For your awareness: City Council approved the removal of parking and installation of bike lanes along both sides of Eldridge yesterday at their Committee of the Whole meeting. It was approved as a 'one year pilot.' For all practical purposes, my interpretation is that that removes some of the political heat from the decision, however, the chance that the decision will be reversed in a year is practically zero, especially given how unwilling Public Works has been to work with residents to discuss alternative solutions over the past six months.  

That's a stark reversal in momentum and stated direction by two Council Members we met with prior to the City Council Meeting on October 4th. It's also a stark reversal in direction as compared to the energy of the Council during the City Council Meeting on the 4th and two different Council Members' stated intents to find a compromised solutions following that meeting, such as removing parking from the north side of Eldridge, but not the south side.

My biggest disappointments in this process have been the City’s unwillingness to engage with the community to find worksble solutions, City Council's performative response to the community and their ultimate flip flop into alignment with the special interests of a bicycle advocacy group, and that special interest advocacy groups are given the power that they have in our City. As a life-long progressive, I'm starting to question how narrow single issue advocacy can damage the fabric of community and our ability to thrive as a community - which I believe needs to embrace diverse perspectives to be healthy. 

The good news is that Public Works has committed to installing four lighted cross walks along Eldridge between Laffeyett and Broadway, in addition to the light already at Broadway. Note that this wasn't part of City Council's vote, and although I believe that our work resulted in these additions, it wouldn't be accurate to give City Council credit for finding a compromised solution with these additions. 

Thanks to all of those who engage in making your voices heard, including 592 signers of a petition for something different (https://chng.it/nq9NcGTR Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for whatever reason.