Laurel Streetscape Update

by Sheila D'Amico

The Laurel Streetscape project is on its way through the bidding process after being revised according to community priorities. Five crosswalks eliminated from the design are now reinstated, as is one traffic signal. Other design elements are to be included in bidders' proposals in priority order.

The project was designed with the primary goal of traffic calming for pedestrian safety and the vision of street beautification. It was projected to begin this fall and be completed in time for Christmas shopping. But, according to City Councilmember Jean Quan, Caltrans took longer than expected to do the EIR, refinements were made, including the elimination of five crosswalks, and when the bids came in, they were $250,000 over budget. Because the project went out to bid without the five crosswalks and other elements the community believed would be included, the cost of putting those elements back in raises the actual costs to about $350,000 over budget.

Quan presided over an October 20 meeting called to decide what elements could be eliminated to keep within budget. As envisioned, the design consists of Art-Deco-type arches on MacArthur Boulevard at both the High Street and 35th Avenue entrances to the Laurel, sidewalk bulbouts at major intersections, two new traffic signals, lowered street lights, street trees, benches, sidewalk repair, and enhanced crosswalks. Not visible but integral, the design also includes electrical wiring and irrigation.

Meeting participants expressed most concern with the elimination of the five crosswalks. Citing a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) report, traffic engineers said that unsignalized crosswalks on certain type streets are more of a safety hazard for pedestrians than no crosswalks. This report was the impetus for the elimination of the five crosswalks from the design, including existing crosswalks that would not be painted over but allowed to fade over time.

The report results seemed counterintuitive in a street design that was intended, as Maureen Dorsey had written in the August 2002 Metro, "to enhance pedestrian access in the area." But it was difficult for nontechnically trained community participants to argue with the traffic engineers over a report that most of the participants had not read.

Members of the Laurel Merchants' Association (LMA) and others who had been involved for years were also concerned that persons at the meeting who were new to the project might not be aware of the vision and the philosophy. Concern was expressed that the aesthetic design be recognized as a part of the traffic-calming elements. Quan partially reassured participants by expressing a belief that the new bids might come in with many design elements preserved. She thought that some of the original bids were inflated and might now be more realistic. Rather than call for another community meeting, Quan asked participants to rank elements according to priorities. The prioritized list showed retention of all the crosswalks as the highest priority. One additional traffic signal was a close second. Other elements were ranked in order and were to be incorporated when the project is resubmitted to Caltrans for clearance.

The LMA has been actively involved with Quan's office and the traffic engineers to refine the proposal. Lease Wong of Komodo Toys says she was gratified to see the meeting included persons who hadn't been involved before from not only Laurel NCPC and L-CAP, but Allendale, High St. and Melrose. "We've got a pretty cool place in the Laurel. Nothing much isgoing to get by us. People care about community. When it's really necessary, we all work together."

Arturo Sanchez, Quan's aide and point person for the Laurel, says, "The community can air concerns at our office." You can also speak with Lease for more information. The Laurel Streetscape design is posted at the Dimond Library. On the Web, Google "FHWA-RD-01-075" for the crosswalk report.