FOCUS - Friends of Concord / United South End

FOCUS Supports South End Neighborhood Traffic Mgmt Plan

Letter to City Manager 5/22/03

FOCUS

FRIENDS OF CONCORD/UNITED SOUTH END
www.focusconcord.com
P.O. Box 600
Concord, New Hampshire 03302-0600

May 22, 2003
Duncan Ballantyne, City Manager
City of Concord
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Dear Mr. Ballantyne:
Residents of the South End, and members of FOCUS, wish to inform the
City and staff that we support the South End traffic-calming recommendations
produced by traffic expert Michael Wallwork, as set forth in his report entitled
"South End Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan", dated May 2003.
FOCUS requests the City to support and implement these specific
traffic-calming measures. The "horizontal deflection" elements of Mr.
Wallwork's recommendations are critical to the success of traffic-calming in the
South End. FOCUS agrees with Mr. Wallwork's conclusion that there will be no
effective traffic-calming without traffic deflection.
We urge the City to give immediate priority to the proposed
traffic-calming improvements (a) along Broadway from Broad to Carter Streets;
(b) on Broadway at Pillsbury and Allison Streets; and (c) at the student
crosswalks on South and Carter Streets in front of Conant & Rundlett Schools.
We also endorse the long-term traffic-calming improvements near the "BC/BS"
building and McKee Square. While we recognize budgetary constraints may require
a phasing-in of some traffic-calming measures in the South End, it is fiscally
responsible for the City to implement several traffic-calming improvements at
this time during the re-paving projects in the South End.
Please keep in mind that it was the City that sought-out and requested
organization, cooperation and coordination from citizen groups such as FOCUS.
South End citizens have now devoted substantial time, energy, money, and
enthusiasm into holding two public workshops on traffic-calming, obtaining and
producing a nationally known traffic expert, working with 2020 on funding
endeavors, and canvassing the South End neighborhood for support and
endorsements for working with the City on this important traffic-calming project
in the South End.
These specific traffic-calming recommendations represent the vision and
desires of a broad spectrum of South End residents. The recommendations have
undergone an exceptional amount of community examination and community process
at our two spring workshops. We responded to meet the City's schedule for
decision-making on these issues, and we elicited the type of community response
and citizen input that the City invited and requested.
FOCUS is a voluntary group of South End residents who have devoted
significant time, energy, and personal resources to making this important
community response happen. We believe that we have performed professionally and
competently. Now, FOCUS stands ready to finish the process with plans in place
for educating and gaining support for these traffic-calming plans before City
Council.
There is no disagreement that South End residents, especially our
school and younger children, face unacceptable daily hazards from heavy and
ever-increasing traffic flow on South End streets. Speed limits, ordinary
traffic laws (including respect for crosswalks), and trucking prohibitions are
routinely violated in this densely populated, family-oriented part of Concord.
These hazardous conditions are exacerbated by the existing street designs.
Guidance from around the country is clear - well-executed traffic-calming
measures reduce traffic and pedestrian hazards; and safeguard children,
pedestrians, and drivers.
FOCUS encourages the City to support and implement the recommendations
provided by Mr. Wallwork. FOCUS is willing to help in planning, research,
meetings, and community discussion that will assist the City achieve these goals
for the South End. We look forward to working with the City and staff in
completing this worthy plan.

FOCUS Coordinators

Heidi Douglas Judy Dickinson Randy Raymond Charlie
Bauer Michael Tardiff



cc: Mayor Donovan; Bill McGonagle; Doris Ballard; City Councilors; 2020 - John
Swope, Howard Moffett; Michael Wallwork; Roger Hawke; Chief Pope; Phil Bilodeau;
FOCUS members