January 28 Update:
MAYOR RESPONDS TO CITIZEN SUPPORT
MAYOR RESPONDS TO CITIZEN SUPPORT
January 15 Update:
ROAD DIET AT RISK: WE NEED YOUR HELP URGENTLY!
ROAD DIET AT RISK: WE NEED YOUR HELP URGENTLY!
We’ve asked hundreds of neighbors about their hopes for Center Street and we've heard across the board: neighbors want a Center Street that’s safer and more vibrant… with slower traffic, wider sidewalks, less asphalt, and more family-friendly businesses.
We spent this past year researching, problem solving, and working with the city and property owners on the street to figure out what we could do to make this happen. The most critical element for change to happen is reducing the street to 3 lanes from 5, to slow traffic to within the speed limit, add street parking, and widen sidewalks. (Visit the road diet strategy page to learn more.)
In 2017, Public Works studied our traffic patterns and volume and determined that Center Street is a very good candidate for a road diet. They have given their approval, but they have not allocated funding.
On January 14, Public Works shared with us that the street is scheduled to be resurfaced in late 2019 or 2020. MUD will be doing work on pipes under the street, and when that’s done, the street will receive a new layer of asphalt and new paint. This is the optimal time to complete the road diet, but the City has not allocated funding for it.
The road will be repainted exactly as it is now (except it will be smoother and even faster). If the road diet does not happen during the resurfacing, the cost to do it AFTER would be exponentially higher.
We spent this past year researching, problem solving, and working with the city and property owners on the street to figure out what we could do to make this happen. The most critical element for change to happen is reducing the street to 3 lanes from 5, to slow traffic to within the speed limit, add street parking, and widen sidewalks. (Visit the road diet strategy page to learn more.)
In 2017, Public Works studied our traffic patterns and volume and determined that Center Street is a very good candidate for a road diet. They have given their approval, but they have not allocated funding.
On January 14, Public Works shared with us that the street is scheduled to be resurfaced in late 2019 or 2020. MUD will be doing work on pipes under the street, and when that’s done, the street will receive a new layer of asphalt and new paint. This is the optimal time to complete the road diet, but the City has not allocated funding for it.
The road will be repainted exactly as it is now (except it will be smoother and even faster). If the road diet does not happen during the resurfacing, the cost to do it AFTER would be exponentially higher.
We need the city to IMMEDIATELY allocate funds in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget
for a Center Street road diet.
They need to hear from us as a community NOW.
WHAT TO DO
Click here to contact the Mayor’s Office and ask for funding for the Center Street road diet in the upcoming CIP. Below is contact information for phone, email, Twitter, and Facebook and a short letter or phone call text you can edit and borrow from. (While you're at it, copy your Councilperson and Public Works!)
Feel free to edit the text below and communicate in your own words, sharing what is most motivating for you - politely and clearly. Our public servants are here to help, but we need to let them know this is an urgent priority with long term impacts for our community.
If you want to get creative, include a selfie scrambling to cross the street along with your Tweet or email, have your kids write a letter or draw a picture, or send a letter to the editor!
Click here to contact the Mayor’s Office and ask for funding for the Center Street road diet in the upcoming CIP. Below is contact information for phone, email, Twitter, and Facebook and a short letter or phone call text you can edit and borrow from. (While you're at it, copy your Councilperson and Public Works!)
Feel free to edit the text below and communicate in your own words, sharing what is most motivating for you - politely and clearly. Our public servants are here to help, but we need to let them know this is an urgent priority with long term impacts for our community.
If you want to get creative, include a selfie scrambling to cross the street along with your Tweet or email, have your kids write a letter or draw a picture, or send a letter to the editor!
We need at least 200 neighbors get in contact with the Mayor’s office BY JANUARY 30.
Center Street hasn’t been a vibrant business area for over 25 years...
but 5 minutes of your time now could have an impact on Center Street for the next 25!
WHAT’S AT RISK
Over the past few months, Frank Axiotes, owner of Will Style tailor shop building, has been working with Ariann Anderson to explore opening a neighborhood coffee shop in the space next to Will Style. At the same time, Mike Peters, who owns the Vis Major building and several others across the street, has been working to add additional businesses to the properties that he owns.
Frank, Ariann, and Mike have all shared their concerns about this turn of events. Without the road changed, investing in these properties becomes far more risky for them. Businesses NEED foot traffic to thrive, which comes from safe, walkable streets. They need cars to slow and stop, rather than racing by on the way to the freeway. We need to act now so that we don’t miss this opportunity.
Over the past few months, Frank Axiotes, owner of Will Style tailor shop building, has been working with Ariann Anderson to explore opening a neighborhood coffee shop in the space next to Will Style. At the same time, Mike Peters, who owns the Vis Major building and several others across the street, has been working to add additional businesses to the properties that he owns.
Frank, Ariann, and Mike have all shared their concerns about this turn of events. Without the road changed, investing in these properties becomes far more risky for them. Businesses NEED foot traffic to thrive, which comes from safe, walkable streets. They need cars to slow and stop, rather than racing by on the way to the freeway. We need to act now so that we don’t miss this opportunity.
Hello ________,
I live in the ________ neighborhood, and I am calling/writing to urge the city to prioritize funds for a road diet on Center Street in this year’s CIP.
A road diet is critical for the the safety of families and pedestrians in the area. It is also a block to our ability to bring businesses to the corridor and stimulate economic development.
Neighbors have been working with Public Works and Planning on this project for 2 years, and Public Works has already recommended Center as a good candidate for a road diet, but needs the money to do it.
The street is due for resurfacing in early 2020, and we need to have it funded before that time, or risk a lot of wasteful spending later. It’s a very low-cost project that will increase the city’s tax revenue and will deal with some real safety issues for families in the area.
I am urging you to ensure that funding for a Center Street road diet is a priority in the upcoming CIP.
Thank you!
Name, address, and neighborhood
(Click here for a more extended version of the letter with additional details.)
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Jean Stothert, Mayor Mayor’s Office 1819 Farnam St Omaha NE 68183-1100 402-444-5000 mayorstothert@cityofomaha.org https://twitter.com/Jean_Stothert www.facebook.com/jean.stothert |
If you have any questions, contact us at centerstreetactionteam@gmail.com
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IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
We recognize that the idea of narrowing Center Street means change… we will all have to drive a bit slower through the area and traffic patterns will change as we shift our commutes to 32nd Ave, 42nd St., and Leavenworth. However, through our work and research, we believe that the benefits to our neighborhood far outweigh these adjustments.
We hope that you agree, but if you are uncertain about anything or believe we may have overlooked an important concern, please contact us at centerstreetactionteam@gmail.com, visit our Facebook group, or call Kim Howe directly at 312-720-9546!
Our commitment as neighbors is to listen to what our community is saying, research your questions and concerns, share what we’ve learned, and try to represent your wishes as best as we can. So please talk with us! Everything you tell us helps us do this better.
Our meetings are always open, and we’re very happy to answer questions, share documents, or walk the street with you anytime!
We recognize that the idea of narrowing Center Street means change… we will all have to drive a bit slower through the area and traffic patterns will change as we shift our commutes to 32nd Ave, 42nd St., and Leavenworth. However, through our work and research, we believe that the benefits to our neighborhood far outweigh these adjustments.
We hope that you agree, but if you are uncertain about anything or believe we may have overlooked an important concern, please contact us at centerstreetactionteam@gmail.com, visit our Facebook group, or call Kim Howe directly at 312-720-9546!
Our commitment as neighbors is to listen to what our community is saying, research your questions and concerns, share what we’ve learned, and try to represent your wishes as best as we can. So please talk with us! Everything you tell us helps us do this better.
Our meetings are always open, and we’re very happy to answer questions, share documents, or walk the street with you anytime!
Your friends and neighbors on the Center Street Action Team
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How You Can HelpThe city isn't used to this kind of neighbor-driven effort, and the issues are complex. However, we see a number of places where you can help by expressing your support to those who are in place to make decisions.
First, take a little time to learn about the issues on the strategy page. 1. Urge the city to allocate funding for a road diet and comprehensive plan for the street redesign We have already gotten approval for the road diet (yay! that was a year-long project!). However, the issue now is funding and prioritization. Contact the Mayor's Office and Public Works and kindly tell them:
2. Express your support for rezoning to NBD Rezoning must be requested by the actual property owners on Center Street, but the city wants to be sure neighbors will not oppose the change. Show that you support the change... Contact the Planning Department and kindly tell them:
3. Express your support for CRA designation, so Center Street can be eligible for TIF funds We have already asked Councilman Jerram to start the 8-month process of pursuing CRA designation, which would open the door to TIF funds. However, the city needs to know that the neighborhood supports this designation. Show that you support the change... Contact the Planning Department and kindly tell them:
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