Staff previews downtown transportation feasibility study alternatives and survey results; council asks for crash maps and design details

Assistant Director of Planning and Public Works Andrew Silva briefed council on the downtown transportation feasibility study, reporting baseline data collection, survey results and early alternatives framing on July 20.

Silva said the online survey yielded 205 responses, 1,225 "safety pins" on the map and 133 written comments; key safety concerns included left‑turn failures (45%), aggressive driving (38%), speeding (35%) and distracted driving (32%). He described three alternative "bookends": Alternative A (safety first; lower speeds and ADA improvements), Alternative B (a multimodal Green Street Loop emphasizing protected bike facilities and wider sidewalks) and Alternative C (a higher‑investment option possibly involving private‑road acquisition to create connectivity). Silva said the study will select a preferred alternative after Phase 3 and further outreach, including in‑person and online open houses.

Council members asked for more detailed crash maps, clarification of bicycle facility types (separated paths vs. shared use), consideration of one‑way streets or pedestrian‑only blocks, and attention to corridors that bring people into downtown (Bridgeport, Gravelly Lake, 108th). Silva said the study is scoped to the downtown subarea (grant limits) but staff will document broader corridor needs and recommended next steps for grant or budget actions to widen the scope. The council directed staff to return with maps and local road safety analysis to inform countermeasure selection.