tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64209258018929826422024-03-12T18:28:30.020-07:00Walk The WashA project to make the community of Mission Hills safer and more beautiful.Gary Nordstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626483513545223729noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-46312713249637780532015-01-23T13:06:00.001-08:002015-01-23T13:48:29.816-08:00The Impact of Bike and Pedestrian Pathways to Our Real Estate Values<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last night Mike Zdon, President of Mission Hills Town Council, presented an overview of the bike lane project to the Board and Membership of the Mission Hills Heritage Foundation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One area of concern was about impacts to real estate prices, so I thought I'd provide some research studies and articles to understand the value of improved bike and pedestrian pathways to our community. To summarize, the articles and studies below show:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A home's value increases anywhere from $4,000 to $34,000 when bike and pedestrian infrastructure is introduced to a community</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Urban home buyers are willing to pay $20,000 more for a home in a walkable area </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Urban home buyers ranked bike paths as their third most desirable feature</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Realtors see bike and ped pathways as a selling feature for homes, so homes on bike routes sell faster, and for higher prices</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When people realize they don't have to solely rely on a car to get around, they are more likely to pay a higher price for the home</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, bike and pedestrian paths create a much stronger sense of community, which is a major benefit to home-owners as it makes them safer places to live, again contributing to increased real estate values.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />List of studies and articles I refer to: (there are many more online)</span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.fehrandpeers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Appendix-5-Benefits-Research-Technical-Memorandum.pdf (see pages 10 and 11 for economic impacts.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets/complete-streets-fundamentals/factsheets/economic-revitalization</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2013/08/08/bike-lanes-property-values-is-there-a-correlation.php</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://sites.udel.edu/dct/files/2013/10/Rpt.-188-Bike-Paths-1wthsln.pdf</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.marinbike.org/Resources/EconomicBenefitsOfBicycling.pdf</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />In addition, here are further benefits we did not cover last night at the meeting, but which undoubtedly will have a positive impact on our community and therefor each of us as individuals:</span><br />
<ol><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">If employees who work in our area can safely bike to work, it will open up more parking for those of us still driving. (Think of what more parking could mean to those living by the hospitals, and closer to Washington, University and our local downtown area of Goldfinch.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">University Ave in Mission Hills has many condos already, and it is where many of our starter families live, many of whom have young children. Closing University to cut-through traffic will make it safer for their children, and provide an improved lifestyle for them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Same can be said of providing a pocket park for them at the end of the street where the ramps are. (Have you seen those views of the canyon, by the way? Spectacular!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When residents spend less on auto gas/maintenance/insurance, etc. they have more discretionary income to spend, which could translate to local businesses.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe MHH and MHTC designated our community's portion of University Ave as a density area for the plan update. If that is the case, we can expect more cars in our community in the future as more condos are built along University. Adding bike and ped pathways would mitigate the need for short auto trips by those who purchase homes there, keeping overall traffic from increasing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I personally suspect that if we close both ramps, it will obviously no longer be the cut-through area people use to get from the airport to North Park (for example,) but more importantly, commuters will be forced down onto the freeways to get where they want to go, further freeing up our community from traffic.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Traffic in Mission Hills is really only at rush hour. Most of us know to stay off the roads at that time, so as individuals we are not really affected if we are not driving at that time. </span></li>
</span></ol>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>At the end of the meeting, the Board of MHH decided to wait for further information on SANDAG's traffic studies, and also to ensure the project is included in our plan update, so it get's the proper review needed. Sounds fair to me.<br />
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-30359173878115618722014-12-10T10:06:00.002-08:002014-12-10T10:06:25.417-08:00Our Community Wants Full Closure of Washington/University Street Ramps to Cars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Busy, busy here - hence not a lot of time to B L O G, but I did want to quickly post our letter we sent to SANDAG earlier this month. In it we followed up on our desire for full closure of the University ramps at Ibis/Washington.<br />
Our community has wanted these ramps closed for decades, and the Mission Hills Town Council has been actively talking about it for at least 10 years. We feel we finally have a way to do it, given the needs of the bike project.<br />
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What is not stated in the letter below is that more than 80% of the traffic on these ramps is cut-through traffic! EIGHTY PERCENT!<br />
<br />Here is our letter:<br />
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<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>November
20, 2014<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Mr.
Muggs Stoll<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Department
Director (Land Use and Transportation Planning)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>SANDAG<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>401
B Street, Suite 800<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>San
Diego, CA 92101<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>RE:
Updated Information on Uptown Regional Bikeway and Mission Hills Town Council
Recommendation for Full Closure of University Avenue at Ibis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Dear
Muggs:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Thank
you for copying the Mission Hills Town Council (MHTC) on your Washington Street
Analysis completed at the request of the Hillcrest Community Collaborative
(November 4, 2014).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>This
work completes a request the MHTC made to SANDAG on March 17th, 2014 (letter
attached-item#2), that additional analysis be completed on shifting traffic
from University to Washington. We concur with the analysis and are on record as
supporting the University alignment.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>The
second part of the request was to review whether partial or full closure of
University would be preferable for the bike project. After reviewing traffic
data provided by SANDAG over several meetings with various groups the MHTC
voted on November 13, 2014 to<b> recommend
to SANDAG full closure of University Avenue at Ibis.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i>We
support the full closure based on the following:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Washington Avenue can accommodate, with minimal
impact, the added traffic from the University ramp closure at Ibis.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="margin-left: 13.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 13.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -13.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The remaining local level of traffic from
Albatross to Ibis (less than 3000 ADT) is more compatible with the SANDAG
target bike population (people interested in biking, but concerned about
safety). <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Historically, it brings the section of University
from Albatross to Ibis back to a neighborhood street (formerly called Douglas)
as it existed pre-1946. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>We
appreciate SANDAG’s continued transparency on this project, the many public
outreach meetings and willingness to review the J.T. Frost Placemaking
concepts. The Town Council looks forward to an early implementation of this
important alternative transportation project.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Sincerely,
<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mike
Zdon</span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Mike
Zdon<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>President
MHTC<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>707
738-9984<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><a href="mailto:mikezdon@aol.com"><span style="color: #071455; mso-ansi-language: #0400;">mikezdon@aol.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Attachement:
Mission Hills Town Council SANDAG/City of San Diego Letter March 17, 2014<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>cc: Hon. Jack Dale (Chair SANDAG)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> Hon. Todd Gloria (Council President)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Beth Robrahn (SANDAG)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Adriana Martinez (City of San Diego)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Susan McNeil Schreyer (MH BID)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Barry Hager (MHH)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Marlon Pangilinan (City of San Diego
Planning Department)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Elizabeth Hannon (Uptown Parking
District)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="BodyA" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> Leo Wilson (Uptown Planners) </i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-52781357800908748572014-04-26T10:09:00.001-07:002014-04-26T10:25:10.421-07:00Bike lane blacked out!Ok, I'm calling, "foul"! <div><br></div><div>Tomorrow being Earth Day, a couple of us decided to hold a cleanup on Washington Street. We set up around 8a.m and got going on picking up all the litter. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Qr1kMoRGBts/U1voTSmRjWI/AAAAAAAACS0/U1eBxsqpT4w/s640/blogger-image--1716375343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Qr1kMoRGBts/U1voTSmRjWI/AAAAAAAACS0/U1eBxsqpT4w/s640/blogger-image--1716375343.jpg"></a></div> <br><div>As more people showed up, one noticed how the bike lane sign in the street at the corner of Washington and India had been blacked out. </div><div><br></div><div>Who approved blacking out the bike lane sign on the road? Clearly the sign posted on the right says this is a bike lane, yet someone has had it painted over and one can only assume someone at the city approved it. <div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGg81cifV7o/U1voUQZek3I/AAAAAAAACS8/2Ks5L_KlIVk/s640/blogger-image--1348629351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGg81cifV7o/U1voUQZek3I/AAAAAAAACS8/2Ks5L_KlIVk/s640/blogger-image--1348629351.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Who is responsible for this?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">You can see the paint used to be there. Now it's painted over!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IWZE016XqLg/U1voVBw-QOI/AAAAAAAACTE/2Cq3Lk-AETk/s640/blogger-image-815556030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IWZE016XqLg/U1voVBw-QOI/AAAAAAAACTE/2Cq3Lk-AETk/s640/blogger-image-815556030.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Why would someone do that? And again, who decided to do it? And more importantly who approved it? Is parking really more important than the lives of our community?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We already know people travel way too fast on Washington, but to purposely make it more unsafe for those who commute by bike on it is unconsciable! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our cleanup was successful. Here's just a portion of the trash that went into the dumpster. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WnqWcBkK6H8/U1vrvECVJ0I/AAAAAAAACT0/8ozHoIv85RY/s640/blogger-image--414180473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WnqWcBkK6H8/U1vrvECVJ0I/AAAAAAAACT0/8ozHoIv85RY/s640/blogger-image--414180473.jpg"></a></div><br></div></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0Midtown San Diego32.743406 -117.180974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-35240248207917917922014-04-09T09:26:00.002-07:002014-04-26T10:24:39.281-07:00Mission Hills Town Council Supports Bike Lanes<strong style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">An excerpt from the Mission Hills Town Council's recent newsletter:</strong><br>
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></strong>
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"Our Support for Bike Lanes</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Mission Hills Town Council recently sent </span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_lZtMmwi5SXd0tJcTN3R2xhUEE/edit?usp=sharing" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">a letter of support</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> to SANDAG and our Councilman Todd Gloria, in support of SANDAG’s bike corridor expansion project. A portion of the lanes will be on Washington Street canyon, and University. This project will expand the transport options for our community, and will be a huge benefit to us as density increases in the future. We have asked SANDAG to prioritize safety and for as much lost parking as possible to be mitigated. The project is still in the design stages, and we will send future updates."</span><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br>The newsletter also <a href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=60eda3aadfc17001e6b5a19bc&id=e37ace02e7" target="_blank">includes information about the City of San Diego's new bike sharing program.</a></span>Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0Midtown San Diego32.743402 -117.181267tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-70545772264409125272013-11-14T15:19:00.003-08:002013-11-14T15:19:46.707-08:00Test track for Washington Street?There's already a bike lane on Washington Street. Unfortunately it's been taken over by parked cars from either employees of the many restaurants and bars in Five Points, or guests coming to the area for some of the greatest wining and dining experiences San Diego has to offer.<br />
<br />Now, there's a new bike track called <b>The Flow</b> from <a href="http://www.copenhagenize.eu/flow/index.html" target="_blank">Copenhagenize</a> that allows cities to test out bike lanes without committing to changing their infrastructure. <br />
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I found and article extolling it's virtues on Fast Company: <a href="http://www.fastcoexist.com/3021509/lego-like-bike-lanes-that-snap-into-place-could-create-instant-biking-cities" target="_blank">Lego-Like Bike Lanes That Snap Into Place Could Create Instant Biking Cities</a>.<br />
<br />Maybe we need a test track on Washington Street and the surrounding areas?<br />
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-31960865321886906012013-09-07T14:01:00.001-07:002013-09-07T14:01:35.689-07:0010 Opportunities for parking in the very crowded Five Points area of San Diego<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theboulevard.org/Images/Parking/Head-In-Parking-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.theboulevard.org/Images/Parking/Head-In-Parking-2.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head-in parking can help create more space in the area of Five Points, San Diego.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Despite it sitting right
next to the I-5 freeway, and despite it being a tiny strip of (mostly) historic
buildings, the area known as Five Points in San Diego is a HUGE destination for
locals and beyond. It's marginalized setting belies its attraction points;
it is an area that many people travel to from all over San Diego county, and in
fact, the world. This is because it has some of San Diego’s oldest and most
famous wining and dining spots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">To wit, many people say
that as soon as they land at San Diego's Lindbergh field, they bee-line
straight over to Five Points for either the <a href="http://www.el-indio.com/" target="_blank">rolled tacos at El Indio</a>, or a
<a href="http://www.regalbeaglesd.com/" target="_blank">craft beer at the Regal Beagle.</a> Others say they want fresh Pacific
seafood from Blue Water Grill, and still others say they are craving the
<a href="http://www.saffronsandiego.com/" target="_blank">chicken from Saffron Thai</a>. Yes, it's pretty much San Diego's International Restaurant Row!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">So, at certain times of the
day, especially on weekends, parking is absolutely horrendous. Frankly, the
area becomes one giant parking lot. Both the volume of parked cars, and
then the circling traffic looking for parking makes it like the <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=costco+mission+valley+google+maps&fb=1&gl=us&hq=costco+mission+valley&cid=0,0,13995931885410681459&ei=T5MrUvPoLcaiiQLJ84HIDg&ved=0CKUBEPwSMAs" target="_blank">COSTCo/Ikea lotin Mission Valley</a>. And of course this parking-lot-atmosphere gives one a
sense of more marginalization, and quite degrades the entire neighborhood,
which is the gateway to Mission Hills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">One time my parents who live in Scripps Ranch drove
over to meet me on a late Sunday morning. They had been in Coronado at
dog beach and fancied some oysters at <a href="http://bluewaterseafoodsandiego.com/" target="_blank">Blue Water Seafood and Market Grill. (Their seafood is very FRESH!)</a> They
swung by and picked me up in Middletown. We drove along India, looking
for parking. It was probably 1pm. There was NOTHING.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We circled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We circled again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">And then circled again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">After about 20 minutes, we
decided I'd drop them off, and return home to park the car and then walk back
to meet them. I did, and the parking problem was solved. Essentially no parking = walk, if you live in
Middletown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">But what if you don’t live
close by? What if you were driving in from Poway, or from the mesa of
Mission Hills or Hillcrest? What if you had just landed back in San Diego
after being out of the country?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I posed that question to
some friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Poway friends said,
'well because it's so far, we would probably just keep circling until we found
something.' This was pretty much what I expected. As pointed out
above a lot of the traffic conditions in the area are made up of drivers
circling, waiting for parking spaces to open up. This creates a lot of
unnecessary traffic, air pollution, noise pollution, danger for pedestrians and
drivers, flared tempers etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The locals from up on the
Mesa of Mission Hills said, 'we don't go. It's too hard to find parking.'
They added that if they are really craving San Diego's best gelato, they
'strategically go'. In other words, they go off hours, or place an order
for pick-up so they can run in and get it. This is what I do too. I
only ever agree to meet friends in the area during non-peak hours, and if it is
peak hours, I suggest somewhere else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My friend who works for the
Marines, and lives in Indonesia said he'd park way up in the neighborhood and
walk into Five Points. (He’s a lifelong fan of El Indio’s Mexican food and it’s
his first stop every time he comes home!) That’s pretty typical too. The residents in the surrounding area have
long complained that the overflow from Five Points impacts them negatively,
affecting their own parking abilities. I
mean, how do they invite guests over when there’s not parking?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Long story short: parking
is bad in Five Point. Having safe bike
lanes leading in and out of the area will mean local people will travel by
bike, freeing up parking spaces. And,
business will increase because more people can get there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">If I were a business in
Five Points, I would want the City to maximize parking by doing 90-degree
head-in in the following areas:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chalmers (both
sides, 2 blocks)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">California (as much
as possible, both sides)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Winder (both sides,
1 block)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Columbia street at
the top of Chalmers intersection</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">I would also like
to see head-in </span><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">parking</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> all
the way along India to Glenwood on the east side. This would calm traffic
as it would narrow the lanes. (And I would put a STOP sign here
too, but that is for another post.)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Beyond head-in parking opportunities, there
is room for a 'striped </span><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">parking</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> island'
on the corner of Winder and Columbia,that if done right could allow for 2-4
more cars.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">On the corner of
Glenwood and India, there is a used car lot. Someone on the BID should find out
if that is private or city land. If it's City land, the BID should buy
him out of his lease, and work with the city to get a parking lot built there.
(In my opinion.)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Next to the Shell
on India, before Upas, there is another empty lot that could be built out for
parking.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Again, the local BID could work
with the City to put something there.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">If
anything, the parking created could be simply for employees of the area who
represent a huge amount of the required parking spaces</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">I thought this one was smart, and it is not my idea; it actually came to me by way of an Urban Planner. The area at the
base of Washington on the north side, across the street from the Palomar Market
parking lot to the east, there is a pump station for storm water.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">There is a lot of very nasty invasive arundo
growing here.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">I think this area is a
prime area for a parking lot also.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">It
would probably require an elevated metal structure over the pump station, or maybe
we could just put in bioswales to capture storm water on India to eliminate the
pump station, but it could easily fit 5-8 cars in this area.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">I am not sure how cars would access it –
perhaps through the Palomar lot, or perhaps a small road could be built off
Washington, but again, it’s a great spot for employee parking in the area.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Last, but not
least, there are private businesses in the area who are not open for business on
the weekends however could open up their lots to the public for parking. On the
corner of SD Avenue and McKee, there is a lot with 30 spots, that could easily
help with overflow from the Five Points area.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Overall,
it would increase business right away. In
the long-run, due to growth, and density planning, parking spaces would end up
filling up again, but maybe by then better public transport options would be in
place? The valet parking currently in place is working extremely well. (One biz owner mentioned it had increased their business 20-25%!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Obviously,
the bike lanes will help too. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-17567701990598193542013-09-04T13:49:00.002-07:002013-09-04T13:49:26.464-07:00Support for bike lanes growing in Uptown.<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a great turn-out in support of the Bike Project last
night at the Uptown Planners meeting. It was standing room only, with two extra rows of chairs to accommodate everyone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A few highlights:</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It was standing room only, and the <b>crowd was
overwhelmingly in favor of the bike project.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The President of the Hillcrest BID said that if
this project was going to happen, they wanted it to be a <b>world-class project,
with all the features and benefits other cities have; that we should be a
model!</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A woman who’s a resident of Hillcrest, pointed out
that DC and Denver where she’d previously lived had <b>great bike lanes, making it
safe and easy to get around</b>.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">She said
San Diego needs to step up and act like the size city it is, meaning, we can’t
act like we’re a little cow town anymore.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Bike lanes are what transform cities allowing for more growth, more
density, and better livability.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Cashbah’s publicist was completely in favor
of it, because she knows, there’ s no parking around them, so anything that
offers <b>new ways to bring customers to their events is good for business.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A local resident and cyclist who commutes
through Uptown brought up a<b><a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/2013/09/more-bikes-means-more-business.html" target="_blank"> few academic and business studies that show bikelanes bring more business to communities.</a></b></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">He also reminded everyone we have entered a new era, and that the old
model of traditional car-centric community focus is over.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">There’s simply no more room to plan around
cars.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Another </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">local resident on the Mesa in Mission Hills,
was in support of the project, but wanted to make sure Washington Street was
safe; he said <b>he and his wife would more likely walk down to Five Points more
for dinner or drinks if it was safer.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I spoke about making it a <b>green project </b>to help
stop polluted water entering our creeks and bays; I also talked about<a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/2013/09/travel-speeds-on-washington-street.html" target="_blank"> the speedstudy</a> which had audible gasps from audience members.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Clearly this project will bring
much-needed calming to Washington.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, over 20 people spoke, with only a few dissenters
who mostly lamented the loss of potential parking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those few dissenters made their points.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One guy said that cycling is for white people
only. I didn’t catch it entirely, so
feel free to comment with what he actually said. But the representative of Center City
Advisory Group who has attended all of SANDAG’s bike project meetings cleared
that up for the crowd and pointed out that studies show minorities often don’t
have the extra funds to operate a car, and that biking allowed them to get to
jobs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another couple said that narrowing Washington Street canyon’s
lanes might be challenging for ambulances.
Her point was that it might be harder for her to pull over. I see what she’s saying, but frankly we pull
over in traffic in crowded busy streets now, and yes, it’s hard to turn your
steering wheel for sure. BUT we do it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A manager of an apartment complex in Five Points read a
letter from a resident saying that there is not enough parking now, and that
any loss of parking will be even worse.
He’s right, but I think it’s also important to consider parking from the
standpoint of availability vs. convenience.
Parking will still be available.
People may just need to walk further.
That is a hazard of density.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another woman pointed out that some funds should be used for
parking. I wanted to explain it’s a bike
project, not a parking project. And, for
the umpteenth time that parking will actually open up if people can get there
via bicycle safely.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five Points folks, (some of them Board members,) pointed out
the loss of parking also; that if there was reduced parking, then their sales would
be reduced, and sales taxes to the City would be less. One person even considered some businesses
might go out of business. His fears are
unfounded though –all studies point to increased business. And Beth, the project manager from SANDAG has
said she will get the parking in Five Points figured out. I trust her to keep
her word.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One Board member
pointed out that if we want an environment like New York City, which is known
for density and biking, then we should all go live there. This seemed slightly ridiculous. From a literal standpoint it’s very disrespectful
towards residents who value our community and want to see it grow and thrive to tell them to leave. Secondly, given that he sits on a land-use and planning
board that is about to approve increased density all over Uptown…. I mean, can
we arguably approve density without approving alternate modes of travel? What exactly does he think parking will be
like in a few years when density really hits?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you think? Can
we allow for increased density, but not allow for alternate modes of travel? Does density planning automatically mean alternate travel modes must be considered? Or do we just keep approving density without
considering alternate forms of transport? I'm not an expert, so please enlighten me.</div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-9775624109716249992013-09-03T12:37:00.002-07:002013-09-03T12:37:32.400-07:00Travel speeds on Washington Street reach 70 mph!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_GjdYzGinA/UiY40kcS4QI/AAAAAAAACL4/4pUSzSdKOCY/s1600/Washington+Street+canyon+speeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_GjdYzGinA/UiY40kcS4QI/AAAAAAAACL4/4pUSzSdKOCY/s320/Washington+Street+canyon+speeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington Street is constantly busy, and 45% of drivers are traveling at speeds over the legal 45 mph.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier this year, we were curious as to what actual speeds
on Washington Street Canyon are. We
asked the City to do a speed test by putting those little speed tracks across
the road. The results were eye-opening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve posted the detailed <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_lZtMmwi5SXV0Iya0gzUVllcTg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Washington Street speed data</a> on line so you can print it
out to see it, but here are a few highlights:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>27,773 cars use the canyon on a daily basis</b> in
and out of our community. This was a staggering amount of vehicles.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The posted speed limit is 45mph. <b>The average speed was 55 mph.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> </b></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>740 cars traveled at speeds of 60-69 mph.</b> This is equivalent of driving on the freeway!</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">And <b>28 cars traveled at more than 70 mph! </b></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Surprisingly, it made no difference to speeds
whether people traveled uphill or downhill.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Travel during off-peak hours was much higher
than expected; in fact the <b>off-peak volumes were actually higher than regular
travel times. </b></span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clearly speeds on Washington Street are too high, making it
extremely unsafe to walk, bike, or park on the road, especially when it is so
busy. I have had so many friends tell me they have tried to walk it but turn
around because they were too afraid. A car driving within a few feet of you at 70 mph would do that!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though there is a sign posted to only cross at the
crosswalk, I have watched families park at the bottom of Washington and India,
and then try to get across the north side of it it to go to a restaurant. They have to hop the median, which is fairly
narrow at that point, but still, in flip-flops carrying a kid, it’s not
easy. If more than 750 vehicles are
traveling over 60 mph, it’s just a matter of time before someone else is
injured or even killed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been told that accidents are a regular occurrence at
Washington and India as cars heading
west and then south onto India are regularly hit by speeding cars
heading east at that intersection. I’ve
heard it happens every week. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we had trees planted in the median, narrower lanes as
proposed by SANDAG’s bike project, and grade elevated bike lane and pedestrian
path, it would slow cars down, and the road would be a much better connector between the mesa at the top,
and the area of Five Points at the bottom. More people would feel safe traveling it whether on foot, or by bike.</div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-74394613153488382382013-09-02T15:50:00.004-07:002013-09-02T15:50:47.531-07:00More bikes means more business.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>$$$$$ </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Studies show that bike lanes not only improve livability for
communities, but also increase business for retailers within that community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For one, people who travel by bike are more likely to stop
and patronize a business, because parking’s so easy. A bike rider can always a place to lock up a bike,
whether it’s a tree, or a rail or a fence. In the case of the Five Points area, bike access will increase
business for all retailers, restaurants, and bars in the area. Secondly,
as anyone who rides a bike knows - whether it’s for commute, leisure, or exercise - stopping
is often part of the goal. Perhaps you need
to do an errand while on your commute, or perhaps a place looks so inviting,
stopping for a cold beer or a sandwich or a coffee, is exactly part of
the whole point of traveling by bike. The
fact is, it’s simply easier to spend money when access is easier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll say it again: there’s no parking in Five Points and most
of Hillcrest now. I’m sure we are going
to squeeze out a few more spots if we work with the City to do head-in 90
degree angle parking in Five Points, but then what? What will we do as we add more density to our
communities? Where exactly will all
these additional cars park? Adding more parking when there is no space to put it is
simply not an option. The key is to act
now, and embrace bike and pedestrian access to mitigate density impacts that
are coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some very good studies and articles that show bike access is
great for business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/370893" target="_blank">http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/370893</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.lrrb.org/pdf/200450.pdf">http://www.lrrb.org/pdf/200450.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1155cc;">htt<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/business/bike-lanes-may-benefit-small-businesses-1C7488581" target="_blank">p://www.nbcnews.com/<wbr></wbr>business/bike-lanes-may-<wbr></wbr>benefit-small-businesses-<wbr></wbr>1C7488581</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/how-bicycling-is-transforming-business" target="_blank">http://www.yesmagazine.org/<wbr></wbr>happiness/how-bicycling-is-<wbr></wbr>transforming-business</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2013/08/08/bike-lanes-property-values-is-there-a-correlation.php" target="_blank">http://atlanta.curbed.com/<wbr></wbr>archives/2013/08/08/bike-<wbr></wbr>lanes-property-values-is-<wbr></wbr>there-a-correlation.php</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://momentummag.com/features/the-rise-of-the-north-american-protected-bike-lane/page-8.html" target="_blank">http://momentummag.com/<wbr></wbr>features/the-rise-of-the-<wbr></wbr>north-american-protected-bike-<wbr></wbr>lane/page-8.html</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://streetsblog.net/2013/08/13/further-evidence-that-road-diets-dont-hurt-businesses/" target="_blank">http://streetsblog.net/2013/<wbr></wbr>08/13/further-evidence-that-<wbr></wbr>road-diets-dont-hurt-<wbr></wbr>businesses/</a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/08/05/in-vancouver-traffic-decreases-as-population-rises/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Streetsblog+%28Streetsblog%29" target="_blank">http://dc.streetsblog.org/<wbr></wbr>2013/08/05/in-vancouver-<wbr></wbr>traffic-decreases-as-<wbr></wbr>population-rises/?utm_source=<wbr></wbr>feedburner&utm_medium=email&<wbr></wbr>utm_campaign=Feed%3A+<wbr></wbr>Streetsblog+%28Streetsblog%29</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/safety/safety_economicimpact.html">http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/safety/safety_economicimpact.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/econdev/docs/impact-bicycling.pdf">www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/econdev/docs/impact-bicycling.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.maine.gov/mdot/opt/pdf/biketourismexecsumm.pdf">www.maine.gov/mdot/opt/pdf/biketourismexecsumm.pdf</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"> I
particularly liked this one, because it shows how cities in Colorado used bike
trails to lure tourists in non-skiing months. Now
we have pretty good weather year round in San Diego, but are we a cycling destination when
getting around is so unsafe? Probably not. So bike lanes will likely give us one more reason for vacationers to come for a visit, and increase overall spending. </span><a href="http://www.americantrails.org/resources/economics/biketourismcolo.html">http://www.americantrails.org/resources/economics/biketourismcolo.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-8347469165367520432013-08-31T10:09:00.001-07:002013-08-31T10:09:05.832-07:00Mission Hills residents can show support for bike lanes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dontblockthebikelane.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/3017017-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://dontblockthebikelane.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/3017017-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We can show support for SANDAG's <a href="http://www.sandag.org/index.asp?projectid=353&fuseaction=projects.detail" target="_blank">bike project</a> at the Uptown Planners meeting next <b>Tues, 9/3</b>. </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
If you have not yet told your friends and neighbors that we are finally getting safe bike lanes through-out our city, now is the time to! </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
We are still very much in the concept phase, but it is crucial to make sure our voices are heard so we get a world class project implemented. Key issues are safety, connections, and access.</div>
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<div>
Here is the <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/1V_JTewqzaCqOGSsO8Dq8fm8XBiU3NyPrlUt-IP8x0y01OhaTv_RI8Rs0ORZA/edit?usp=sharing" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">agenda for the Uptown meeting</a> which starts at <b>6pm</b>. Please note there is a map that shows you where to go. (<b>Next Trader Joe's</b>.)</div>
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See you there!</div>
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-25566197866943191622013-08-27T15:40:00.003-07:002013-08-27T15:40:48.175-07:00Five Points BID meeting<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You're invited!</b></span></h2>
<br />
Calling all residents: there's a Five Points BID meeting tomorrow a.m. <br />
<br />
The BID is having a meeting to discuss how they will lose parking spots if the bike lanes go in at the bottom of Washington. <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/1nn7fwks9bmZRsN9E7zJF1d-Gr3APxT8mqCuIGMPDqRY0o4HYUHnK7XE3skbb/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here is the invitation with further information.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
See you there!Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-2607206327244589432013-08-27T15:35:00.002-07:002013-08-27T15:35:53.589-07:00Parking, Parking, Parking.....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JthfF9m_1k/UcRuk4o9nzI/AAAAAAAACHM/_MIR0H1oF6E/s1600/Washington+Street+bike+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JthfF9m_1k/UcRuk4o9nzI/AAAAAAAACHM/_MIR0H1oF6E/s320/Washington+Street+bike+plan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed Washington Street bike lanes in San Diego, Five Points area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Lately when it comes to the Washington Street Bike Upgrade project, all I've been hearing about is parking. <br />
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Yes, parking.</div>
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I had never given even a passing thought to parking management is in San Diego until I began working on the efforts to improve Washington Street. </div>
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I first heard about parking as it's own trade when I started talking to the Mission Hills BID about Walk The Wash. They all said the idea to make Washington Street bike and pedestrian-friendly was a good idea, but 'just don't eliminate any parking' is what they said. </div>
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I agreed. After all, parking is really, really hard to find at certain times of the day at Five Points.</div>
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I did 3 months worth of tours in the area in late 2012, and when I talked to people about how Washington Street could change for the better with a new footpath and bike lane, no one from the public ever mentioned parking. They were focused on how great it would be to finally feel safe getting around the area without a car. Some of them shared other ideas of how to make the area feel more like a community. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>They wanted less traffic. <b> (There's always a lot of cars circling, looking for parking.) </b> </li>
<li>They also wanted it to be cleaner, and have more trees. </li>
<li><a href="http://unionarch.com/sketchpad/Pages/five_points_mural.html" target="_blank">One guy told me about making the area more beautiful; a Shepard Fairey mural underneath the i-5 overpass that had been designed. It's ready to go, but it just needs funding. </a> </li>
<li>And countless others asked <b>why the medians in the canyon on Washington had never been planted out with beautiful trees?</b> The trees would have all kinds of benefits to our community like</li>
<ul>
<li>creating shade</li>
<li>providing habitat</li>
<li>beautifying the area by hiding the the freeway</li>
<li>helping to block some of the noise pollution</li>
<li>cleaning the air pollution</li>
<li>sucking up storm water when it rains</li>
<li>and creating much needed traffic calming. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
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But now that the designs for the bike lane are out, a lot of people are suddenly focused on parking because it turns out, you can't keep put in bike lanes and a sidewalk, AND find room to park cars without closing down a lane on Washington Street. </div>
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So, if you can't close a lane, something's gotta give. It looks like it's the parking at the bottom of the canyon.</div>
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I asked the employees one Friday morning at Gelato Vero where they park. They laughed, and said, <b>it's really hard to find parking</b>. They said if they work in the morning, it's easy. But if they work an afternoon shift, it's really challenging. They said that many times, the <b>afternoon shift person will call in and say, 'I'm here, but I'm just circling, looking for parking'. </b>And then the employees will see the person drive by in their car, circling, looking to find a place to park.<b> The person will usually end up parking up the hill in the neighborhood, so that means the residential area is now a parking lot for the businesses down below.</b></div>
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I think it's strange that a City can keep giving out business licenses, and allowing areas to put in more and more businesses, but not coordinate the infrastructure support of items like additional parking, or increased public transit, or safe bike lanes to support access to the businesses. They do require minimum parking spots for each 1000' of business establishment (2.1 spots in Five Points!) but when you have amazing grub from so many famous places (El Indio and Reagle Beagle to name just two,) it becomes a destination spot for people. Let's face it, people come to Five Points from all over the County.</div>
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I also think it's a little short-sighted of the business owners to keep trying to grow their businesses, without tackling the parking issue. Why aren't they creating parking lots? Where do they expect their employees to park? Where do they themselves park in the Five Points area? I estimate that there are about 40-50 spots needed for employees on any given day in Five Points.</div>
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<b>The thing is, if bike lanes go in, it will actually alleviate parking problems because frankly there is no more parking left. So, by having safe bike lanes, more people can ride their bikes to their jobs, which will free up parking for the area. Patrons can also ride their bikes to Five Points. </b><br />
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<b>What do you think? Do you believe parking will become available if more people feel safe getting around by bike? How long do you think it will take society to transition to this mode of travel? </b></div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-75516402828273689522013-08-27T15:06:00.000-07:002013-08-27T15:06:29.446-07:00Litter on Washington<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Unlike the rest of Five Points, litter at the bottom of Washington street tends to build up over the weeks. </div>
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Fellow resident, John Lomac had noticed it driving up the canyon one day and mentioned it a few weeks ago because was particularly bad. We took a walk over to see it and noticed a lot of cigarette butts, fast food wrappers and drink bottles, straws, etc. </div>
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Along India Street, the business owners do an amazing job of sweeping the sidewalks, and generally keeping everything very clean and welcoming. </div>
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But as soon as you turn up the canyon, over in the bike lane parking, it's full of litter. So what's happening?<br /><br />During the day, employees for some of the businesses tell me they park there. It's not a metered area, so they don't have to move their cars if working an 8 hour shift. That said, I do not think they would be eating fast food and leaving the litter there. </div>
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I think the litter is coming from folks who come late at night to Bar Dynamite, which pretty much becomes a club atmosphere with a DJ late at night. This crowd which likes to get their drink on, their dance on, and also needs to satiate their drinking with fast food. So, they go out for drinks, grab some fast food, then head to Bar Dynamite to kick up their heels. Sounds like fun, but they're leaving all their nasty trash when they leave. </div>
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It would be great if the business owners could get a crew from each business out to clean it up every morning. </div>
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Debris of every type of fast food you can think of: cups, straws, bags, boxes, lids, containers, and all plastic!</div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-se5fAN2uqao/Uhum1oMIiLI/AAAAAAAACKw/_qz7l6D3Nww/s640/blogger-image-177606992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-se5fAN2uqao/Uhum1oMIiLI/AAAAAAAACKw/_qz7l6D3Nww/s640/blogger-image-177606992.jpg" /></a></div>
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Lots of bags that blow around and end up everywhere else.</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFLCbQLwMPI/UhunBIJzcVI/AAAAAAAACLg/FcYaT4T4T0E/s640/blogger-image-2013771321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFLCbQLwMPI/UhunBIJzcVI/AAAAAAAACLg/FcYaT4T4T0E/s640/blogger-image-2013771321.jpg" /></a></div>
The litter is all the way up the hill as far as the cars park.<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L-Hlgo0P3AU/Uhum4CWlftI/AAAAAAAACK4/fIbkMHk-0hI/s640/blogger-image-969516334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L-Hlgo0P3AU/Uhum4CWlftI/AAAAAAAACK4/fIbkMHk-0hI/s640/blogger-image-969516334.jpg" /></a></div>
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It blows across the street onto the other side too.<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gj-Qw4_pr3A/Uhum_0t601I/AAAAAAAACLY/UULxdZTTDZ0/s640/blogger-image--1449270055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gj-Qw4_pr3A/Uhum_0t601I/AAAAAAAACLY/UULxdZTTDZ0/s640/blogger-image--1449270055.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's a bag trapped by some weeds, halfway up the side of the canyon.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e2Po55X3pm8/Uhum58-XvWI/AAAAAAAACLA/jcH1w5u0EZk/s640/blogger-image--1020579171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e2Po55X3pm8/Uhum58-XvWI/AAAAAAAACLA/jcH1w5u0EZk/s640/blogger-image--1020579171.jpg" /></a></div>
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When the first rains come in the Fall, all the litter will flow down the canyon, into the storm drain, and then wash out to sea, where it ends up on our beaches. <br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k0ssETE-bJI/Uhum95QaZTI/AAAAAAAACLQ/QzXNF6RNIMg/s640/blogger-image-848670900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k0ssETE-bJI/Uhum95QaZTI/AAAAAAAACLQ/QzXNF6RNIMg/s640/blogger-image-848670900.jpg" /></a></div>
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One of the big benefits of implementing the bike lane, is that this area will have a proper footpath, and these cars will be parked elsewhere. I imagine the City will have a place for trashcans too, so hopefully this mess will get resolved once the bike lanes are in.</div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-7646156669694795442013-06-21T08:32:00.001-07:002013-06-21T08:32:16.223-07:00Washington Street Bike Plan - DESIGN IDEAS!SO finally, after months and months, we are starting to see some designs for what a bike path on Washington Street could look like.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4JthfF9m_1k/UcRuk4o9nzI/AAAAAAAACHI/FpDvJoVn1g0/s1600/Washington+Street+bike+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Washington Street bike plan" border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4JthfF9m_1k/UcRuk4o9nzI/AAAAAAAACHI/FpDvJoVn1g0/s400/Washington+Street+bike+plan.jpg" title="Washington Street can accommodate cars, bikes and pedestrians if re-designed." width="400" /></a></div>
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The image shows what the current state of Washington street is, and what it could look like. Some thoughts:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>this is a section of Washington Street at 68' wide. But not all sections are that wide, nor do they support a 6' median. But, we are not supposed to take this view as the literal implementation of the plan.</li>
<li>the pathway/sidewalk on the right is a nice feature, and because it's grade-separated, it looks really safe. </li>
<li>both bike lanes look like safety is a priority</li>
<li>the median planted with a tree makes the whole street look much more aesthetically pleasing. I wonder if they are thinking about capturing any runoff in that median?</li>
<li>it's not really fair to call it a "Parking Lane" in the existing view because it is actually a bike lane currently, albeit a really poor one. Apparently the city places a sign off to the right indicating it's for bikes, but someone keeps taking it down. That said, this bike lane contains an average about 15 cars a day parked in it, because as we all know, there is no parking in Five Points.</li>
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What do you think of the proposed design? Do you think it's safe? Do you think it works? What do you think the impacts will be?</div>
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<br />Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-2301921045997794712013-05-13T10:01:00.000-07:002013-05-13T10:01:02.307-07:00Bike lanes to boost business in Mission Hills, San Diego!I haven't posted on Walk the Wash in forever because now that the project is funded and underway, we are all waiting to see what the fabulous team at SANDAG has come up with! We are eagerly anticipating the design solutions in the coming weeks. As soon as we have pics, we'll post them.<br />
<br />In the meantime, our friend Jean sent us this great post from Treehuger on how bike lanes boost business.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike lanes increase business and decrease injuries to everyone using the streets.</td></tr>
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You can read the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/more-proof-bike-lanes-boost-business.html" target="_blank">article on how bikes boost business</a>, but suffice it to say, that a NY study showed a whopping <b>49% increase in retail sales</b>! When you consider that our city council just made the permits for outdoor sidewalk seating a lot easier and cheaper, this will really increase sales for everyone on Washington and the surrounding areas!</div>
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I wonder what would happen to businesses along India street if there was a bike lane there too? </div>
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-26649495374966850282013-03-06T10:12:00.001-08:002013-03-06T10:12:38.441-08:00Surface streets like Washington are not freeway onramps.<span style="font-family: inherit;">The City Council voted Tuesday to improve bike routes all over the city. Thanks to our Councilman, Todd Gloria, for supporting this important mode of transportation! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This <a href="http://docs.sandiego.gov/councilcomm_agendas_attach/2013/LUH_130206_3.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a> will make biking safer which means more people will use bikes instead of cars. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">With our progress on sharrows, bike corrals, bike sharing and ciclovias, we are working hard to make our city more bike-friendly." - Todd Gloria, via facebook.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A good article on <a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/mar/04/cyclist-deaths-bring-bike-safety-resolution-city-c/" target="_blank">KPBS</a> is here, and<a href="http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/03/05/safer-bike-routes-coming-to-san-diego/#axzz2MmU2agnG" target="_blank"> Fox has a good video summary,</a> with a blog link.</span></span><br />
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<br />Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-56643530301505166302013-01-05T15:14:00.002-08:002013-01-05T15:14:26.914-08:00Project Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myQ0N11hBao/UOiza_8658I/AAAAAAAAB80/sRenTbfTwBM/s1600/SANDAG+community+meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myQ0N11hBao/UOiza_8658I/AAAAAAAAB80/sRenTbfTwBM/s320/SANDAG+community+meeting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the community give input on the Uptown Regional Bike Corridor Project.</td></tr>
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Beth at SANDAG has uploaded a project schedule with a good summary of our portion of the <a href="http://www.keepsandiegomoving.com/RegionalBikeProjects/uptown_intro.aspx" target="_blank">regional bike project</a> for Uptown. The next meeting is Feb 6, and it will cover design ideas and review existing conditions.<br />
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Last year we blogged about some <a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-three-hour-tour.html" target="_blank">design ideas when we toured Washington</a> street with some of the trustees from the Mission Hills Town Council. </div>
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In SANDAG's first meeting, staff did a great job of explaining how communities would like to bike more, but the vast majority feel unsafe on the roads. In fact, surveys show that 60% of people are interested in riding, but are concerned and so they don't. Of course this means communities continue to have more cars on the roads, more traffic, more parking issues, worse air quality, less exercise for folks that want it, more wear and tear on infrastructure, etc. etc.... Only 1% of people have no fear when it comes to sharing the road with cars. SANDAG showed an <a href="http://www.keepsandiegomoving.com/Libraries/Transnet-doc/SANDAG_Uptown_CAM1_Slideshow_Final_POST.sflb.ashx" target="_blank">excellent powerpoint </a>with the great information on bike lane designs, and explained how roads are for everyone, not just cars.<br />
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They finished the meeting by asking what are the opportunities for our community as we build out this enhancement? And, what types of facilities be implemented in certain areas? Check out the powerpoint for ideas, and <a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/p/feature-requests.html" target="_blank">tell us what you'd like to see</a> in Mission Hills.<br />
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-58486343223963026012013-01-05T14:49:00.001-08:002013-01-05T14:49:46.511-08:00The danger of cycling next to parked carsThis is a great video that shows the danger of cycling next to parked cars, or what's known as the "door zone."<br />
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The safest lane to travel in is the bike lane, and reduces injuries by 90%. You can <a href="http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/10/22/study-protected-bike-lanes-reduce-injury-risk-up-to-90-percent/" target="_blank">read a good summary post and link to a new study here.</a><br />
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According to the study, the most dangerous roads are <b><i>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, 'trebuchet ms', verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">wide streets with parked cars and no bike infrastructure". </span></i></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Hey, that sounds like Washington Street!</span>Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-37968061872126410542012-12-11T16:33:00.000-08:002012-12-11T16:33:42.617-08:00Studies have shown....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O9Wd8UARxQ/UMfQordiUnI/AAAAAAAAB78/7RxhrPjhHLo/s1600/532514_10151291208438630_1338932276_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O9Wd8UARxQ/UMfQordiUnI/AAAAAAAAB78/7RxhrPjhHLo/s400/532514_10151291208438630_1338932276_n.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-33473743508144607582012-12-05T10:07:00.000-08:002012-12-05T10:07:17.751-08:00Sandag should invest even more in bike lanes!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sdgreatstreets.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/I5-SanDiego-highway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://sdgreatstreets.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/I5-SanDiego-highway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I-5 at Midtown. Photo courtesy of Great Streets San Diego. http://sdgreatstreets.org/page/3/</td></tr>
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Great article yesterday on the <a href="http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_d5b2c84a-3e5b-11e2-b581-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">judge's ruling against Sandag's regional transportation plan</a>. Why? Because it really asks Sandag to re-address transportation in a more holistic sense. We simply can't keep widening freeways as a means to addressing transport. Widening a highway works temporarily to accommodate our cars, but within a few years as more cars use the road, we are back to square one and we've wasted money on infrastructure that isn't meeting our needs. Again.<br />
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If I worked for Sandag, I would look at all public transport options and simply increase them: more routes, increased schedules, more connectivity. I would also add more bike lanes, and find ways to connect all public transport with biking. If we really want to be a city of connected villages, we must integrate our public transport options into how we get around. With <a href="http://www.sandag.org/index.asp?projectid=353&fuseaction=projects.detail" target="_blank">Sandag's regional bike upgrade plan</a>, they are doing a good job, but we could do even better by having more lanes, better lanes, and really promoting biking as a means of transport.<br />
<br />I would also reduce the daily fee to use our current public transport. It used to be $5.00 to use any public transport for the entire day. And this is a great option for tourists, or someone who doesn't get out much, but a friend was telling me it's now increased to $7.00. <a href="http://www.sdmts.com/fares.asp#daypass" target="_blank">The website still says $5.00 however.</a> Either way, I think this all day pass would see more traction if it was only $2-3.00. <br />
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If we have billions of dollars to widen freeways, we have billions of dollars to increase public transport, and get people out of their cars, which improves air quality, improves community, improves our health by exercising, and all which ultimately improves our lives. San Diego simply can't lose by investing in more and better public transport.<br />
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<br />Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-52463780667219622452012-10-18T15:23:00.000-07:002012-10-18T15:23:18.731-07:00Remember to walk San Diego and rate our streets by 10/25!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We got the following reminder to rate the streets of San Diego, especially in Uptown, where people like to walk and bike!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Our deadline is approaching. Please forward this to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can you spare 30 minutes this weekend? WalkSanDiego is creating a walkability scorecard for every city in San Diego County. There are thousands of streets to be rated, and </span><strong style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DO IT BY OCTOBER 25! </strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But we have a very cool tool for you to use.</span></i></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/walk-scorecard/sharp-healthcare-regional-walkability-scorecard/bestwalk-description/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><b>BestWALK</b></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> is the only phone app of its kind! We developed it to help you rate how walkable your local streets are. The app is free, it works on iPhone and Android, it's available in Spanish or English, and it’s easy & fun to use. The ratings you provide will help us rank all cities in San Diego County. But we need the data by October 25 for this year's ratings.</span><u></u><u></u></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We’re asking all our friends and supporters to download the app and rate at least 5 streets <b>this weekend</b> (10 if you're up for the challenge!). It will only take you five or six minutes per street. So give us 30 minutes this weekend and we'll rate your town. How will your city stack up against others? Stay tuned to find out!</span><u></u><u></u></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">For iPhone: </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bestwalk/id556722623?mt=8" style="color: purple;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">https://itunes.apple.<wbr></wbr>com/us/app/bestwalk/<wbr></wbr>id556722623?mt=8</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span><u></u><u></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>For Android: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bestwalk&hl=en" style="color: purple;" target="_blank">https://play.google.<wbr></wbr>com/store/apps/details?id=com.<wbr></wbr>bestwalk&hl=en</a></i></span></div>
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PASS IT ON!</div>
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<span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Robert D. Felix </b></span></span><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri;">| Volunteer Outreach Coordinator | WalkSanDiego | 740 13th Street, Suite 502 | San Diego, CA 92101<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: green;">www.walksandiego.org</span></a> <u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri;">Promoting Walkable Communities<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri;">Volunteer! <a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/get-involved/volunteer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.walksandiego.<wbr></wbr>org/get-involved/volunteer</a></span></div>
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Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-92166544034407244802012-10-12T10:38:00.001-07:002012-10-12T10:38:18.991-07:00Tours of Washington Street in Mission Hills<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary intersection at Washington Street and India in Mission Hills. Let's plant some trees in the medians! </td></tr>
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We are going to start giving <a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/p/take-tour.html" target="_blank">tours of the Washington Street canyon area</a>. This is to solicit feedback from the community on what <a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/p/feature-requests.html" target="_blank">features we would like</a> for the SANDAG regional bike plan upgrade.<br />
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Last night at the Mission Hills Town Hall meeting, people were very enthusiastic about upgrading the road because as the gateway to Mission Hills, it will mean significant improvements for the canyon, especially safety and aesthetics! Can you imagine if those medians were planted with beautiful native trees?<br />
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Gerrie Trussel from the BID told me the business owners would like to see more parking spaces. And yes, more parking in the area is needed. But of course the project is not about creating parking, it's about getting people out of their cars, and using foot and pedal power! Naturally though, we want to accommodate everyone in our community, so we would like to try to squeeze in more room for those in their automobiles. <br />
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The <a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/p/take-tour.html" target="_blank">tour schedule</a> is listed in the link above, and I will add to it as needed, but the first one will be tomorrow, Saturday 10/13 at 10a.m. outside Gelato Vero. It will last approximately 30-45 minutes and we'll cover all issues from crosswalks, to hillside plants, to yes - parking!<br />
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<br />Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-44616930297571457922012-09-07T08:33:00.000-07:002012-09-24T11:39:00.421-07:00Washington walkers wanted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">WalkSanDiego</span></a> has developed a Regional Walk Scorecard and is looking for volunteers across the region to use their new smart phone<a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/walk-scorecard/sharp-healthcare-regional-walkability-scorecard/walksharp-description/" style="color: #1f497d;" target="_blank"> </a><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/walk-scorecard/sharp-healthcare-regional-walkability-scorecard/walksharp-description/" target="_blank">app (called BestWalk)</a></span><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span>and
input data on what it’s like to walk in our neighborhoods. <span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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So to help, we are organizing volunteers to walk along Washington Street and other parts of the area to document walking conditions. Our efforts will
contribute to a regional map of walk improvements that we can use to advocate
for future funding across San Diego. And of course, we'll use the scorecard to see how Washington Street fares.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">We will spend 1-2 hours Friday, 10/5 documenting walking conditions. </span>We will meet on the corner of India and Washington Street at 4pm.<span style="background-color: white;"> And then maybe we'll have</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d;"> </span><a href="http://www.brooklyngirleatery.com/menu.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">dessert at Brooklyn Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">because after that exercise we will have earned it! </span></div>
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Please<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span><a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/" target="_blank">see the flyer</a><span style="color: #1f497d;">, </span>and if you are interested in Walking The Wash to document conditions as you find them,<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span><a href="http://walkthewash.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html" target="_blank">please let me know</a><span style="color: #1f497d;">.</span><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>If you don’t have a smart phone, you can still download a<span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span><a href="http://www.walksandiego.org/walk-scorecard/sharp-healthcare-regional-walkability-scorecard/walksharp-description/" target="_blank">scorecard from their site.</a><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f497d;">Please note: if you want to download the app, you need to sign up on Walk San Diego's site as a volunteer, and then they will notify you when it's ready for download.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f497d;">UPDATE 9:/24: We've got 4 volunteers so far! Join us!</span></div>
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<br />Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-23476199214438935992012-08-23T09:44:00.000-07:002012-08-27T10:20:34.867-07:00Funding for LID elements through Prop 84<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ccc.ca.gov/work/programs/PublishingImages/Prop%2084.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://www.ccc.ca.gov/work/programs/PublishingImages/Prop%2084.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Exciting news: we started the process to apply for grant funding for all the Low Impact Development elements on Walk The Wash via <a href="http://www.ccc.ca.gov/work/programs/Proposition84/Pages/prop84.aspx" target="_blank">Prop 84</a>. Below is our 1-page concept document. LID is the wave of the future and is certain to become the norm.<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Prop 84-Round 2 Implementation
Grant Opportunity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Concept Form<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Please complete form and return
to Rosalyn Prickett </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"><br />
by Friday August 24, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">This Project Concept Form allows
you to describe the general concept for your water management project,
including any potential integration opportunities. We will compile the project
concepts and discuss their merits at the Strategic Integration Workshop on
September 12<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 679px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Title<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.25in;" valign="top" width="504"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">LID technologies added to SANDAG Master Bicycle
Plan on Washington Street in Mission Hills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr>
<td rowspan="3" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Sponsor <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Organization<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 292.5pt;" valign="top" width="390"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Contact
Name<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 292.5pt;" valign="top" width="390"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Belinda Smith (Secretary, Mission Hills Town
Council; Co-Chair Know Your H2O, Surfrider Foundation.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Email<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 292.5pt;" valign="top" width="390"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Belinda @ surfridersd org<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Description<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">(100 words or less) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.25in;" valign="top" width="504"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Washington Street will receive improvements in
the form of bicycle and pedestrian facilities as prioritized in the SANDAG Regional
Bike Plan. KOA Corporation will begin
the design and preliminary engineering in September 2012 through a contract
with SANDAG. The project needs LID technologies to infiltrate and manage
storm water runoff via bioswales or contouring, curb cuts, native vegetation
to restore habitat and improve the storm water quality, and permeable paving
where appropriate. All of these
elements will improve</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">the quality of surface water flowing into the canyon
and reduce the volume of runoff dischargin<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6420925801892982642" name="_GoBack"></a>g into the
canyon, storm drains, and surrounding bays and beaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
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<td rowspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Timeline<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">(check one)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">X<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Begin
Construction/Implementation 2014-2015<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Begin
Construction/Implementation 2016 or later<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Location<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.25in;" valign="top" width="504"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Washington Street from the Trolley Stop to 3<sup>rd</sup>
Ave in Hillcrest. (City of SD)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr style="height: 18.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 18.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Need for Project<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">(100 words or less)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 18.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.25in;" valign="top" width="504"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Washington Street runs the length of a major
canyon artery from the airport up to Hillcrest. D</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">uring winter storms the street transports an
enormous amount of storm water runoff resulting in flooding, debris and
pollution in the canyon/watershed, habitat degradation, and community
access. This project proposes to
restore those elements in a holistic way.
Currently there is no way to manage the enormous amount of runoff from
the slopes of the canyon </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">bringing sediment into the storm drains, destroying
habitat, and adding polluted stormwater to the creeks, bays and ocean.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> Decreased runoff will restore the canyon
watershed area creating improved hydrologic conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="6" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Project Type<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">(check all that apply; however, be judicious)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Water
Supply (including Conservation)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Wastewater<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">X<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Water
Quality / Stormwater<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">X<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Natural
Resources and Watersheds<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">X<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Flood
Control<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .25in;" valign="top" width="24"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.0in;" valign="top" width="480"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Other: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.4pt;" valign="top" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Integration Opportunities*<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">(100 words or less)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="3" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.25in;" valign="top" width="504"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Integration partners: SANDAG Regional Bike Plan,
Surfrider Foundation, Five Points CDC, and Mission Hills Town Council. Other
partners could include Uptown Planners, and City planning groups which
address habitat restoration, community open space access, storm water LID
projects and recreational programs in the areas adjacent to the proposed
project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">It can also be counted as another regional
demonstration project that uses LID technologies which Surfrider can use to
teach urban planners, landscape architects, urban gardeners, etc., who need
example sites throughout the county.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Further
beneficial uses include more park-like settings adjacent to the road and
enhanced connection of the top and bottom of Mission Hills resulting in
better community feeling and contributing to i</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">mplementation
of the multi- modal, conservation and recreation policies embodied in the
City of San Diego's General Plan.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="border: none;" width="25"></td>
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</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">*
Developing integrated project solutions ensures a greater level of benefits for
the region and makes your project more viable within the IRWM grant program.
Integration includes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Partnerships</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> – Establishing partnerships with other organizations can be cost
effective by sharing data, resources, and infrastructure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Resource Management</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> – Employing multiple resource management
strategies within a single project can effectively address a variety of issues<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Beneficial Uses</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> – Project solutions can be implemented to support several different
beneficial uses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Geographic</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> –
Implementing watershed- or regional-scale projects can benefit from economies
of scale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;">Hydrologic</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"> –
Addressing multiple watershed functions within the hydrologic cycle can resolve
conflicts between beneficial uses</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420925801892982642.post-72322299727295095852012-08-22T08:30:00.001-07:002012-09-07T09:00:50.109-07:003 feet needed when passing cyclists? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There's pending legislation before our California Senators which proposes a 3' space between cars and cyclists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"State Assembly is expected to vote Friday on a bill that would require all drivers to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when they pass them.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bill, <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB1464" style="border: 0px; color: #0044aa; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SB 1464</a> ,would also require drivers to slow to a “reasonable and prudent” passing speed when the distance is not possible. It also permits drivers to, when safe, move into the oncoming traffic lane to provide the required space. Anyone who violates the proposed law would get hit with a $35 fine; and if a cyclist is injured due to a violation, the fine goes up to $220.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read more from <a href="http://encinitas.patch.com/articles/poll-should-state-dictate-3-foot-space-when-drivers-pass-cyclists" target="_blank">Marlene Medford's patch articl</a>e. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Three feet seems reasonable. Isn't that what most prudent drivers would allow anyway? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/7 Update: <a href="http://act.transformca.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10642" target="_blank">SB 1464 passed and now we need to urge Governor Brown to sign it into law.</a> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.714em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></div>
Woodlabs Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13682034124229184084noreply@blogger.com0