HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-29 Correspondence 6/29/00
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506 Terrace Road ' ";'
Iowa City, IA 52245
2000 f
City Council ~. JUl"~ :~ 3 2B~3
410 East Washin~on St.
Iowa City, IA 52240 ~ e!IY fa,...,,--" Oafmt
De~ Council Members,
Below you will find the main pan of a letter sent to ~ President Coleman on May 5th Of
this year. I've not yet been responded m. I hope my letter ~11 be appreciated by Council
members and that something will be done about the pedestrian situation described.
Sincerely,
Paul Broderick
506 Terrace Road
Iowa City, IA 52245
May 5, 2000
President Mary Sue Coleman
101 Jessup Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
Dear President Coleman,
As a fairly new employee of the Univexsity of Iowa, I first want to say that it is a pleasure
being a member of the staff and community. As a newcomer, I also recognize some
safety issues that need to be recognized and dealt with. For each item below I have in
mind practical ways that each can be handled, based on life and work experiences in
other towns, cities, and campuses. It would be awkward describing detailed remedies at
this point. For now I will generalize, but I would be happy to provide more detail if an
interest is expressed.
1. The intersection of Burlington and Madison Streets. At first glance this would
appear to be more the concern of the City of Iowa City than UI, however I believe it
would be in the best interest of the University and the well-being of it's employees,
students, etc. if communication and cooperation took place between officials
representing both the City of Iowa City and the UL Obviously, the decision was
made at one time to make both Burlington and Madison Streets 4 lanes with a double
yellow (and many other streets through the UI Campus). It appears that what was
not anticipated was that to the minds of most drivers, that means "highway" driving,
both in terms of speed and aggressiveness. Briefly, the green cross walk sign is not
long enough to get to the other side, particularly heading north and south across
Burlington Street. Drivers rarely give "right of way" to pedestrians, including the
drivers of CamBuses. (Last week I started across Burlington, heading north when a
County Sheriff van failed to stop before making "right on red" onto Madison going
South. Lucky for me, I jumped back in time to avoid being hit--a verifiable incident
that was indeed reported!). There should be NO RIGHT ON RED AT THAT
INTERSECTION! (In fact, there should be no right on red, at least at "peak" times
throughout campus and downtown. ) Madison and Burlington need to be
PATROLLED more heavily. Currently, there is little or no enforcement regarding
drivers speeding, running red and a host of other moving violations at the
Burlington/Madison intersection, in particular. After seeing several incidents at this
spot involving people on bicycles, and pedestrians and ambulances, I am convinced
that what is ultimately necessary is a skyway.
Sincerely,
Paul Broderick