Map of the Area

Report from July 25 Monroe Commons meeting

Ken Golden, Dave Keller, & Representatives from KBS (construction) met with a group of the immediate site neighbors to discuss construction.

This was an informational meeting only. The point was to let the neighbors know what to expect with respect to noise, parking, traffic, etc. associated with construction.

Another meeting, or series of meetings, will be held to discuss issues arising from the completed development (e.g., traffic calming). Stay tuned for more information.

Major points from the July 25 meeting:

∑ Construction hours will be 7 am to 3:30 pm M-F (standard city policy)

∑ Site workers have been asked not to park on Monroe St. or neighborhood streets immediately adjoining

∑ Construction will last approximately 12 months.

o The first 5 months will involve demolition, excavation, and foundation work

∑ West Lawn between Harrison & Spooner will be reduced to 1 lane. Traffic will be one way Eastbound (no parking).

o After the first phase, a second lane for parking will be opened on West Lawn. Traffic will remain one-way.

o For the duration of construction there will be no parking or pedestrian access on the Monroe Commons sides of Monroe St. and Harrison St.

∑ The pedestrian crossing and crossing flags at Harrison & Monroe will be moved to the west side of the intersection (Strictly Discs side). Ken will look in to having that crosswalk repainted with stripes.

∑ A crosswalk will be established at West Lawn and Spooner (N. side). Ken will look in to a temporary STOP sign for South bound Spooner St. traffic.

Although the primary focus was construction related issues, we did learn several things about the development plans.

∑ There will be a narrow (2ft) pedestrian refuge on the E. side of the Monroe/Harrison intersection

∑ Bump-outs are planned to narrow the crossings of Harrison St at West Lawn & Monroe. The bump-outs make for shorter crossings.

∑ Traffic calming solutions will wait until Spring 07. Construction will finish and there will be time to observe the traffic effects of the development. The developer has provided $20k for traffic calming.

∑ There are no plans to address the Spooner/Grant/Monroe intersection

There was strong sentiment that the neighborhood should be involved in planning the traffic calming measures and should not wait until Spring 07. At a minimum we expect to hold meetings to discuss traffic issues and possible solutions as the construction proceeds. Independent of the Monroe Commons development, the 1900 block of West Lawn was rated the city`s number 1 priority for traffic calming measures. Thus the neighborhood can expect to have considerable resources devoted to traffic management in the area.

Last but not least, The Dardanelles Restaurant will be hosting a DEMOLITION PARTY Thursday, July 28^th from 5-9 pm. Come and raise a toast to the old and welcome the new.

Created 7/25/05