuration allows higher vehicle speeds through downtown and makes crosswalks lengthy and uncomfortable to traverse. Several councilors and business owners argued that reducing lanes to one travel lane each way with a center turn lane (a “road diet”) would lower speeds and make crossings safer while also creating space for improved sidewalks or more parking. The executive director of Baker City Downtown, Eric Wigbrand, said his group’s survey showed mixed views about angled parking but broad support for lane reduction. “Of the 4 emails I received this morning about, a feedback, 2 were in favor of angle parking, 2 were not, but everyone was in favor of, reducing the lanes,” Wigbrand said.
Some councilors and downtown business owners urged the council to be bold, noting examples where angled parking increased downtown parking capacity and pedestrian engagement. Others raised concerns about backing into traffic and sightlines, risks during winter snow removal, and the need to balance resident permit parking and disabled spaces.
Council action: The council agreed to convene a working group including city staff, council representatives and downtown stakeholders to develop options, and staff said they will reach out to ODOT about striping assistance. No change to lane striping or parking was adopted at the meeting.
Next steps: Staff will form the working group, collect traffic counts and survey data, coordinate with ODOT on feasibility and design, and return with recommendations and potential pilot options for council consideration.
