The MPO has looked into this in great detail and I would guess that the folks from WVDOH that will be at the meeting were involved in those conversations as well. My impression is that moving the steam lines and other utilities under University Ave are probably more costly than the improvements that would be made.
The grade does not allow for lowering the road but the most cost-effective measure would be a combination of lowering the roadway and then raising the pedestrian mall up to a level at grade with the entrance to the Mountainlair. The problem here is on the other side of University where the grade drops off again to head down to E. Moore Hall and the other buildings. The issues that could not be resolved at the time with this concept was how to screen off pedestrians from just crossing at any point like they do now. Do you put fences or hedges up that steer people to use the overpass?
The one thing that was looked at more than anything was to make Grumbeins Island a pedestrian only mall with movable bollards for emergency vehicles and to route traffic around the Mountainlair using Price, Willey, and Maiden Lane all as two-way travel lanes. This was in conjunction with a widening of Beechurst so I don't know if the travel models would raise red flags - my guess is that they would.
Look at the bottom of page 15 here (http://www.plantogether.org/documents/consultants/Roadway Alternatives Summary.pdf) for summaries of both these items. This is from the initial screening of projects during the last plan at the MPO.
Not an easy solution by any means.
Chet
On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 1:50 PM, Director director@positivespin.org wrote:
Good morning, I concur (and have suggested previously) that the current street level should be turned into a mezzanine with the roadway lowered to allow vehicles through underneath, and regulated to a speed that permits safe sharing with bikes. As far as moving utilities, I suggest they do it - or at least get an honest estimate of what it would cost to do it. Half-measures and ineffective solutions are expensive too.
Nick
On 1/28/2011 2:37 PM, Frank Gmeindl wrote:
Bicycle Board Members,
Any ideas for improving Grumbein's Island for cycists?
Frank
Begin forwarded message:
*From: *Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board walkmgw@yahoo.com *Date: *January 28, 2011 2:15:48 PM EST *To: *Frank Gmeindl frank.gmeindl@comcast.net, Christiaan Abildso < cgabildso@mail.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson randerson@hsc.wvu.edu, Jon Bond < jbond3@mix.wvu.edu>, Ilana Chertok ichertok@hsc.wvu.edu, Stan Cohen < Stanley.Cohen@mail.wvu.edu>, Chuck Coole ccoole@hsc.wvu.edu, Jan Derry < jderry@nwvcil.org>, Dave Harshbarger harshbargerd@wvuh.com, Dwight Harshbarger dwight.harshbarger@gmail.com, George Lilley < mgranlil@verizon.net>, Regina Mayolo reginam@verizon.net, Jon Miltenberger kokiri4ever@msn.com, Jennifer Noori < thenoorinater@gmail.com>, Bill Reger-Nash wreger@hsc.wvu.edu, Jonathan Rosenbaum freesource@cheat.org, Jimmie Simmons Jsimmons2642@yahoo.com, David Small dsmall1@mix.wvu.edu, Maria Smith mariasmith@busride.org, Don Spencer dspencer36@comcast.net, Martha Summers msummers@hsc.wvu.edu, Angela Wiley wileya120@gmail.com *Subject: **Grumbein's Island meeting*
Fellow pedestrian advocates. I have been invited to attend a meeting with many constituencies to discuss the future of Grumbein's Island (pedestrian area in front of Mountainlair) next Friday at 10:00 AM. The invitees include: Terry Hough - City Don Spencer - City Roy Nutter - City Christaan Abildso - City Bryan Radabaugh - State Alanna Slack - State Perry Keller - State Bill Austin - Mgtn/Mon MPO Rick Colebank - Alpha Assoc Chuck Branch - Alpha Assoc Charlie Luttrell - Alpha Assoc Rob Moyer - WVU Nelson France - WVU Student Bob Merow - WVU Hugh Kierig - WVU
Please submit any suggestions prior to that meeting. Frank, I could especially use some bicycle design ideas for that area (I've also requested that you be invited). Best, Christiaan
*Walk more, safely*
*Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board*
*Christiaan Abildso, Chair*
*Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair*
*http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm*http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm
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