Update on 32nd Avenue by Jim Clements

There has been a lot of discussion in our neighborhood area regarding options to slow down traffic on 32nd Avenue. The City has proposed a protected bike lane on 32nd Avenue from Woolworth to Wrights Streets, as it would narrow the traffic lanes to slow down traffic. The protected bike lane was also proposed because 32nd Avenue is on the 20 mile bike-loop plan which means that the City is planning on installing a bike lane on 32nd Avenue no matter what approach is used. The light at 32nd and Martha is also to be removed by the City as it does not meet federal guidelines and will not be replaced along 32nd Avenue. These are the realities  we are dealing with.

Unless there is a consensus directive from our neighborhood based on the actual options on the table, the City will resurface the street in 2015 and paint a bike lane. Based on that fact,  the Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association felt it was important to engage Public Works and Councilman Chris Jerram to determine what exact options were on the table so that, as a neighborhood, we could decide what was best for the neighborhood. Those options are (1) the protected bike lane or (2) a painted bike lane on the east and west side of the 32nd Avenue with curb bump out (where the curb bump outs would go has not been determined until Public Works does further studies)  0r, (3) just resurface the street and paint on bike lanes. With that knowledge we have, over the last few months, done what we could to communicate these options to the neighborhood, explaining the benefits of the options and also asking questions of Public Works to get a better sense of their plans. We have also passed out flyers to those residents on 32nd Avenue that would be most affected by any change as they live on the 32nd Avenue. At this point, every soon (during week of May 11 to 18) an e-mail survey will be sent out asking paid neighborhood association members and also those residents affected on 32nd Avenue to identify which options they are in favor of, (1) the protected bike lane, (2) painted bike lanes with curb bump outs or (3) neither. We will also call the residents on 32nd Avenue that we do not have e-mail addresses, but have telephone numbers to make sure their voice is heard. Once the survey has been conducted,  we will communicate that to Public Works and also share with the neighborhood association. If you choose not to participate in this process, you can voice your opinion to Councilman Chris Jerram. Also, Our Lady of Lourdes will be making a determination  so if you have an opinion, I would communicate to them as they will be instrumental in what happens on 32nd Avenue.  Please be a part of this decision-making process.  We want your voice to be heard!!!