From: Jason Purdy
To: CityCouncil-List; City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Bike lane on grand st
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 4:38:18 PM
i wanted to strongly voice my approval for alternative 1 of the safety improvement plan. I live at san jose and grand st with two little kids who love to bike, this will be a big improvement! From: Shane Tzen
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Updated Design for the Grand Street Safety Improvement Project Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 4:27:17 PM
Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Daysog, and Members of the City Council, I am writing this in support of the approval for the updated design for the Grand St. Safety Improvement Project. While there are always compromises inherent in such a project, I believe the #1 alternative that is recommended by the city staff for a continuous two-way bikeway from Clement to Shore Line is an important step in helping Alameda improve street safety and to implement its Active Transportation Plan and to improve transportation choices, access, and safety for everyone.
Please approve staff's recommendations to implement & fund this project as soon as practicable. We would love to see Alameda as an example of government transportation projects that can be quickly built to improve the city and the lives of its citizenry.
Thanks,
Shane
From: Carol Gottstein
To: City Clerk; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Trish Spencer; Malia Vella; Tracy Jensen Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Agenda #7C: Grand Street Design Approval Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 2:19:40 PM
Attachments: 18 July 2023 City Council Agenda #7C Grand Street Design Approval.docx Dear City Council and Staff Members:
Attached is a 2-page Word document containing my comments for Agenda Item 7C, Grand Street Designs. Please add it to tonight's 7C Correspondence file.
Thank you,
Carol Gottstein
510-930-4471
1 18 July 2023 City Council Agenda #7C Grand Street Design Approval.
Dear City Council Members and Staff:
For 50+ years, I have lived on the East side of Grand Street between Encinal Ave and San Antonio.
I have followed this project since I was notified by mail about it on November 20, 2021. I have participated in workshops, filled out surveys, and submitted written comments to all council and commission meetings (Disability, Transportation).
Tonight’s meeting also marks seven months since I submitted my Request for a Residential Disabled Parking Zone (RDPZ) in front of my house to the City of Alameda Public Works Desk, in Dec 2022.
The City of Alameda has not yet responded to my request, except to apologize for no response.
I’m glad tonight’s agenda item recommends setting aside “all prior decisions” as described. Tonight’s decision seems to come down to Alternative #1 or #2.
Unlike the previous designs, these Alternatives have not been reviewed by the Commission on Persons With Disabilities (no June 2023 meeting).The Staff-recommended Alt #1 appears to explicitly discriminate against disabled parking on the east side of the street. Per Staff Report (Alt#1):
“Since there is no change to the curbs and parking lane on the west side of the street, on-street parking for people with disabilities can be designated on the west side of the street with minimal changes. On the east side of the street, disability parking could be added with modifications to the curb and two-way bikeway at the designated location.”
But I live on the East Side of the street. DP spaces on the west side of the street won’t be safely accessible to me. I already have an undisputed ongoing physical disability which prevents me from riding a bicycle or getting out of the way of one. I did not need a special parking accommodation in front of my house before this project was proposed, because the unmarked parking lanes are currently the ADA-required 8 feet wide. Both alternatives will narrow the parking lanes to 7.5”, technically narrower than both state and Federal ADA minimums.
After the Nov 2022 approval of the previous design for this project, I submitted an RDPZ application to Alameda Public Works because I was afraid of losing the ability to park within a safe distance of my front door. I was verbally assured at these workshops by the contractor that my request will be accommodated in the final design. It appears that there is a tacit assumption that RDPZs in front of existing residences will just be “shoehorned” into the proposed design, without anyone doing the actual drawings and calculations to see if they fit.
Under Alt #2, staff report says “adding disabled parking on Grand Street would be difficult”. But it would be equally difficult for both sides of the street, and thus it would treat both sides of the street equally and fairly, without discriminating against disabled persons living on the east side of the street.
Remember that this entire project removes the existing ADA-compliant 8” wide parking to begin with!
2 Alternative #! Is being heavily pushed by staff without any evidence of consultation with ADA experts.
Simply telling the public that the City “has an ADA consultant” is hand-waving at best. The City’s previous record on ADA compliance has not been timely.
For example, the Veterans Memorial Building hasn’t been made ADA compliant, although the City- wide report on ADA Compliance was prepared for the City in 2008.(Sally Swanson Architects)
Without conceptual drawings, it is hard to see how the two-way bikeway of Alternative #1 is going to smoothly be interrupted by the occasional RDPZ. If you are going to select a design tonight, please resist staff pressure to favor only one side of the street and select Alternative #2.
Thank you for your consideration,
Carol Gottstein
1114 Grand Street, 94501
18 July 2023
From: Robert Prinz
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Subject: Item 7-C: Grand Street Safety Improvement Project and Allocation of Funds Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 12:01:37 AM
Attachments: 2023-07-17 Bike East Bay Alameda Grand St council letter.pdf Please accept the attached letter on behalf of Bike East Bay with regard to the July 18, 2023 Alameda City Council meeting, Item 7-C: Grand Street Safety Improvement Project and Allocation of Funds.
Thank you,
Logo Robert Prinz | Advocacy Director
Pronouns: he/him
Mail: PO Box 1736 Oakland, CA 94604
Office: 466 Water Street Oakland, CA 94607
P: (510) 845-7433 x5 | E: [email protected]
BikeEastBay.org
July17,2023
Subject:Item7-C:GrandStreetSafetyImprovementProjectandAllocationofFunds HonorableMayorandCouncilmembers,
OnbehalfofBikeEastBay,IamwritingtoexpressoursupportfortheGrandStreet“Alternative#1:
Raised2-wayBikeway”,whichisalsothetoprecommendationfromcitystaffandendorsedbyour friendsatBikeWalkAlameda.
Giventhatthisprojecthasalreadybeendelayedbeyondtheestimatefromthepreviouscouncilvotein Novemberwefeelthatspeediscriticaltorollouttheseupgradesandhopefullyavoidanyfurther tragediesalongthecorridor.TheRaised2-wayBikewayisamongtheoptionswiththefastestdelivery, providesalow-stressandall-agesdesignexperience,andwithahighlevelofprotectionandconsistency alongthecorridortohelpimproveeaseofusebybikeridersandawarenessfromdrivers.
Raised,protectedbikewaysareanexcellentoptiontohelpprovidemorecontinuousprotectionevenin areaswithhighnumbersofdriveways.TheyarealreadyinuseinmanyEastBaycommunitiesincluding Emeryville,Albany,Fremont,Livemore,SanPablo,andrighthereinAlameda,withanotherontheway soonjustacrossthebridgeonFruitvaleAveinOakland.Two-waycycletracksarealsoverywell representedintheEastBaywithover20alreadyinstalledandmanymoreplanned.
Oneaspectofcycletrackdesignthatrequiresspecialattentionisatintersections,eithercontrolledwith stopsigns/signalsoruncontrolled,tomakesurethatbiketrafficcanproceedstraightthroughormake turnsinalldirectionssafelyandconvenientlywithoutconflictingwithothervehiclemovements.These aresolvabledetails,andBikeEastBayisavailabletohelpprovideexamplesfromsimilarprojectswith otherjurisdictionsifneeded.
Thankyouforreceivingthiscorrespondence,andpleaseletusknowhowwecanbeofassistance.
Sincerely,
RobertPrinz
AdvocacyDirector
BikeEastBay
POBox1736,Oakland,CA94604
510845RIDE(7433)•[email protected]
From: John Brennan
To: CityCouncil-List; Lara Weisiger
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Grand Street Improvements
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 9:32:28 PM
Dear City Council,
We want to send our family’s perspectives on the proposed changes to Grand Street.
We believe either Alternative 1 or Alternative 2 will work and enhance the safety of Grand Street for all modes of transportation. Of the two, we prefer Alternative 2, as we believe bike lanes on both sides of the street that follow the direction of automobile traffic will make it easier and more natural for motorists to look for and see cyclists when turning in and out of driveways and side streets.
We also believe having a consistent approach on Grand Street from Otis through Clement is safest and easiest for cyclists and motorists to follow. We also support the current design for Grand adjacent to Wood Middle School and Rittler Park.
If we were designing from scratch, we find Alternative 3 to be the best. But given the built infrastructure and the expense, this seems unworkable.
We want to thank the City for revisiting the design of Grand Street, and feel these current Alternatives represent a very positive step.
John and Jean Brennan
From: Grand Street Neighbors
To: CityCouncil-List; Lara Weisiger
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Grand Street Improvements
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 9:30:36 PM
Dear City Council,
Our neighborhood group, Grand Street Neighbors, supports the new plans being proposed by the City of Alameda for Grand Street. Specifically:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1) <!--[endif]-->We believe having a consistent approach for the sections of Grand Street between Otis and Clement will create the safest environment for all modes of transportation.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2) <!--[endif]-->With believe either Alternative 1 or Alternative 2 will work.
--[if !supportLists]--> a) <!--[endif]-->Some of us prefer Alternative 1 because it would a. provide a continuation of the 2-way bike lane in front of Wood Middle School and b. would cost less and c. leave slightly more room for the bicycle buffer zone and for automobile traffic and parking lanes. --[if !supportLists]--> b) <!--[endif]-->Some of us prefer Alternative 2 because it is a. more intuitive for drivers and safer for both cyclists and motorists because people backing out of driveways and turning at intersections would encounter bicycle traffic moving in the same direction as auto traffic, and b. from an esthetic standpoint it is more balanced. <!--[if !supportLists]-->3) <!--[endif]-->To enhance pedestrian safety and reduce speeds, we believe either Alternative can be enhanced by flashing markers for pedestrian at cross walks.
We further believe that 4 way stop signs at the two busiest intersections between Otis and Encinal, San Jose and Clinton, would further enhance safety by slowing traffic and ensuring pedestrians are seen at these busiest intersections on this section of Grand. <!--[if !supportLists]-->4) <!--[endif]-->We further support the plans for Grand Street from Otis to Shoreline, adjacent to Wood School and Rittler Park. We believe these plans will coordinate well with either Alternative 1 or 2 and will facilitate and encourage students cycling to school.
We want to thank the City for creating these new alternatives that increase safety for all modes of transportation and preserve the usability of Grand Street for residents.
Grand Street Neighbors
From: Robert Farrar
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Alameda City Council Agenda 7-C
Date: Monday, July 17, 2023 8:01:40 AM
Hello, I would like to have this email sent to all city council members and the mayor.
I ride my bike all over Alameda. I don't have a problem with riding my bike on Grand St. the way it is configured today.
Changing Grand St. will end the beautiful setting of this magnificent street. Everyone that lives on Grand St. along with everyone that lives within two blocks on either side will be impacted by the lack of parking. It's nice to dream of a day with no cars, but the reality is cars are here for the next 100 + years. Please think about the residents, please think about the people that have to drive daily on these street, think about the people that come in from other areas and are confused and angry about the lack of parking to visit friends.
If this project is approved, then the only option that is viable is the one with the least loss of parking spaces.
Thank you.
From: Josh Wyen
To: CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Writing in support of proposed bikeway on Grand St Date: Thursday, July 13, 2023 3:09:56 PM
Dear Councilmembers and Staff,
I'm writing a brief note to support increasing bike safety and environmental health by providing protected bike lanes on Grand St. I'm a frequent rider and my children will likely be using this corridor as they get older. I've been really encouraged by the Mayor's actions on this route (especially when they were in question). I would encourage other council members (Trish and Tony especially) to revisit their oppositions, but I know they likely have their agendas already set.
Thank you!
Josh Wyen
From: Cyndy Johnsen
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: Jennifer Ott; [email protected]; City Clerk Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7-C (Grand Street Safety Improvement Project and Allocation of Funds) Date: Thursday, July 13, 2023 10:07:44 AM
Attachments: 7_18_23 CC Comments Grand.pdf
Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Daysog, and Members of the City Council, We hope you will consider our comments regarding item 7-C on Tuesday's City Council agenda, attached.
Thank you,
Bike Walk Alameda
(510) 516-0497
P.O. BOX 2732
ALAMEDA, CA 94501
www.bikewalkalameda.org
Board of
Directors
Denyse Trepanier
President
Brian Fowler
Treasurer
Tim Beloney
Secretary
Cyndy Johnsen
Board Member
Maria Piper
Board Member
Lucy Gigli
Founder,
non-voting
July 13, 2023
RE: Item 7-C: Grand Street Safety Improvement Project and Allocation of Funds Dear Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Daysog, and Members of the City Council,
Grand Street is a vital corridor in Alameda, and we're very eager to see it improved for all users as soon as possible. We share the preference of staff and the Transportation Commission for Alternative 1 — the raised, continuous 2-way bikeway on the east side of the street — for both Segments B and C. The design’s bike signals, dedicated bike signal phasing, and raised crossings go a long way in addressing our concerns about intersection safety for bicyclists. And we’re reassured to hear about plans for maintenance of this facility, since path maintenance is currently a big issue elsewhere in Alameda.
We also strongly support staff’s funding recommendation, because it will reduce the implementation time of this important and already-delayed project by several years at least. Our climate and street safety emergencies are not waiting for us, and we feel it’s imperative to get infrastructure that allows people to make greener and safer transportation choices built as quickly as possible. Grand, and specifically Segment B, is a critical piece of the Low Stress Backbone Network defined in our recently-adopted Active Transportation Plan, and the sooner it’s in place, the sooner we’ll all benefit. Every day matters.
Staffing, contractor, and process enhancements other cities have adopted could speed implementation further. We urge you to work with the City Manager to explore and implement those strategies. We have a backlog of other delayed transportation projects around Alameda that could benefit from these changes as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
Bike Walk Alameda