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Brookings council opposes ODOT crosswalk at Warf Street, citing safety and business impacts
Summary
The Brookings City Council voted unanimously April 13 to authorize the mayor to send a letter opposing an Oregon Department of Transportation plan for a midblock crosswalk at Warf Street and Check Avenue, citing limited sight lines, sun glare, sidewalk/doorway impacts and potential loss of parking for downtown businesses.
The Brookings City Council voted unanimously April 13 to authorize Mayor Phoebe Pareda to sign a letter to the Oregon Department of Transportation opposing a proposed midblock pedestrian crossing at Warf Street and Check Avenue.
City staff told the council the proposed crosswalk raises safety and access problems in the corridor: a curve and seasonal sun glare reduce visibility for northbound drivers, the planned curb ramps would encroach on business doorways and reduce walkability, and on-street parking near the crossing could be eliminated. City staff said the proximity of the new crosswalk to existing downtown crossings could create traffic queuing and complicate pedestrian movement.
"There are visibility and curb‑ramp impacts here that could reduce accessibility for customers and create safety hazards," city staff said during the presentation. Staff noted project diagrams in the ODOT plans showing ramp landings near business entries and pointed to a prior ODOT relocation of another nearby crosswalk.
Councilors raised related concerns. Councilor Malber said the proposed layout did not appear well thought out and could worsen traffic queuing; another councilor urged clearer signage to guide drivers to public parking so pedestrians would not cross at uncontrolled locations. Several councilors also referenced an upcoming KDson traffic study for downtown that could alter future traffic flow and parking plans, and they said the crosswalk decision should account for that study.
Councilor Martin moved and a colleague seconded a motion authorizing the mayor to sign a formal opposition letter; the motion passed on a roll-call vote of 5–0 (Councilor Martin: yes; Councilor Fton: yes; Councilor Gelada: yes; Councilor Malber: yes; Mayor Phoebe Pareda: yes).
The council’s action directs staff to finalize a letter summarizing the technical concerns in the ODOT plans and to deliver it to the department as the city’s formal position. ODOT will retain authority over the project’s final design and schedule.
