Actually the initial plans were for a 8 feet planting strip and a five foot sidewalk. Making the sidewalk go 2 feet beyond the 11 foot right a way. I did strongly suggest cDOT stay in the 11 foot right away, and not push the walk back 13 feet from the curb on the inside edge.
However with that all said I Second your LIP SERVICE comment. They don't know if they are pitching or catching in my opinion. They can't even follow the written policy they said they had to follow at the public meeting. I was under the same impression as you about what was said on the planting strip this time at the public meeting. Lets hope we can at least count on them not knocking down our trees.
I truly believe the CITY needs to take a close look at some of the areas of CDOT. Not all of them....but people need to be able to trust what they tell us. They are indeed some at CDOT that truly try to do the right thing and help the community especially guys like Terry Von Cannon and Chip Gallup. You can read the online minutes and see how they always are working to help the entire area on traffic issues/signs/ and traffic calming. I do have to defend them.
Time and Time again CDOT has assured one thing is going to happen, and then it turns out it is not the case. If the community really only knew a small portion of what really has been said and done over the last 4 1/2 years I think they would be shocked. I personally don't even want to think about it anymore. Gives me a huge headache!
I know this because I have seen it played out. I was doing the minutes back 4 1/2 years ago so much of it stuck in my head as it played out. Judy Bratton knows pretty much the same as she was a player in a lot of it, as well as a few at CDOT. I doubt that even most of the City Council even knows the history, and I mean the full history, of the project. I have a feeling CDOT perhaps has been playing both sides against each other all along. The side for walks and the side against.
Just this one project for instance in 7 months since CDOT announced plans again they have changed their mind on the scope of the project 4 times. First the entire route, then leaving the last block off saying the were going to make that block petition as a tier 4, then deciding that was wrong and saying they had to do the entire route per policy and council, and now without explaining leaving the last block off again. Which I was told was the results of Vivian Coleman and Danny Pleasant with CDOT deciding it was not worth fighting over any longer for it to be included. So those in that last bock can thank them for not including you if you did not wish for the walk. These are the same two people that told everyone they had no choice but to follow the policy are the ones that all of a sudden apparently decided to drop the last block!
It in my opinion this has all been a game. 7 months of headache. They knew all along what they were and were not going to do.
Furthermore I said all along the sidewalk would be going on the North side of the street. Why because 4 1/2 years ago that was the side chosen. Why on earth would it not go on the side chosen back then since that would be the least expensive to complete. CDOT basically wasted public funds pretending to be looking at both sides of the street and marking both sides.
Anyway just my 2 cents worth. I am sure some are happy and others are not about the outcome. I know because I have listened to both sides and have heard from some of you for over 4 years on this issue. I know of a few people that were against the project that will end up with a walk in front of their home. Almost makes it look like CDOT and the City values some citizens more than others to me, but again just my opinion. For those of you that are indeed going to be in that situation I hope that it does not turn out to be as bad as you think!
Overall I think the sidewalk will add value to our community and will be nice once it is all said and done.
