Downtown Greenway will benefit city
The following is a Counterpoint:
By Charles Flink
An editorial on June 22 suggests that the Downtown Greenway be separated from the transportation bond referendum because it is not a “conventional street” and therefore is assumed not to be a transportation solution.
The U.S. DOT, the Federal Highway Administration, N.C. DOT and the Greensboro DOT jointly recognize the tremendous value that a project like the Greenway has on the timely, safe and efficient travel of people. Section 1202 of the Transportation Equity Act recommends that all transportation projects incorporate bicycling and walking into conventional project development.
A 1999 FHWA memorandum to engineers across the nation “reaffirms our commitment to improving conditions for bicycling and walking,” and states “non-motorized modes are an integral part of the mission and critical element of local, regional and national transportation systems.”
A 2000 policy of the N.C. Board of Transportation “strongly reaffirms (our) commitment to improving conditions for bicycling and walking” and encourages North Carolina cities to make bicycling and walking an integral part of transportation systems. Greensboro adopted a Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenway Master Plan in which the Downtown Greenway was defined as a high-priority project and important for addressing residents’ unmet transportation needs.
The Downtown Greenway is an essential component of transportation infrastructure. As it is developed, it will offer non-motorized, nonpolluting, healthy and affordable transportation for thousands of residents. It will become as valuable as any given street in the city.
With high gas prices, Greensboro voters deserve the opportunity to vote for an “unconventional” transportation solution that provides a fair choice in commuting among popular destinations.
The Greenway is a valued element of the transportation bond and is much needed at a time when our conventional “pay at the pump” alternative is rapidly escalating beyond the reasonable financial means of community residents.
Charles Flink is president of Greenways, Inc., in Durham, which helped develop the Downtown Greenway plan.
Comments (3)
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I'm sure Mr. Flink thinks anything that puts more money in HIS pockets is a good idea for Greensboro but let's put first things first:
The east Greensboro business I currently work for is on file with GPD as having been broken into 42 times in the last 3 years but "city leaders" can't seem to find enough money to hire adequate numbers of police officers.
And yet there's always $10 million dollars lying around to build something.
Police first, development second. Make Greensboro the safest city in America and the rest will come knocking down our doors.
Posted on July 4, 2008 6:38 AM
I'd also like to point out that the designers have failed to meet the following:
"The U.S. DOT, the Federal Highway Administration, N.C. DOT and the Greensboro DOT jointly recognize the tremendous value that a project like the Greenway has on the timely, safe and efficient travel of people. Section 1202 of the Transportation Equity Act recommends that all transportation projects incorporate bicycling and walking into conventional project development."
99% of Greensboro will be unable to actually use the greenway for transportation to anywhere. Give us sidewalks and bicycle lanes we can actually us to get to and from work.
Posted on July 5, 2008 9:13 AM
To underscore the value of the Downtown Greenway project, it should be voted separately in the upcoming bond referendum.
Posted on July 5, 2008 5:27 PM