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Traffic study recommends signals at Franklin & Water; council divided over pedestrian impacts and circulation
Summary
Mobility staff recommended adding pedestrian signals on Franklin Street at Water Street and at the Greco Plaza crossing to reduce conflicts between vehicles and event pedestrians; council members and residents urged more study of longer-term parking and circulation fixes.
Mobility staff presented a study on Feb. 6 recommending new signalization at two downtown pedestrian crossings — Franklin Street at Water Street (near Harbour Island access) and at the Greco Plaza crossing — to reduce vehicle‑pedestrian conflicts that occur during special events.
What staff presented
Brandon Campbell of the mobility department said the study (prepared with Stantec) evaluated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) signal warrants and observed pedestrian volumes during events, including a preseason arena game and a convention event. Staff said the recommended signalization would separate pedestrian movements from vehicle phases, provide detection and timing so Franklin could remain green when no conflicting demand exists, and move the vehicular queue upstream to better organize arrivals off Harbour Island.
Council and public concerns
Speakers during the meeting — including Harbor Island residents and multiple council members — questioned whether two closely spaced signals (roughly 250 feet apart) would create congestion, whether a mini-roundabout or 3/4-way stops might be preferable, and whether parking distribution or larger convention‑center design changes would be more effective. Several council members said event parking and queuing patterns — not just the intersection geometry — drive much of the pedestrian-vehicle conflict and suggested longer-term fixes (additional parking structures, convention center access revisions) while expressing skepticism that adding signals would solve the root problem.
Costs and reversibility
Staff estimated design and installation of the two signals at roughly $500,000; signal timing can be adjusted if problems emerge, and infrastructure can be removed, though costs differ. Staff said counts used in the warrant analysis were taken after 2020 and reflect a conservative baseline that now likely understates current pedestrian activity.
Why it matters: Franklin Street is a key node for hotel, convention and event pedestrian flows; any changes affect downtown circulation and Harbor Island access. Council did not take a vote; members requested further consideration of alternatives and additional outreach to stakeholders before committing to construction.
Ending
No immediate action or vote occurred at the meeting. Mobility staff said they would continue to refine alternatives, timing plans and public outreach materials and return with proposals for council consideration.
