As Hendrix's plan began to evolve it was obvious that more students would be crossing Harkrider. (their Health and Wellness Facility will be on the other side as well as expanded athletic fields) The roundabout offers a safe way to cross Harkrider. It will accomodate the traffic as well if not better than a signalized intersection. It will be much more attractive. It is literally hundreds of times safer to the motorist. Finally, it's not going to cost the taxpayers of Conway, Faulkner County, or Arkansas any additional money. (The project was already funded)
The city could do these more often were right-of-way costs not often prohibitive. Where traffic counts permit and geometrics allow they are the best way to intersect traffic. Hendrix was willing to donate the right-of-way to get the preferred roadway product. I wish more "developers" would follow their lead.
[. . .]
I am aware of the existing pedestrian bridge. I am aware that it is sorely underused thanks to its design and location. I am also aware that it leads to the very fitness center that is being torn down and rebult several hundred feet south.
Gates' position is that these roundabouts will make it safer for students to cross so they will not have to use the existing pedestrian bridge is exactly what we are complaining about. This project will only benefit Hendrix by allowing them to stifle traffic so they can expand their campus. We seriously doubt that planning, feasibility studies, right-of-way acquisitions, and the building of something as big as these roundabouts will not cost any additional monies as Gates is suggesting.
In the early planning of this project is was reported that not only would Harkrider be divided as it goes through Hendrix but there would also be parallell parking along the right side of the street. From the Log Cabin last January 30thThe final master plan for Hendrix includes creating tree-lined medians on Harkrider as it goes through the college, with two-lanes on each side and parking along the street.
Architect Andr's Duany, co-founder of DPZ, said the speed would be reduced to 27 miles per hour, so cars drive closer together and it is "more efficient."
So not only will drivers have to contend with the roundabouts and a speed reduction to around 27 MPH, they will have to dodge cars pulling out of the parking lane or backing in to park.
In two articles, {1} {2}, from the Profile, the Hendrix College newspaper, it is confirmed that the only purpose for this addition of roundabouts and on-street parking will to benefit the college.
President Cloyd was reported saying "This slower traffic will make it much easier and safer for students to cross Harkrider without using the footbridge," and of the Academic Village which, according to the articles, is keyed on 'taming' Harkrider, Cloyd added. "I think it will be a great thing for students," Cloyd said. "It will have all of the amenities that are attractive to students."
So again we ask why is our tax dollars being used to fund a project that will only benefit a private institution and can only harm traffic throughout the city.
7 comments:
Why is they, indeed.
*chokes*
A divided harkrider with a speed limit of 27 and PARALLEL PARKING LANES?!
-_-
If I didn't already have so little faith in city planning here, I would call you a liar. Instead, I guess you're just the messenger with the bad news.
We have to prevent this. It's ridiculous.
That style works for CBC because it's only a few blocks long and not on a state highway. This will not work for Hendrix it will bog traffic all around the city. And considering that is the only main highway to that side of town this should be shot down with a gaggle of rocket launchers!
Has anyone considered the fact that Hendrix students and alumni, while small in number, tend to be fairly affluent and have disposable income to spend in our fair city?
Maybe cutting the college a break ,when it and its sutdents and alumni spend so much money here, might not be a bad idea...It's not like they're asking the city to participate in some pinko/liberal idea like converting to the metric system.
I had lunch with Max Brantley yesterday at the Flying Fish. I told him not to waste his blog space referring to this blog anymore. It's boring, seldom changes, and deletes posts with which it doesn't agree. He agreed. See'ya!
I had lunch with Max Brantley yesterday at the Flying Fish. I told him not to waste his blog space referring to this blog anymore. It's boring, seldom changes, and deletes posts with which it doesn't agree. He agreed. See'ya!
While, if true, that would be unfortunate but how does that change the facts in this matter?
Besides blaming the problems at the city council on a particular gender is wrong and should be deleted. The Arkansas Times screens all of its comments and I'm sure they have had to refuse some posts for similar reasons.
Maybe cutting the college a break ,when it and its sutdents and alumni spend so much money here, might not be a bad idea...It's not like they're asking the city to participate in some pinko/liberal idea like converting to the metric system.
The wants of the affluent over the average citizen, doesn't the city already have too much of that going on? The city is growing at an alarming rate and developing in that area is probably needed but why disrupt traffic with a reduced speed and parallel parking just so college kids who refuse to use the bridge can cross the highway. Why not divide the highway and follow ULAR’s approach and build a fence. This would be a much safe and more productive approach, and it won’t cost taxpayers a single extra dime…
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