ABetterShreveport Monday Meeting on the steps of Hurley Music Hall

A TRANSPORTATION-FOCUSED MEETING

In Attendance: Jack Waterman, Robert Trudeau, Annie Blazer (our soon to be newest resident of Shreveport and Centenary Professor!), Craig (local IT business partner), Jennette Ginsberg, Feico Kempff, Randy Ross

RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S MEETING WITH SHREVEPORT COMMON AND SRAC

It was noted to follow up on Loren's point to make public the 50 or so interviews that the Shreveport Common Team have conducted. Without public meeting minutes, the team is participating in back-door urban planning which took place during the urban renewal ages and still happens in some cases today. Another comment that was made is to emphasize Steph Pedro's point to integrate the plan strategies into existing resources that we already possess as a community today. Our community has a lot to offer in terms of infrastructure, land, skill sets, and investment potential, but the will to utilize them is still bleak. Robert Trudeau is going to invite Wendy Benscoter, Project Manager for Shreveport Common, to the radio show next week. Jennette and Jack have volunteered to join them as well.

YOUREE DRIVE/E. KINGS INTERSECTION AND E. KINGS/SHREVEPORT BARKSDALE INTERSECTION DESIGN IS UNDERWAY

BUT NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS, COUNTDOWN SIGNALS, OR BIKE REFUGES ARE INCLUDED!!!

Two ABetterShreveport members are attempting to acquire the design drawings of the Youree Drive/E. Kings Hwy intersection. The E. Kings/Shreveport Barksdale intersection design has been provided by Andrew Zagars, City of Shreveport Engineering Department. The Youree Drive/E. Kings Intersection design has been offered to view only at the City office. Representative Carmody has been notified of the City's reluctance to send a pdf of the Youree Drive/E. Kings Intersection design and ABetterShreveport is waiting for his response. Also included in the letter to Rep. Carmody is the statement: We strongly believe that pedestrian countdown signals are needed at this intersection in order to cross safely. Many pedestrians are crossing the intersection with children at their own risk today.

Robert Trudeau has offered to shoot a short video this Friday to further explain the issue and importance of creating a walkable environment for our citizens when we invest public dollars into road construction.

Our new summer design intern, Jack Waterman, has offered to integrate bike and pedestrian facilities into the drawing once it is acquired. We are seeking to request a public meeting to openly discuss the use of DOTD's new legislation called Complete Streets. DOTD's Complete Streets Policy states that restricting non-motorized access should not be considered as an appropriate strategy with the exception of those limited access facilities where pedestrians and bicyclists are prohibited. http://www.dotd.la.gov/administration/policies/Signed_Complete_Streets_Policy_20100718.pdf

City Engineering is currently checking into whether Youree, E. Kings, and Shreveport Barksdale are limited access facilities. Since there are bus stops along all three corridors, pedestrians are currently permitted to be on the corridors.

RELOCATING AN UNUSED PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE TO BAYOU PIERRE!

An update was given to the group for the status of relocating one of the pedestrian bridges attached to the Sheriff's Marina to Bayou Pierre near Woodlawn (behind the baseball fields at Centenary). A ABetterShreveporter took some pics of the bridge and sent to Ron Norwood, Chief Engineer, City of Shreveport, for review. His response was that ABS should hire a structural engineer to verify the sound relocation and ensure that it will not impede the flow of the bayou for this public pedestrian bridge that will connect two neighborhoods in Shreveport. City Engineering also needs a canvas of both neighborhoods to ensure that there is a willingness for the pedestrian bridge.

TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS

Every other year, DOTD offers all communities in Louisiana to apply for projects under the Transportation Enhancements Program (TEP). Examples of projects funded through TEP include, but are not limited to, sidewalks and bike paths, safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists, landscaping and other scenic beautification, and historic preservation.

ABetterShreveport is advocating for a levee trail that connects the MLK neighborhood along 12-mile Bayou to downtown. Another project mentioned was a bike path connecting the SWEPCO Park in Allendale to downtown. Lee Jidders of the Fuller Center for Housing was mentioned as a contact for that potential project.

NEW SUMMER INTERN

Jack Waterman, a Tulane architecture student, is joining us for the summer to help brand ABetterShreveport and provide design work for us. He will also be interning at a local architectural firm. His interests include downtown, bike and pedestrian designs, and an online resource library for urban best practices that apply to Shreveport. The resource library is anticipated to have a video for viewers to quickly get into the same mindset as ABetterShreveport members have and provide an enlightenment system to all.

DOG PARK UPDATE

The Shreveport Dog Park Alliance (an ABS committee) is patiently waiting on approval of Hamel Park as Shreveport's first dog park. Once the City Council passes a resolution approving the site, fundraising from the big donors can begin. The City through SPAR is also working on a new design at Hamel that incorporates the higher elevation areas on the north side of the park.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Robert Trudeau noted that in three weeks City Council Chair, Oliver Jenkins, will join us on Time for ABetterShreveport, our weekly radio show airing Mondays at 5pm, 91.3.

Robert also noted that he will be chairing the 3rd Annual Velo Dendro leisurely tree ride in October. It was noted to contact Shreveport Green as they are usually a partner in our event.

Monday is our next big Coates Bluff meeting at 201 Hurley on Centenary's campus. Please join us! It was noted that Sci-Port be invited to attend that meeting.