FRANK R. LINDH
San Rafael, CA 94901
Telephone
E-mail:
February 6, 2023
Nhat Phan, Traffic Engineer
City of San Rafael
Via email to: [email protected]
Re: B Street Conversion to Two-Way Traffic
Dear Nhat,
I am writing to offer my comments on the B Street Conversion Project Update issued by the Department of Public Works on January 18, 2023. I appreciate this opportunity to comment on the proposal.
First, I want to express my gratitude to you and your colleagues at the City for the professionalism and thoughtfulness that went into the proposal. It is a wonderful starting point for a revamped and revitalized B Street – a street that contains some of the most historic and beautiful buildings in all of Marin County. This is an exciting and worthwhile project.
Second, I want to offer some suggestions for improving the proposal.
My primary suggestion is that the B Street proposal be redesigned to make B Street a great deal more pedestrian-friendly.
As you know, B Street is designated as a “Pedestrian Priority Route” in the Downtown Precise Plan. I sincerely hope that the City will fully embrace this goal in the redesign of B Street.
Specifically, rather than merely converting B Street to two-way, with automobile parking on both sides, as proposed in the January 18 Project Update, the City should take this opportunity to make B Street much more accessible and accommodating to pedestrians.
I urge you to please explore options such as widening the sidewalks, installing barriers between the street and the pedestrian areas, and installing seating and fashionable lighting that complements the historic nature of the neighborhood.
This will help inject new energy into this somewhat neglected sector of San Rafael. By making the experience more pleasurable for pedestrians, the Project will draw more foot traffic into the area, which in turn will help the local businesses.
Nhat Phan, Traffic Engineer
City of San Rafael
February 6, 2023
There is ample covered parking nearby in the City-owned garages, so there is not a good reason to give priority to preserving street parking spaces along B Street. Instead, priority should be given to improving the experience for pedestrians and bicyclists.
What we have here is a once-in-a-generation opportunity here to bring renewed vitality to historic B Street. Please do whatever you can to improve the pedestrian experience as you consider a new design for B Street.
Thank you for your attention to these comments.
Warm regards,
Frank R. Lindh