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Owner near 74 Warren Street asks board to study new crosswalk; staff say curb cuts and engineering study required
Summary
Property owner Suzanne Hoffman asked the board for a new crosswalk near 74 Warren Street to improve safety for seniors, children and Social Security visitors. Staff said a crosswalk is plausible but will require ADA curb ramps and an engineering study to determine the best location.
Suzanne Hoffman, who with her husband owns several buildings on Warren Street, asked the Board of Public Safety on May 13 to consider a new crosswalk near 74 Warren Street close to J Street, citing heavy pedestrian traffic from the Social Security Administration office, a dance studio and a senior center.
"By 4:30 these little ballerinas, 6, 7, 8 years old, their parents are parking on the street looking and walking them across the street," Hoffman said, and described regular crossings by seniors and people visiting the Social Security office. She said the nearest marked crosswalks are a considerable distance away and that existing crosswalk paint is faded.
Staff and traffic‑engineering representatives said a crosswalk could be added, but that curb ramps and clear ADA‑compliant landings on both sides would be required. They noted midblock crossings are feasible in some locations but that intersections—where curb cuts and ramps already exist—are preferable. The board agreed the issue warrants an engineering study and recommended staff explore curb‑cut work, ADA compliance and potential Community Development Block Grant funding as part of sidewalk or paving projects.
Board members suggested repainting nearby crosswalks and noted that an engineering warrant and exact siting will determine whether a mid‑block crossing or an intersection crosswalk is appropriate.
