Because you asked
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Originally published 09:13 a.m., May 3, 2008
Updated 09:13 a.m., May 3, 2008
Q Why did the city build extra-wide sidewalks along South Avenue from around the Santa Fe’s old property to Prairie Streeet. I never see much foot traffic there. Why didn’t the sidewalks get installed, instead, in the hilly area along West 30th Avenue from Timmerman Elementary to Prairie Street? Many, many schoolchildren and walkers are out on 30th Avenue and they walk in the street, without benefit of sidewalks.
A The South Avenue sidewalks are part of the city’s master plan for hiking and biking paths that connect the community, especially schools and parks, according to City Manager Mark Zimmerman. The plan also includes a project that later will stretch along 30th Avenue.
Zimmerman said that the hike-and-bike path along South Avenue has to be 8 to 10 feet wide to meet federal standards.
“We are hopiong that more residents from the south side of the community use it to get to Las Casitas Park, shopping and dining on Sixth Avenue and to work, particularly at Tyson’s,” Zimmerman said. “Unfortunately, the project was let and mostly built before the Tyson reduction in workforce.”
The hike-and-bike path planned on 30th Avenue is intended to run from Prairie Street to Americus Road.
“Construction will be based on available funding, and when 30th west of Graphic Arts is annexed into the city,” Zimmerman said.
Comments
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Posted by brutus1998 (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone ever stop to think that there hasn't been much foot traffic along south avenue because there hasn't been adequate sidewalk to walk on? There is no reason why the city cannot improve sidewalks on this side of town. The people who reside on the south and east side of town would like to see the larger sidewalks installed. Why must everything be available to only the "richer side of town"? As a tax paying resident who lives on this side of town, I have to say, I am very glad the city did invest in some improvement on this road. Anyone who has tried to walk south ave out of recreation or necessity can tell you, it was simply unsafe. I have heard from many neighbors and friends that they are equally delighted. Good job city!
Posted by brutus1998 (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to jump on a soap box. I would like to clarify that I think it's great that the city came up with a master plan to "connect the city" with these sidewalks all over town which will connect parks and communities, and NOT just on one particular side of town. :)
Posted by booker5m (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does this mean all jogger will now use the side walks or keep running in the streets?
Posted by zippy (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have wondered for a year or two why during the downtown improvements of sidewalks, landscaping and lighting, did it not extend south of the tracks? There are businesses there too. When will Commercial Street south of the tracks get those improvements?? Anyone with answers?
I am so glad to see some improvements in my old neighborhood. When travelers come in to our city from the south, it would be so nice for them to drive thru the city in any direction and see how nice and well maintained our community is. Yeah, for the sidewalks and improvements on South Ave!
I am excited to see all the happenings at Peter Pan Park too. This park was neglected for so many years and it is really shaping up quite nicely in the last few years. Yeah again!
As a community, we need to think about the whole town and not just focus on certain areas exclusively. Areas in poor shape should be priority for the city and volunteer groups needing projects. Where can we sign up to help?
Posted by create (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
zippy, call KVOE for contact information. They have been advertising for volunteers, experienced or not, to build a new playground at Peter Pan Park.
Posted by create (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here you go, zippy, this will give you the info I spoke about. It's today by the way. Grab your hammer.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/events/200...
Posted by momus (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Zippy,
Some improvements have been made south of the tracks, but to extend the exact improvements from downtown would have required significant investment in storm drains, curb and guttering and other improvements. Simply put, it is the difference between rehabilitation of pre-existing infrastructure versus the construction of new infrastructure. It seems that new infrastructure investments have been confined to the west part of town over the past few years. I would agree that we need to improve what we have (especially inlets), but rehabilitation of existing infrastructure and older community sectors has been a consistently lower priority than new expansion over the past few years within our city leadership structure.
Posted by bellabrooke (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When, pray tell, might some of these improvements happen in established neighborhoods? It'd be nice to take my children for a walk without feeling like I'm off-roading the stroller, or having to go in the street due to lack of sidewalks?
Posted by momus (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bella,
You would have to ask the city about that... I think it is more important to take care of what you already have FIRST, but I think I may be in the minority on that issue.
Posted by kansasdman (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If one would pay attention to the city commission meetings one would know all about this. There was quite a bit of discussion surrounding this before it was approved.
Posted by bellabrooke (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Momus,
My neighborhood is an older one, with horrendeous sidewalks, or no longer existant ones as they have eroded away, or weeds have overtaken them. Let's indeed focus on what we have and make them usable.
Posted by orlando (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This sidewalk to me is in the same category as the one by the fairgrounds. Who is using it? Enough people to justify the expense? There are so many other infrastructure problems that should be a bigger priority. South Avenue does have a sidewalk on the south side of the street, and now also has this really nice wide one on the north side. And the sidewalk we just had to have over I-35 on Prairie--haven't seen that used very much.
I do see people walking along the new sidewalk on West 30th, and it is much safer than walking along that street. When West 30th was redone from Prairie to Holiday Resort, it should have been widened but wasn't; that needs to be done. The traffic on that street has risen dramatically with the housing boom there, plus the placement of Timmerman school. Traffic studies are done prior to building roads/streets. Seems it should be done prior to sidewalks being put in also.
Posted by brutus1998 (anonymous) on May 15, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Orlando,
I see people walking on South ave now all the time, I travel that road a few times a day. I myself have now started to use the new sidewalks. South Ave does have a sidewalk on the south side of the street but It stops near the park. Maybe they will improve the sidewalks of which you speak too. I just don't understand why people complain about improvements on this side of town. It's an improvement for EMPORIA. The south and east side residents have few options for safe recreation. The north side has better sidewalks and even has a fitness trail they can utilize. Stop hating. Be happy it is an improvement for somebody.
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