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Jacksonville becomes 'pedestrian friendly' By MEG LANDERS JACKSONVILLE - Pony Espresso owner Chris Boivin says new sidewalks have expanded foot traffic beyond the downtown core, benefiting his business and others on Fifth Street. "It definitely makes our side of town more pedestrian friendly," he says. The new sidewalk is part of several projects designed to improve foot traffic along Fifth, California and G streets. The first two sidewalks, costing about $150,000 and funded by grants from the Oregon Department of Transportation and matching city funds, have been completed in the past year. The city is awaiting word on an additional $120,000 ODOT grant for the G Street sidewalk. Residents are invited to take a walk around town with state transportation and city officials this afternoon during a tour assessing the project. City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen says the new sidewalks improve safety as well as aesthetics. "Both these projects that we put in get a high volume of use," says Wyntergreen. "Before (the improvements), you'd see a lot of people walking on the edge of the highway, which is not a good thing." The projects included about 2,500 feet along Fifth Street from the Jacksonville Market to Royal Mobile Estates, and an estimated 750 feet on California Street from Fifth Street to Laurelwood. Handicap access ramps also were installed on Fifth Street. The G Street sidewalk will extend from Fifth Street to Hueners Lane. Wyntergreen says those streets were selected because of the ODOT grant requirement that the improvements be along or adjacent to a state highway. Among those meeting with Jacksonville and ODOT officials today will be Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chairwoman Karen Frost of Portland, who will be assessing the projects' effectiveness. "The goal is to have a balanced transportation system so that all modes of transportation are easily accessible," Frost says. The governor-appointed citizen committee makes grant recommendations for projects such as bike lanes, sidewalks, curb extensions, curb cuts for wheelchairs and pedestrian medians, she says. "Oregon is really a national leader in transportation and land-use planning," says Frost, who assesses communities all around the state. "Part of the goal would be to maintain the character of the community," she says. Boivin says the meandering, earth-tone walkway on Fifth Street accomplishes just that in this historic town. "It feels less like a sidewalk and more like a trail," he says. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com. |
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