- Galveston business owners told City Council Oct. 2 they hope the preliminary design for the corridor’s revitalization doesn’t use this concept map as a starting point.
It’s only been a month since the City raised the ire of Galveston corridor business and property owners with a bridge closure that limited access to businesses and diverted traffic onto neighborhood streets. But last night, the Council approved, with the hesitant blessings of stakeholders, a contract to draft a preliminary design for the corridor’s revitalization.
The design contract with HDR Engineering, which comes with a nearly $190,000 price tag, is the first official step in advancing the Galveston Corridor Improvement Vision — a collaboration between the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and Galveston business owners that began in January 2011.
Though that process was sparked by requests for improvements made by a group of property and business owners in 2010, some neighbors voiced skepticism about the current concept map and the potential impact of the nascent revitalization effort at the Oct. 2 meeting.
“My interest was peaked this time last month when Galveston Bridge was closed,” said David Gurule, whose wife Ida is the master baker behind Ida’s Cupcakes. “The impact of major construction was very clear to me when I could take a nap on Galveston at 11 o’ clock in the morning in the middle of the street because there was no traffic.”
He emphasized the importance of a preliminary design not using the concept plan map as a starting point.
“Several issues were raised in the concept plan that pose serious problems for our business,” Gurule said, including plans for a mini-roundabout at the end of the bridge (and the bridge closure required to build it) and the removal of the left turn lane in center of street.
He added that because the concept plan was drafted before plans for the OSU-Cascades campus or new NW Crossing developments were in the works, it fails to take into account their likely significant impact on traffic in the corridor.
Westside Tavern owner Nicole Weathers added that the area business have been engaged in their own revitalization process for years, and wondered if the money might be better spent completing projects already in the works, such as finishing sidewalks.
“This is a street that is already going in the right direction on its own,” Weathers said. Speculating that the process would require three plans, she added, “For $600,000 we can finish what business owners have already started. It seems like a lot for a plan.”
Councilor Doug Knight agreed and said he would want a minimalist plan to be considered.
“What would that cost?” he asked. “If it’s less than $600,000 I can weigh the cost/benefit of that.”
Transportation Safety Advisory Committee Chair Nick Arnis stressed that the project depends on the support of neighbors and businesses and would not move forward without a buy-in from the community.
The Council voted 5-0 to approve the contract, with Councilor Mark Capell recusing himself because his brother works for HDR and Councilor Sally Russell recusing herself because she owns property in the Galveston corridor.
This article appears in Oct 3-9, 2013.
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Wow, the hysteria coming out of some of these Galveston business owners is unbelievable.
The Ida’s Cupcakes guy claims a roundabout at Harmon and Galveston poses “serious problems” for his business? How? That intersection is a disaster for pedestrians. I can only buy more cupcakes if I am able to cross the road.
But best of all – better even than the 10 Barrel owner Wales claiming he needs to lay people off while he opens another pub in Boise – is Westside Tavern owner Nicole Weathers claiming that her business has been engaged in “revitalization” efforts. What has she done besides inviting thugs and drug dealers to come hang out on Galveston and get drunk? Please.
Putting an island in the road will prevent traffic from crossing over into business parking lots unless at intersections. I foresee a lot of u-turns clogging up traffic. Generally, islands are used on wider thoroughfares with larger buildings (ie office parks/malls) that have joined parking lots/garages.
If they took out all the parking lots and access to parking lots from the main street – turned them into key hole gardens, parks, or outdoor dining extensions – then this design would make sense.
This street can be greatly improved for everyone. There are a more than a few street-front properties that are in need of upgrading. I would certainly believe more trees and less emphasis on cars should also be considered. In light of this street being in close proximity to the upcoming university a thoughtful plan for Galveston is appropriate.