We, the Citizens of the Grand Valley, call for the reconsideration and implementation of Phase 2 of the 4th and 5th Street reconfiguration for the safety of all local, traditional, and adaptive forms of transportation. 

The pilot project at 4th and 5th streets was a promising step towards restoring traditional and safe routes into downtown, while simultaneously enhancing the economic vitality of downtown Grand Junction. It represented a fiscally conservative and well-thought-out initiative for our community. It permitted budgeting for the hardscape improvements prior to costly construction, and enabled the community to perfect the corridor before hard investment was committed.

Abandoning this endeavor is a missed opportunity to refine and perfect downtown transportation, increase safety, and enhance to livability of our downtown neighborhoods. Abandoning Phase 2.0 is an impatient setback in our journey towards a more economically robust and safe urban streetscape. 

Phase 2.0 was intended to:

• Correct sight distance issues at known corners
• “Flip” Bike lanes and Parking South of Grand Ave
• Restore angled parking South of Grand Ave
• Reduce and remove more bollards and replace with roll-over elements with lower visual impact (as is already found at 4th & Gunnison)

Phase 2.0 changes will:

• Improve driver visibility 
• Decrease driver stops from people making parking maneuvers
• Improve driver comfort when parking
• Balance cyclist safety with transportation efficiency 

Based on data provided by City Staff, crashes on 4th and 5th Streets decreased by 63% after the pilot project was initiated.  Between 2016 and late 2023 there were 497 crashes which is about 5.2 per month.  There were also two fatalities.  

In the eight months since the project was initiated there have been 15 crashes, which is about 1.87 per month, and no fatalities.  This data was included in the packets provided to City Council on May 7th (page 4), and on January 13th (page 5 and appendix B).  

Designs for two lanes have already been developed for these streets through the public involvement and planning process.   The switch to one lane was made in response to concerns from the business community over the reduction in parking spots.

The City planned for two Pilot outcomes - success or “back to the drawing board”.  Two lanes certainly is a consideration but should be implemented after the one-lane option has been exhausted.   It would be negligent to blindly return 4th and 5th Streets to their pre-pilot condition, knowing that crashes will nearly triple.

Phase 2 allows the city to further evaluate and perfect downtown transportation options that will enhance and improve not only safety for all users but also provide a robust future for Grand Junction. 

We urge City council to vacate their previous vote and permit Phase 2 of the Pilot project to continue. By doing so, they would enable the community to experience, learn from, and improve upon what began as a visionary approach, that provides options to improve based on community needs.

Please lend your support by signing this petition to keep our downtown thriving and accessible to everyone. 

Please take the time to inform City Council in person by telling them your story on Wednesday May 21 at 5:30.

Finally, any money donated to Change.org to support the promotion of this petition on their website is not sent to the Grand Valley Streets Alliance. If you wish to support GVSA, please do so here:  www.gvstreetsalliance.org