The new development of the Bellwood Gateway Project is an exciting endeavor, especially as a Bellwood resident, to build two workforce housing apartment buildings on St. Charles Road. As a Bellwood resident and having driven down St. Charles Road numerous times, the attention to walking and pedestrian safety must be at the forefront of the project. We respectfully request the Mayor Andre Harvey and the Village of Bellwood act to install appropriate traffic signs within proximity to the apartments on St. Charles and 27th or 28th Avenue. We recommend flashing pedestrian crossing signs to promote the safety of current and future residents.

The buildings will contain businesses and stores on the lower levels with approximately 71 market rate units above. This will create a new influx of foot and vehicle traffic in an already high traffic area with no stop signs. It is imperative that there be safe areas for pedestrians to cross. The latest data from the Department of Transportation shows as of 2023, there is an average of 10,400 cars driving down St. Charles on a daily basis. These numbers can be expected to grow as the project aims to bring in working individuals with their families. Furthermore, an increase of the number of children potentially moving into the area is reason enough to create specific areas to cross. The closest established intersection, at St. Charles and 25th Ave, has pedestrian indicating lights and is approximately 0.2 miles, or a 4-minute walk away from the buildings. The intersection itself is not ideal for children to stand at either as it is a high traffic area where many trailers and large trucks go down the street, sometimes turning onto St. Charles, going over the curb. This, including many cars also going over the curb, is a safety hazard for children and their families as they walk. Normal pedestrian crossing signs are often ignored by vehicles, due to distraction or high speeds, so increasing pedestrian visibility by placing flashing pedestrian crossing signs will work to get the attention of drivers making them aware there is an individual waiting to cross the street. 

Mayor Andre Harvey and the Village of Bellwood, please help us to prevent accidents and promote the safety of current and future residents by installing flashing pedestrian crossing signs near the Gateway apartments.