buzzGaining Insight on the Hilltop
Over the past weeks there has been growing concern, discontent, debate and discussion on the proposed changes to the Hilltop and specifically a section of West Broad Street through the Highland West neighborhood. I’ve tried to speak on the broader topics of bikeways, education and awareness and alternatives that could be a solution both here and elsewhere. I’ve chosen to speak this way as I did not have a full understanding of the issues this specific section of Columbus is facing nor the work energetic and active residents are doing. In an effort to better understand these issues, I reached out to the Highland West Neighbors Association and offered to stop by and listen to their concerns. Ricardo Mendez took me up on the offer and invited me to spend the morning touring the neighborhood and highlighting the issues with himself, Geoffrey Phillips (President of the Highland West Neighborhood Association) and several others who stopped in along the way.
Rather than try to editorialize my tour today, I believe pictures will paint a better picture of their concern and the issues this neighborhood is facing. Both expressed their desire to include all manners of transportation as their neighborhood redevelops. Proponents, they suggested, could have seen a more positive outcome through open communication and engagement of the businesses and residents.
This is looking east along Broad. The church along the right hand side is around the point the proposed bike lane ended. At that point the speed limit is 40-45 MPH.
Most of the side streets along this stretch are off set, creating another potential issue with bike lanes. According to Geoffrey, traffic enforcement is an issue here. The car, parked in the crosswalk, had been their since yesterday with no ticket.
Another view of the offset side streets. One of the concerns here is the conflict with the one way streets. The desire is to see these converted so that the street would continue either one way south or one way north instead of the current configuration.
Safety is a concern in the neighborhood. After parking restrictions are lifted in the evening most residents move their vehicles to Broad Street. Broad Street is considered safe with drugs in the south alley and prostitution in the north. This was the only light in this portion of the alley between the two streets. Throughout the tour these were sarcastically referred to as bug lights and highlighted the need for better lighting throughout the neighborhood.
An obvious lack of understanding is present when we compare the Hilltop Mobility Plan study team’s map of off street parking alternatives to the reality on the street. All of these are in the alleyways north and south of Broad.
All the lots marked on the parking map are privately owned and there is an understanding that lot owners do not want the liability of public parking. Most have serious need of repair and resurfacing to make them viable parking space. Most are along the alleyways and pose serious safety considerations.
You can make out the private parking sign on the brick wall to the right. The lot would seem to make an ideal space for alternative parking, aside from the private parking issue.
As we turn, however, we notice a makeshift memorial to a murder victim. Across the street is the scene of another murder.
As we continue, we find another proposed parking solution. This is currently parking for residents of the apartments with no room for additional vehicles.
Another issue is access along the alley to these parking alternatives. Here we see ice already building from a drain pipe just ahead.
Another private lot suggested as an alternative. This one is unpaved with gravel and grass.
Some of the proposed alternatives to on street parking are active businesses, reliant on the lot for traffic.
This parking lot is on the map of alternatives.
And another. This business has been in the neighborhood 50-60 years.
The second half of my tour was a short walk along a portion of the Sulivant Trace Trail from Holton Park to Rhodes Park. There is some discussion of extending the trail from Holton along the rail tracks. According to my guides it sees little use and seems to be a hidden gem of the west side.
I thank Ricardo and Geoffrey for hosting me today. The tour and their conversation helped me see some of the issues the residents are facing. Though one must be a resident of Highland West to vote on issues, their association is open to all. Visit them at Highland West Neighbors Association for more information on their activities and meeting times.
If you are a member of a neighborhood association and would like to discuss cycling issues in your community, please contact Andrew at: awhulvey@yaybikes.com
Outstanding and informative advocacy work. Kudos to Ricardo and Geoffrey for the information.
Andrew,
Your efforts to get more information on the reality of the parking situation on W Broad are appreciated. Just looking at the map of off-street parking on the Hilltop Mobility plan was not sufficient. Thanks to you, Ricardo and Geoffrey for the time you spent and for documenting your work in pictures.
They would love to get more people out. Let me know if anyone is interested in their own tour and I can make the arrangements.
Thank you everyone for your kind words. I just want to state that we ARE NOT against anyone who bikes! If fact, I founded the “Earth Club” at W.V.U-P. whether or nor not it exists to this day, I don’t know. We welcome everyone at the Highland West Neighbors Association or http://www.hwna.net. We recognize that “youth” will be a key player in this area! Our “Great” Grand parents moved to this area in the 20’s. It was their “youth” that made a change! I’ll be 39 years old on the 19th of December. I found Highland Village which in turn changed to Highland West. I was able to save the Old fire station. I founded the WOWE block watch (Wayne, Oakley, Wheatland and Euraka) If I alone can make all these changes, imagine what the next generation can do! I moved here from West Virginia almost 10 years ago. I feel I love with the people from Ohio and Columbus! I’ve lived in Mexico, W.V. and Texas and this is by far the best place to be….go buckeyes! I am proud to call Highland West my home! I honestly believe we can make this area the best area in Columbus! I’ve meet a lot of good hard working people who care about their neighborhood. Black or White, rich or or poor, we want diversity! These are the elements that made this a Great Nation!and we the HWNA believe this will even make us a great neighborhood! We are doing something that no other neighborhood in Columbus has done. We are opening our arms to everyone!
Greetings, Ricardo! There’s a forum thread on this here: http://bit.ly/4T2Yiw (short link). Welcome to Yay Bikes!
Yes, welcome. I look forward to working with HWNA. Let us know about the honey suckle removal, it might help get some new people aware of that trail.
Will do.
I told my mom to keep me informed of the honey suckle removal, it needs to go. It needed to go back when I was in high school. I do appreciate, Andrew, you taking the time to check out my old neighborhood. I think the view from “an outsider” is good and shows a bit of what is really there, from an unbiased view. My mom was very impressed that you were out there. It showed that Yay Bikes! isn’t one of the bad biking groups and that people are really willing to listen. And, it makes sense what we are saying. They don’t hate bikes. There are just other things that need to be delt with first. And that bike lane out there, is awesome! Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
lifeontwowheels: I attended the hilltop mobility meeting last week so I’d be interested in getting a more detailed, personal tour of the area, if you’re still interested in setting something up. Let me know and thanks in advance
I’ll pass it on to the folks at HWNA that there is some interest.
Another thought I have been toying with is a west side bike tour, like the Gears and Gardens tour Yay Bikes! did with the American Community Garden Association. We could start in Franklinton and go through Highland West, Westgate and the general Hilltop with the various associations showing us points of pride, revitalization and infrastructure issues.
“Another thought I have been toying with is a west side bike tour, like the Gears and Gardens tour Yay Bikes! did with the American Community Garden Association.”
I like this idea. I’d be willing to play
I would like to see development of the side streets combined with bike paths in the Hilltop. I feel that the opposition to bike paths on West Broad Street, combined with the lack of space for paths or combined facilities precludes development of bike lanes on Broad Street, except for those areas where they are absolutely necessary. There are plenty of side streets in the older areas of the Hilltop, that combined with paths and access to state land, such as the MRDD property at 1601 West Broad Street, could reduce or eliminate the need for bike lanes on West Broad Street. I would be interested in identifying and developing these resources.
A good start would be the Sulivant Trace Trail (I can link to my map if anyone needs a reference) which currently goes between Rhoads and Holton parks for about a mile. I’d have to study the area more but quick glances at the map show some tie ins with potential signed side streets out of the park. There is also some potential for tie ins to the Scioto/Olentangy paths.
Not the most ideal but not all that inconvenient for those not quite ready to brave a 45 MPH stretch of freeway off/on ramps.
From HWNA:
“The Columbus Transportation and Pedestrian Commission has scheduled a neighborhood meeting and walking tour for Thursday, January 7, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Baptist Church youth building located at 2500 West Broad Street. The purpose of the meeting and walking tour is to gather additional community input regarding bicycling, pedestrian, and parking issues for West Broad Street from Clarendon Avenue to Harris Avenue as part of the Greater Hilltop Community Mobility Plan and resurfacing efforts.
Commissioners and other participants will meet to discuss these issues at 5:00 p.m.; the walking tour will begin at 6:00 p.m.”
I will make every effort to attend that. Since I usually commute on that stretch of Broad four times a week, I think I can provide some “pedal perspective.”
I’ll be there as well, though it will probably be more in the role of being a silent observer to the process.
Kathy Hoke, a Hilltop resident, has started a new blog called West Side Story. Here’s her announcement:
After a three-day “soft” release of my new blog, West Side Story, I’d like to invite everyone with an interest in West Side news and issues to take a look. I’m motivated by a desire for positive, progressive change and for an opportunity to share information about our amazing cultural, economic and human assets. My background in newspaper journalism will be useful in many aspects of this project. Your suggestions are welcome.
http://westsidestorycolumbus.wordpress.com/
Kathy
Last week’s T&PC walking tour was cancelled. Here’s the latest I heard about rescheduling:
The West Broad Street meeting and walking tour will be rescheduled for sometime this month; we will advise you as soon as the date is set.
Also, the regular meeting of the Columbus Transportation and Pedestrian Commission, scheduled for Tuesday, January 12, has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9 at 5:00 p.m., 109 North Front Street, Ground Floor, Room 100.
I heard of the initially cancellation, it was then (apparently) rescheduled for tomorrow (1/12) and then cancelled again.
THE NEW DATE IS THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010 5-7 PM. BE THERE!!!!