Midtown Design Options....my point of view.

It's really not that hard folks.  Here's what I came up with in about 20 minutes using streetmix.net.  It fits protected bike lanes, bus stops, trees, and parking.  Yep, we give up some parking.  And we make the whole road work better!

One lane each direction....center island...that would have turn lanes at "significant" intersections.  Still room for protected bike lanes and 6-14 foot sidewalks.  And the six foot "narrow" sidewalk is only at bus stations.

Where there aren't bus stops....put in a tree, parklet, benches, or wider sidewalks!

Or heck....even add back in some parking.  Yes, I realize the car would have to cross the bike lane to park. 

Perhaps a bi-directional bike lane.  Then the bus stop/tree/parking spots on the left side are more accessible?

 So....come on RTC.  Let's put some options on the table like this!

Virginia Street Design Throwdown and Great Streets Coalition!

As I rolled up to the Virginia St. meeting last night I saw what is starting to be a very regular sight at public meetings when street planning is on the agenda....piles of bikes!

You know it's going to be fun when the bike racks are full and bikes are locked up to every pole in sight!  The meeting itself was no less entertaining. 

Over a year ago we saw "design options" for Midtown and we were to post stickers on the options we liked.  The strongest sentiment by far showed up on the designs with bike lanes and expanded sidewalks.  And it wasn't even close....like 75 percent of the stickers were biking and walking favored option.

Last night we were presented with three updated design options.....not a single one included a bike lane (although wider side walks were there)....but have no fear not a single parking spot was lost.  The response during comment time was rather pointed.  Well over an hour of continuous comments basically all requesting the bike lanes and a large number of comments asking for a Great Street not just a complete street.  Even better these comments came from both cyclists and business owners!

This leads us into the Great Streets movement.  A coalition was recently formed to hold the City of Reno and RTC to the right path on this project.  After all....we won't get a shot at it again for 20+ years.  The Great Streets Coalition is just getting off the ground....but if you want to join in and help make Reno a great town to live in please check out the statement and links below:

Help shape the future of Virginia St. (Midtown to UNR).

**From RTCWashoe.com**

COMMUNITY INVITED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS AND IDEAS ON VIRGINIA STREET’S FUTURE

The RTC is inviting the community to provide comments and ideas on the future of Virginia Street as part of the Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project.  Two meetings will be held for the public to review preliminary designs for Virginia Street.  The designs feature proposed improvements for Virginia Street from Maple Street to 15th Street near the University of Nevada, Reno and from Liberty Street to Plumb Lane in Midtown.

The proposed enhancements include: wider sidewalks, new bike lanes and extending RAPID bus service north to UNR with new transit stations and intersection improvements.  The project is also intended to better connect the University to Downtown Reno and Downtown to points south including Midtown.  The extension of RTC RAPID would eliminate the need for a transfer at RTC 4TH STREET STATION to UNR, saving travelers’ valuable time.  The project will also support economic growth and redevelopment along Virginia Street and throughout the region.  Additionally, it will help create a safer community that is accessible to everyone under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

While the same information will be presented at both meetings, the public is welcome to attend one or both events.  Free parking is available at both meetings.

For more information on this project, go to http://rtcwashoe.com and click on Streets and Highways, then Road Projects.

Community Information Meeting One (served by RTC RAPID)
Tuesday, April 14
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
The Discovery Museum
490 South Center Street
Reno, NV 89501

Community Information Meeting Two (served by RTC SIERRA SPIRIT and RTC RIDE route 7)
Wednesday, April 15
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
University of Nevada, Reno, Raggio Building, room 4001
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503