I have number of things to pass on to neighborhood residents. The first being that Governor Tommy Thompson announced on 8/15/00 the approval of 71 Surface Transportation Program Enhancement and Discretionary awards totaling $18 million to help complete a variety of transportation-related projects across the state including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, bike planning and safety initiatives, the restoration of historic transportation facilities, and community beautification efforts. This included the Johnson St. Pedestrian/Bike Underpass at the Yahara River for a total of $720,000
Governor Thompson said that, "Along with enhancing the state’s transportation network, completion of these projects will promote tourism, boost the economy, and make our local communities even more attractive for residents and visitors." The enhancement and discretionary awards represent federal Surface Transportation Program funds distributed to local public sponsors with most of the awards requiring a 20% local share.
The funded projects were evaluated based on federal and state eligibility criteria, metropolitan planning organization priorities and recommendations made to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation secretary by a ten-person review committee. Committee members included state lawmakers, officials from several state agencies, and private citizens.
This is good news for all of the near Eastside neighborhoods. The pedestrian/bike underpass will prove to be both an added safety feature for residents and a nice asthetic touch to the Yahara Riverway.
Speaking of safety, remember The Pedestrian Zone Campaign/Walk Our Children To School Week coming in October. Look for the accompanying article from Cheryl Wittke, of the Greater Madison Safe Community Coalition, included in this newsletter. Having a walkable, safe neighborhood, such as ours, adds to the enjoyment of living here. So join us for Safe Kids/Walkable Neighborhoods: Walk Our Children to School Week/Pedestrian Zone Campaign October 2 - 6, 2000.
Here is an item that can relate to the safety and enjoyment issue. In our neighborhood at the moment, the issue of where dogs are and are not allowed, or should and should not be allowed is a subject of some disagreement, particularly in the case of Giddings Park. As far as I can see, Giddings Park is not a City park where dogs are allowed at this time. Apparently the sign designating the status of dogs at Giddings has been torn down so I contacted Si Widstrand, the Parks Commission staff contact to clarify the point for me and neighborhood residents.
Mr. Widstand responded that there are 4 off-leash dog exercise areas in the city. Their distances from Lapham are: Brittingham 1.5 miles, Quann 3 miles, Warner 3 miles, Sycamore 4 miles. He reported that there are 12 designated on-leash areas in the city, the closest being Yahara River-Burr Jones and Demetral. He also said that it was his belief that the Parks staff and committee would be interested in new off-leash locations where there is a neighborhood consensus and staff thinks it can work. However, he went on to say that the committee's highest priority is to find a west side site, because the far west edge of the city is now 7-8 miles from the nearest off-leash area at Quann Park.
If you have feelings either way on this issue, please contact me or any member of the TLNA council or the Parks Dept. at 266-4711.Information about areas in parks (including Dane Co. parks) that allow dogs ('free' or leashed) can be found via the City Parks website at http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/parks/Parks_Gen/geninfo.htmor
At last months TLNA Council meeting, two motions pertaining to the routing of fiber optic cables at Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood were passed unanimously.
MOTION 1:
To recommend the city adopt new policies to insure the prior notification of residents affected by the installation of any private utility lines or other construction. This policy should include: requiring the city to provide reasonable prior notice to affected residents or requiring private companies to provide prior notice to affected residents as part of the permitting process; and require the city to hold a public hearing prior to any permit approvals.
To recommend Alderperson Barbara Vedder draft and introduce an ordinance to this effect or aggressively pursue a change in city policy to this effect.
MOTION 2:
That fiber-optic routes be placed in non-residential areas if at all possible and appropriate.
We hope that these motions plus the response by neighborhood residents to incidents occuring during the recent utility work in our neighborhood will prompt the city to bring their plans to the neighborhood with enough time to allow for input by us and give us an opportunity to voice our objections where we feel necessary.
-Tim Olsen, TLNA President