Solutions to save our neighborhood
Below are some solutions offered by neighbors to lessen the impact of traffic entering and exiting our neighborhood. Additionally, more suggestions have been provided to diminish the environmental impact of a large, heat-generating asphalt parking lot and drive, bright security lighting for the parking lot, outdoor lighting for the sports facilities as well as for noise generated by outdoor public address systems, period bells, buzzers and fire alarms at the school. If you have some through-out solutions, please share them with us.
The current plan is addressed several times in the potential solutions listed below. Directly below is a copy of the unmodified site plan proposed by the architects working on this project.
The current plan is addressed several times in the potential solutions listed below. Directly below is a copy of the unmodified site plan proposed by the architects working on this project.
This is site plan created by architects working on this project. The main problem is traffic entering and exiting the neighborhood from Pershing Street NE. This will lead to a huge influx of daily traffic, not only from the school, but the YMCA as well.
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Addressing the traffic issue
Vacate Pershing at 62nd and place the entrance to the property on the west side
The best solutions are often the simplest ones. Our understanding is, architects for this project initially suggested the entrance to the property be placed on the west side, close to Pershing Street NE, rather than using Pershing to get to the entrance. We were told the traffic department balked at that idea because it was within 30 feet of Pershing at 62nd. The obvious problem with having any entrance to the property near Pershing, is people will use our neighborhood as a thoroughfare to get to the school property. The only way to stop this is block any neighborhood road from accessing school property. This can easily be done by vacating Pershing where it meets 62nd Ave. NE, and by placing a cul-de-sac there so vehicles like garbage trucks, ambulances and delivery vans can still turn around.
With Pershing vacated at 62nd, the original, and more common-sense entrance to the school can be relocated to its original location off 62nd. It will no longer be within 30 feet of a street opening to 62nd Ave. NE. The architects should like it because the original, safer design can be utilized and the neighbors in Mangrove Bay will like it because their lives won't be upended by heavy traffic and noise. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
Notice that Pine Street and 64th Ave to the northeast of the school now also show cul-de-sacs. This is to keep parents from having an easy circle route where they can park and let their kids walk the rest of the way to school.
The best solutions are often the simplest ones. Our understanding is, architects for this project initially suggested the entrance to the property be placed on the west side, close to Pershing Street NE, rather than using Pershing to get to the entrance. We were told the traffic department balked at that idea because it was within 30 feet of Pershing at 62nd. The obvious problem with having any entrance to the property near Pershing, is people will use our neighborhood as a thoroughfare to get to the school property. The only way to stop this is block any neighborhood road from accessing school property. This can easily be done by vacating Pershing where it meets 62nd Ave. NE, and by placing a cul-de-sac there so vehicles like garbage trucks, ambulances and delivery vans can still turn around.
With Pershing vacated at 62nd, the original, and more common-sense entrance to the school can be relocated to its original location off 62nd. It will no longer be within 30 feet of a street opening to 62nd Ave. NE. The architects should like it because the original, safer design can be utilized and the neighbors in Mangrove Bay will like it because their lives won't be upended by heavy traffic and noise. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
Notice that Pine Street and 64th Ave to the northeast of the school now also show cul-de-sacs. This is to keep parents from having an easy circle route where they can park and let their kids walk the rest of the way to school.
This plan is common sense. Good for the architects, the neighborhood residents and the city. It's a win-win! Please note: this change to the original plan was not provided by the architects on the project. It was created from the original plan by a neighbor.
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Alternative: Reroute all automotive drop-off traffic via 62nd Avenue NE, rather than Pershing Street NE.
Why? The current site plan calls for all children in cars to be dropped off in the west- side parking lot. This lot also serves as full-time parking for school staff, as well as for employees and members of the YMCA. On the current site plan, entry to this school drop-off-lane and parking lot is via Pershing Street NE in our neighborhood. We believe the site plan should be modified to provide a rear drive to the planned parking lot, with all traffic entering from 62nd Ave NE. No traffic should enter or exit the school from the streets in our neighborhood.
A new lane, with traffic flowing in both directions to and from the parking lot, could be created on the east side of the property. Doing this and closing Pershing at 62nd Ave. NE would eliminate much of the traffic entering our neighborhood. Please note: this change to the original was not provided by the architects on the project.
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Alternative: move parking lot forward
This idea suggests repositioning the parking lot to the front of the property, as this altered plan below shows. This plan was based on the original site plan and created by one of our neighbors. This plan was not provided by the architects. If this plan were selected, Pershing should still be vacated where it meets 62nd Ave. NE.
This idea suggests repositioning the parking lot to the front of the property, as this altered plan below shows. This plan was based on the original site plan and created by one of our neighbors. This plan was not provided by the architects. If this plan were selected, Pershing should still be vacated where it meets 62nd Ave. NE.
This plan was not created by the architects for the project.
No matter where the entrance is placed, changes must be made to some of our neighborhood roads to make them safe. These changes are shown below:
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Vacate Pershing Street at 62nd Avenue NE and create a cul-de-sac sac at that location
Why? The current engineering site plan proposes to widen Pershing Street NE to 4 lanes just off of 62nd Avenue NE, with the road narrowing again to its current width just before Davenport Avenue. Before reaching Davenport, a raised island will separate traffic before narrowing to the original width (which is just 24 feet - barely enough for two cars to pass). Signs are supposed to direct cars back to 62nd Avenue NE. It is highly unlikely any sign will keep cars from turning right from the parking lot and entering our neighborhood. Even if the first proposal is accepted (all traffic entering the property via 62nd Ave. NE), the neighborhood will still be inundated with cars seeking a shortcut to the school or the YMCA. We also expect parents will park along our neighborhood streets to drop off children so they can walk the rest of the way to school. Closing the Pershing street permanently will solve many of the |
The arrow shows where Pershing will be vacated at 62nd and a cul-de-sac will be added
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traffic problems for our neighborhood and make life much more livable for the five houses on Pershing Street NE directly across from the west side of the school property. This will also guarantee that residents in these homes will still be able to have timely garbage and emergency vehicle service - which could be temporarily blocked by heavy traffic entering the school property during peak hours.
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Close off 64th Avenue NE at Pine Street, add a cul-de-sac to Pine Street and eliminate any gated entry on the west side of the school
Why? We can see from nearby Shore Acres Elementary (about 2 miles east on 62nd Ave. NE) how much of a problem school traffic causes residents living near a school. Parents frequently park along neighborhood streets to avoid long lines to drop off and pickup their kids on school property during peak traffic hours. Parking on these streets is often bumper-to-bumper, sometimes blocking driveways. Many parents find a street where they can park for a few minutes and let their kids walk the rest of the way to school. Neighborhood streets like ours are narrow and not equipped to handle the flow of traffic from both our residents and a large school, not to mention a busy commercial property like the YMCA. These parked cars and heavy traffic will make it very difficult for garbage pickup, deliveries and emergency services like fire trucks and ambulances. |
This diagram shows two cul-de-sacs blocking thru traffic around the back of the school property. This would also discourage parking
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Closing off 64th Avenue NE where it borders the school parking lot and creating a cul-de-sac where it meets with Pine Street NE, will greatly inconvenience and discourage people who would park on our streets. Additionally, any gates opening to the school property from our neighborhood should remain locked.
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Add signage and speed bumps to deter traffic
Why? This is another step to slowing down speeding cars and to discourage parking on our Mangrove Bay streets. Signs proclaiming “NO ACCESS TO SCHOOL” should be placed at Woodrow Wilson Ave NE, Pershing Street NE, Tennessee Ave NE and Davenport Ave NE where these streets intersect 1st Street NE,. These signs should also be placed at Hobson and Cedar Streets NE where they intersect 62nd Avenue NE. Of course, some will ignore those signs. The greatest danger to our children, elderly neighbors, bicyclists and pets is going to be from speeding cars. As much as many of us don’t like them, probably the only thing we can do to slow down speeding cars once they're in the neighborhood is to install traffic calming speed bumps. The best effect of these speed bumps would be obtained by installing them on the major neighborhood roads of Tennessee, Pershing and Woodrow Wilson. Finally, we suggest that “No Parking” signs need to be placed on one side of Tennessee, Pine Street, Davenport and 64th Ave NE. |
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No parking signs should be located on roads closest to school like Pershing, Tennessee, Pine and 64th Ave. NE
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Possible location of speed bumps in the neighborhood
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Addressing the environment impact to our neighborhood The streets on the west side of neighborhood are already plagued by flooding during heavy summer downpours and with every King Tide. Have the engineers thoroughly considered the impact of the heavy rain falling on the parking lot and buildings during King Tides? Hopefully, they've done a better job than the city traffic department. The plans show three planned retention ponds, but is that enough? Is there enough city infrastructure in place to handle the fresh water and wastewater demands of the school and as well a a large commercial building with an Olympic-sized swimming pool? Will our neighborhood suffer from backed up drains once these facilities are in place? There are several large, stately oak trees that must be close to 100 years old on the school board property. Is there a way to keep these trees - especially those by the proposed parking lot? This may help to mitigate the heat generated by an asphalt parking lot that's larger than a city block. When the trees and grass in that area are replaced with asphalt and concrete, no doubt, we will notice the difference. |
Pine street flooded after a typical summer thundershower. It also does this with every King Tide.
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Bright lights in our windows
The bright security lights from the buildings and the sports facilities may not shine though every window in the neighborhood, but we will notice the constant light pollution. The houses facing the school on Pershing and the parking lot 64th Avenue NE will feel the impact more than others. A solution? Plant a fast-growing, tall, clumping bamboo border to block light. Additionally, use directional, shielded lighting to keep lights from flooding into the houses surrounding the school and YMCA.
The bright security lights from the buildings and the sports facilities may not shine though every window in the neighborhood, but we will notice the constant light pollution. The houses facing the school on Pershing and the parking lot 64th Avenue NE will feel the impact more than others. A solution? Plant a fast-growing, tall, clumping bamboo border to block light. Additionally, use directional, shielded lighting to keep lights from flooding into the houses surrounding the school and YMCA.